Tuesday, May 13
Lawrence Business Magazine LLC
Lawrence Business Magazine LLC
2013 First Quarter - Community Banks

Downtown in Focus: Liberty Hall

By on 183 Comments
DOWNTOWN IN FOCUS
| First Quarter 2013 | story by DEREK HELMS | photos by STEVEN HERTZOG |

liberty

David Milstein is proud of Liberty Hall. As the tall, bearded Milstein sits in a casual conference room on the second floor of the iconic Lawrence venue, he smiles a lot. He says he likes thinking about the history of the building.

“We take a lot of pride in this building,” Milstein confesses. “It took a lot of work, but its all been worth it.”

projectorIn the mid-1980s Milstein had sold a large share of his surplus store, Sunflower (now Sunflower Outdoor and Bike) and he was looking for a project. A contractor by trade, he was actively searching for a project that could fulfill his desire to work with his hands.

Walking into the main theater area of Liberty Hall, it’s hard to picture the structure the way it was when Milstein bought it in 1985. According to him, it’s almost a totally different venue now. He had noticed a small classified ad for a “building for sale on Massachusetts Street.” Milstein call the listed number and met an agent a day later.

“Oh, it was rough,” Milstein says with an exhale. He leans back in his chair, looks to the ceiling, scratches his rough beard and shakes his head. “The first thing I noticed was the strong smell of stale beer, which wasn’t surprising considering the floor was covered with empty beer cans and bottles. A boxing ring was in the middle of the floor because apparently the night before a fraternity had hosted some boxing matches. The walls were painted black and the place was just in really bad shape.”

front_doorMost young entrepreneurs might have seen the condition of the building and have only seen the amount of money needed to invest. Not Milstein.

“Well,” he says as if he’s never about it before. “I guess when I saw the building, I felt like I was looking at my future. I saw a way to calm my need to work with my hands and help revive a great structure.”

Purchasing the building was a project in its own right. The previous owners had fallen on rough economic times and the building had multiple leans filed against it. Milstein worked with Charlie Oldfather to clear the leans and secure financing for the purchase. Then he got to work.

“I knew it was a project, but that was part of the draw,” Milstein says.

Renovation work was extensive and time consuming. Milstein estimates the work took 14 months to complete. Floors, walls, fixtures and electrical work were all replaced. The hall became, essentially, a brand new building. The huge murals that border each side of the stage were painted by friends in an effort to ground the building.

projector“We put the stars on the ceiling and the artists painted from the top down,” Milstein says. “Those pieces of art show the connection from the sky down to the earth. I think we get as many compliments on those as anything else we’ve done.”

The first event the new Liberty Hall hosted was memorable.

“It was the Brazilian club from KU,” Milstein recalls with a smile. “I’ll never forget it. They served passion punch, which was purple. We had brand new floors and carpet and all. I learned quickly the frustrations that come with running an event space.”

Milstein’s goal was always to make the hall a movie theater and live event space, but he never anticipated how tough things would be in the beginning. Profits were few and far between in the first few years of operation, but that never seemed to bother him.

“I used to say, ‘well, it can’t get worse,” he says with a loud laugh. “I guess it was just cock-eyed optimism, but I never doubted this would be a success.”

It soon became clear that independent movies and the occasional concert weren’t going to financially sustain the building. Milstein renovated what was an old bus depot into Free State Brewery and La Prima Tazza coffee shop (the coffee shop is part of the Liberty Hall property). He added the video store and began renting remaining retail space (now housing Lucky Paws Bakery and Be Moved Yoga Studio).

front_doorTwenty-eight years after purchasing the run down building, Milstein is proud of the bustling business. Despite the constant worry that something could go wrong with the building, he says profits are spread across all aspects of Liberty Hall, so no one aspect is pressured to cover another.

“By volume, the coffee shop produces the most profit,” Milstein explains. “Movie revenue and concessions make up a good portion of profits followed by video and movie rentals.”

Despite being lauded as one of the best venues for live music in the region, Milstein explains that concerts really don’t produce much profit.

“We rent the hall out about 120 nights a year, for various events,” he says. “If there is a performance, we get a set hall-rental price and the take from concession and alcohol sales.”

seatsMilstein says it hard for him to pick a favorite event Liberty Hall has hosted (when pressured, he says the Joan Baez shows have been great). In fact, he hardly ever attends events, especially movies.

“The last movie I saw here was about 20 years ago,” he says. “I couldn’t concentrate on the film because I was thinking about all the aspects of showing the movie.”

What David and wife Susan are most proud of are the people. Susan estimates the write 40-50 paychecks every pay period, mostly to part-time employees.

“But some of those people have worked here for 10 years or more,” she says with a broad smile.

