We wanted something that was totally different than what Carbondale has had before, Darick Vinson-Troutman, co-owner of the new Metropolitan Restaurant and Bar, said. We’re planning to expose the old brick and restore the building to its original state as much as possible.

Inspired by Atlanta night-life, Vinson-Troutman said he named the new restaurant, 100 S. Illinois Ave., with the idea of bringing attributes of the larger cities into Carbondale to give it metropolitan qualities.

The first floor will house the restaurant specializing in vegetarian cuisine, a bar and a boutique, which will be in the back part of the building. The boutique will sell club wear such as the Raymond Dragon line and Diesel jeans, he said.

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Upstairs in the 500 square feet allocated for entertainment, there will be a game room, dance floor, an area for live bands and theater productions, and another bar area, all of which is targeted toward the professional crowd.

We’re planning to have occasional live bands, probably once a month, Vinson-Troutman said. But we will really be concentrating on the theater part of live entertainmentskits, dramas, etcetera.

The co-owner said he has contacted the SIUC theater department to discuss student productions for later dates. He said he is planning to display student art work from the University in a gallery-type setting where patrons can view and purchase the exhibitions.

Vinson-Troutman and his mother, Joyce Vinson, have taken over the responsibility of restoring the 100-year-old building. The building previously has housed the Emperor’s Palace and The Hub restaurants.

Vinson said she has a background in real-estate, and she and her son had been looking for a place to start a business.

We had always liked the building and decided to inquire about it, she said. We were able to meet the owner through our interest, and were then able to acquire it.

Vinson-Troutman said he has established a 21-year-old entry age after 9 p.m. or 9:30 p.m., and people who opt to stay after the dinner menu closes will need to fill out a membership form.

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The form is a questionnaire for the patrons that will be used to curb underage drinking, he said.

The Carbondale City Council recently instated the restaurant’s liquor license in a 4-1 vote.

It will primarily be a restaurant, Vinson-Troutman said. I don’t forsee any problems in the future with alcohol. I was surprised that the city was so skeptical of us in the first place.

The restaurant and bar is set for a tentative opening in late October.