Molly’s to reopen Tuesday at new location

DeKALB – A popular DeKalb night spot is gearing up to reopen next week.

Molly's Eatery & Drinkery closed in late November after CVS/pharmacy expressed interest in purchasing its former home at 1022 W. Lincoln Highway. CVS paid $2.5 million for the property, according to property transaction records.

Molly's decided to relocate next door to 1000 W. Lincoln Highway, the former home of Campus Club, Detox and other bars and nightclubs.

Employees are putting the last touches on the slightly expanded space, which boasts a new sound system, new lights and new flooring among other features. The opening is Tuesday.

But owners say fans of the old Molly's will have plenty to appreciate. Much of the art is the same, and the 36-foot mahogany bar in the old location survived the move intact.

An island bar, in the center of the main room, is decorated with tin ceiling tiles from the old bar.

"We tried to make it look similar [to the old location], so people who used to go to NIU can remember what it was like," co-owner Shawn Redzepi said.

Redzepi said while it was "a bit of hassle" to move everything, the unseasonably warm winter helped, as have Molly's employees, who've worked since the bar closed in November.

Help also came from DeKalb real estate broker Mike Carpenter, whose family opened Molly's in 1988 before selling the business in 2003.

Carpenter said there were many sentimental moments when he watched the establishment named after his sister undergo its transformation.

"We thought it was an excellent move for them, and we really encouraged the relocation," he said.

Redzepi said he was excited to show off the new location, especially when NIU students return for the spring semester later this month.

"We've been waiting," he said, "but I'd rather do it right than rush into something."

Molly's will share its location with a Subway restaurant currently located at 162 W. Lincoln Highway.