Though not directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the venue, Milstein still works everyday.

“I’m more of a supervisor now,” he says. “I can’t not be involved. I care to much about this building and all the people working here.”

■

Share.

Related Posts

183 Comments

  1. Bonuses on

    Приятно видеть, что автор не делает однозначных выводов, а предоставляет читателям возможность самостоятельно анализировать представленные факты.

  2. pornv on

    It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I have read this publish and if I may just I want to suggest you few attention-grabbing issues or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more issues approximately it!

  3. таких on

    Я рад, что наткнулся на эту статью. Она содержит уникальные идеи и интересные точки зрения, которые позволяют глубже понять рассматриваемую тему. Очень познавательно и вдохновляюще!

  4. เจ๊หนิง on

    Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, amazing site!

  6. вот она on

    Hi there would you mind letting me know which web host you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a reasonable price? Thank you, I appreciate it!

  8. more on

    Я оцениваю использование автором разнообразных источников, чтобы подтвердить свои утверждения.

  9. he has a good point on

    Автор статьи постарался подать информацию без предвзятости, приведя разные аргументы и точки зрения.

  11. сцылко on

    Автор предоставляет подробные сведения и контекст, что помогает читателям лучше понять обсуждаемую тему.

  12. special info on

    My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be exactly I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write with regards to here. Again, awesome website!

  15. такое on

    Интересная статья, в которой представлены факты и анализ ситуации без явной предвзятости.

  16. view publisher site on

    Мне понравилась организация информации в статье, которая делает ее легко восприимчивой.

  17. official site on

    Я благодарен автору этой статьи за его тщательное и глубокое исследование. Он представил информацию с большой детализацией и аргументацией, что делает эту статью надежным источником знаний. Очень впечатляющая работа!

  19. такое on

    Читателям предоставляется возможность обдумать и обсудить представленные факты и аргументы.

  20. к примеру on

    Это помогает читателям осознать сложность проблемы и самостоятельно сформировать свое собственное мнение.

  21. more on

    Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and the rest of the website is extremely good.

  23. описалово on

    Автор статьи предлагает достоверные данные и факты, представленные в нейтральном ключе.

  24. такой вот on

    It’s actually a cool and useful piece of info. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  25. вот on

    Автор предлагает несколько точек зрения на проблему, что позволяет читателю сформировать свое мнение.

  27. вот здесь on

    Автор предлагает читателю дополнительные ресурсы для более глубокого изучения темы.

  29. web on

    Мне понравилась логика и четкость аргументации в статье.

  33. Check This Out on

    Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really know what you’re speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also discuss with my web site =). We will have a link trade arrangement between us

  35. читать далее on

    Я прочитал эту статью с огромным интересом! Автор умело объединил факты, статистику и персональные истории, что делает ее настоящей находкой. Я получил много новых знаний и вдохновения. Браво!

  40. вот что on

    Это позволяет читателям самостоятельно сформировать свое мнение и оценить представленные доводы.

  41. вот это on

    Автор предлагает аргументы, подкрепленные проверенными фактами и авторитетными источниками.

  43. вот такая on

    Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Many thanks

  44. this contact form on

    fantastic submit, very informative. I wonder why the opposite specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You must proceed your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!

  45. his comment is here on

    Очень хорошо структурированная статья! Я оцениваю ясность и последовательность изложения. Благодаря этому, я смог легко следовать за логикой и усвоить представленную информацию. Большое спасибо автору за такой удобный формат! Это сообщение отправлено с сайта https://ru.gototop.ee/

  47. статьи on

    Автор статьи представляет информацию без предвзятости, предоставляя различные точки зрения и факты.

  49. этого on

    Это помогает читателям получить полную картину и сделать собственные выводы.

  50. вот что on

    Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; we have created some nice methods and we are looking to trade solutions with other folks, be sure to shoot me an e-mail if interested.

  51. вот on

    Эта статья просто великолепна! Она представляет информацию в полном объеме и включает в себя практические примеры и рекомендации. Я нашел ее очень полезной и вдохновляющей. Большое спасибо автору за такую выдающуюся работу!

  54. checkatrade is best trade portal on

    Great post. I was checking constantly this blogand I am inspired! Extremely helpful information particularly the last section 🙂 I take care of such info much. I used to belooking for this particular info for a long time. Thanks and good luck.

  55. gen z trends on

    I learned more something totally new on this losing weight issue. One issue is that good nutrition is extremely vital if dieting. An enormous reduction in fast foods, sugary food items, fried foods, sweet foods, red meat, and bright flour products can be necessary. Possessing wastes unwanted organisms, and toxins may prevent ambitions for losing belly fat. While a number of drugs in the short term solve the matter, the awful side effects are usually not worth it, they usually never supply more than a non permanent solution. It can be a known fact that 95 of fad diets fail. Thank you for sharing your notions on this site.

  57. london toilet removal on

    Hi , I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbled upon it on Yahoo , i will come back once again. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and help other people.!!!!Loading…

  64. stake promo codes on

    Hi there! This post couldn’t be written much better! Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this. I most certainly will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he’s going to have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!

  66. stake us no deposit bonus on

    The next time I read a blog, I hope that it won’t disappoint me just as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually believed you’d have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something you could fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.

  67. career and business on

    Thank you, I have just been looking for information approximately this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far. But, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you certain concerning the supply?

  70. learn the facts here now on

    Я оцениваю тщательность и точность исследования, представленного в этой статье. Автор провел глубокий анализ и представил аргументированные выводы. Очень важная и полезная работа!

  72. you can try these out on

    I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100 positive. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Kudos

  75. useful reference on

    Автор представил широкий спектр мнений на эту проблему, что позволяет читателям самостоятельно сформировать свое собственное мнение. Полезное чтение для тех, кто интересуется данной темой.

  76. see here now on

    Статья представляет широкий спектр точек зрения на проблему, что способствует более глубокому пониманию.

  79. держи on

    Читателям предоставляется возможность ознакомиться с различными аспектами темы и сделать собственные выводы.

  80. другой on

    Статья является информативной и предоставляет различные факты и аргументы.

  81. например. on

    It’s amazing to visit this web site and reading the views of all mates regarding this piece of writing, while I am also eager of getting familiarity.

  82. web link on

    My brother recommended I may like this website. He was entirely right. This publish truly made my day. You can not believe simply how so much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!

  83. see here on

    Автор статьи предоставляет информацию, подкрепленную исследованиями и доказательствами, без выражения личных предпочтений. Это сообщение отправлено с сайта https://ru.gototop.ee/

  86. alpha tonic on

    Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this information together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  87. читать on

    Я хотел бы выразить свою восторженность этой статьей! Она не только информативна, но и вдохновляет меня на дальнейшее изучение темы. Автор сумел передать свою страсть и знания, что делает эту статью поистине уникальной.

  88. menosoothe on

    Right here is the right site for anybody who would like to find out about this topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a subject that has been written about for a long time. Excellent stuff, just excellent.

  89. ссылка на страницу on

    Я восхищен глубиной исследования, которое автор провел для этой статьи. Его тщательный подход к фактам и анализу доказывает, что он настоящий эксперт в своей области. Большое спасибо за такую качественную работу!

  90. пишут on

    I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Superb work!

  91. смотрим on

    Статья является информативной и предоставляет различные факты и аргументы.

  92. статья on

    Я оцениваю использование автором качественных и достоверных источников для подтверждения своих утверждений.

  93. go right here on

    Это позволяет читателям анализировать представленные факты самостоятельно и сформировать свое собственное мнение.

  95. здесь on

    Я только что прочитал эту статью, и мне действительно понравилось, как она написана. Автор использовал простой и понятный язык, несмотря на тему, и представил информацию с большой ясностью. Очень вдохновляюще!

  96. see this site on

    Читателям предоставляется возможность ознакомиться с фактами и самостоятельно сделать выводы.

  97. thomson view residences on

    Having read this I thought it was really enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.

  99. держи on

    Автор предоставляет актуальную информацию, которая помогает читателю быть в курсе последних событий и тенденций.

  101. вот тут on

    Статья помогла мне лучше понять контекст и значение проблемы в современном обществе.

  103. там on

    It is truly a nice and helpful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  112. этими on

    Статья предлагает глубокий анализ проблемы, рассматривая ее со всех сторон.

  114. вот это on

    Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Cheers

  115. useful content on

    Читателям предоставляется возможность самостоятельно рассмотреть и проанализировать информацию.

  116. review on

    Hello to every body, it’s my first visit of this weblog; this webpage includes awesome and actually good data designed for visitors.

  120. этого списка on

    Just desire to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your post is simply cool and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.

  122. imp source on

    Я очень доволен, что прочитал эту статью. Она не только предоставила мне интересные факты, но и вызвала новые мысли и идеи. Очень вдохновляющая работа, которая оставляет след в моей памяти!

  124. try this site on

    Статья содержит дополнительные ресурсы для тех, кто хочет глубже изучить тему.

  125. official website on

    Читатели имеют возможность ознакомиться с разными точками зрения и самостоятельно оценить информацию.

  128. этим on

    Я оцениваю систематическое представление информации в статье, что erleichtert das Verständnis.

  130. тута on

    Очень хорошо структурированная статья! Я оцениваю ясность и последовательность изложения. Благодаря этому, я смог легко следовать за логикой и усвоить представленную информацию. Большое спасибо автору за такой удобный формат! Это сообщение отправлено с сайта https://ru.gototop.ee/

  131. тут on

    Heya are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any html coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  132. imp source on

    Эта статья – источник вдохновения и новых знаний! Я оцениваю уникальный подход автора и его способность представить информацию в увлекательной форме. Это действительно захватывающее чтение!

  133. read this post here on

    Статья обладает нейтральным тоном и представляет различные точки зрения. Хорошо, что автор уделил внимание как плюсам, так и минусам рассматриваемой темы.

  136. Tubidy on

    You’re so cool! I don’t think I’ve read through something like this before. So wonderful to find someone with a few original thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with some originality.

  137. ссылке on

    Статья предлагает конкретные примеры, чтобы проиллюстрировать свои аргументы.

  138. Tubidy on

    Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It is the little changes that will make the largest changes. Thanks for sharing!

  139. look these up on

    Статья представляет информацию о текущих событиях, описывая различные аспекты ситуации.

  140. ghana music site on

    Thank you for some other informative blog. The place else may just I am getting that kind of information written in such an ideal method? I’ve a undertaking that I am just now working on, and I have been on the glance out for such info.

  142. держи on

    When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos!

  143. wikipedia reference on

    Статья представляет информацию о различных аспектах темы, основываясь на проверенных источниках.

  145. этой on

    Автор статьи представляет информацию, основанную на разных источниках и экспертных мнениях.

  148. click this link here now on

    Я прочитал эту статью с большим удовольствием! Она написана ясно и доступно, несмотря на сложность темы. Большое спасибо автору за то, что делает сложные понятия понятными для всех.

  149. эта on

    I do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing problems with your site. It seems like some of the text within your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too? This could be a issue with my web browser because I’ve had this happen before. Cheers

  150. like this on

    Статья предлагает разнообразные точки зрения на тему, предоставляя читателям возможность рассмотреть различные аспекты проблемы.

  151. этот? on

    Хорошо, что автор обратил внимание на различные аспекты данной проблемы.

  152. these details on

    Автор предлагает логические выводы на основе представленных фактов и аргументов.

  153. смотреть on

    hey there and thank you for your information – I have definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise some technical points using this site, since I experienced to reload the site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again soon.

  154. here on

    Автор старается не высказывать собственного мнения, что способствует нейтральному освещению темы.

  155. Tubidy on

    Good site you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!

  156. эта модель on

    I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.

  157. вот такая. on

    Читателям предоставляется возможность рассмотреть разные аспекты темы и сделать собственные выводы на основе предоставленных данных. Это сообщение отправлено с сайта https://ru.gototop.ee/

  158. Tubidy on

    You are so awesome! I don’t suppose I have read a single thing like this before. So good to discover someone with a few original thoughts on this subject. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is required on the web, someone with a bit of originality.

  159. вот такую on

    It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!

  160. web link on

    Автор предлагает аргументы, подкрепленные проверенными источниками.

  161. Snelle levering on

    A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you ought to publish more about this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people don’t discuss these topics. To the next! Best wishes.

  166. Cadeaupakket on

    An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who has been doing a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch simply because I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this subject here on your blog.

  175. Game on

    One thing I would like to say is the fact that car insurance cancelling is a dreaded experience so if you’re doing the proper things being a driver you may not get one. A lot of people do obtain the notice that they have been officially dropped by their particular insurance company they have to struggle to get extra insurance from a cancellation. Affordable auto insurance rates tend to be hard to get following a cancellation. Knowing the main reasons for auto insurance canceling can help owners prevent getting rid of in one of the most crucial privileges available. Thanks for the strategies shared by means of your blog.

  176. 77liveno1.com on

    As you are looking for an occupation, first impressions are really big! And the best first impression employers know of you – is the cover letter.

  178. qq88 on

    The next time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I do know it was my choice to read, however I really thought youd have one thing interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you may repair in the event you werent too busy on the lookout for attention.

  182. link vào yylivetv.com on

    ปัจจุบันผู้คนต่างมองหาช่องทางการสร้างรายได้ที่ลงทุนน้อย UFABET คาสิโนออนไลน์ได้เก็บทุกเกมออนไลน์ที่ท่านชื่นชอบไม่ว่าจะเป็นบาคาร่า แทงบอล สล็อต ยิงปลา รวมทั้งเกมใหม่ๆที่พึ่งเปิดตัวไปสู่แวดวงเกมออนไลน์ UFABET จ่ายจริง จ่ายไว ไม่มีขั้นต่ะ

  183. qq88 on

    I am extremely impressed together with your writing skills and also with the structure for your weblog. Is this a paid subject or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to peer a great blog like this one today..

Leave A Reply