Since opening in October after a several month remodeling process, downtown Carbondale establishment Curbside wants all artists to know they’re welcome.

Located at 227 W. Main St., Curbside is owned and operated by Van and Martha Faye Ikner, who said their goal is to establish a business where everyone is welcome to friendly service and every artist encouraged to perform their craft.

Open seven days a week, along with providing free services and food on Sundays for the homeless, seniors, veterans and students, Curbside possesses an array of entertainment with food and drinks intermingled amidst musical, literary and comedic performances.

“What’s great is that we are a performance venue, food just gets you in the door and we do rock, pop, blues, funk, soul, open mic, comedy, karaoke, poetry, improvisation, jazz, hip-hop, you name it,” Van Ikner said. “We want to be a universal spot.”

Ikner said the building remodel began in June 2013 and was ready to open Oct. 17. The establishment’s goal is to help budding artists show their talents.

“We truly believe that your gift makes room for you,” he said. “We want to help bring it out of you here. It is our goal in our community, the student community and local community, spiritually, physically…and we want to renew the entrepreneur spirit here.”

Curbside has many specialties to be served, among them drinks and free shuttle pick-ups and drop-offs for groups who would like to visit and enjoy the nature of the business.

Ikner said the establishment has set aside specific nights for different activities. Every other Monday, patrons may use Curbside’s sound system and play to their own musical fancy. Tuesday offers an evening of blues music while Wednesday’s devoted to the free family game night. Thursday has been increasing in popularity with an open mic for any of the aforementioned artist encouraged to participate, while Friday is designated to concert events.

“The atmosphere itself is fun, so it makes it worth it. To come in and not think about the back end of it, just have a drink, sit down and have a good time,” said Director of day-to-day operations Martha Faye Ikner. “I enjoy it, because it’s something different. We’ve got different bands that come in, different personalities to tend to.”

Many university students visit Curbside and one such student, Tyeshia Dean, a junior from Bolingbrook double majoring in mortuary sciences and funeral services and chemistry, came to Curbside on Sunday and said her first experience there was wonderful.

“I will definitely be coming back, I will actually be coming back Thursday,” she said. “The people here are very hospitable and down to earth and I want to try their fish tacos and I think that everybody who reads the paper should come to try it, too.”

Curbside is for enlivened individuals who enjoy the abundance of activities or food and drinks. For people of all kinds and artists that run the gamut, there is a spot at Curbside waiting.

“If more of us do what we love, then we have a greater opportunity to succeed. That means that all of us now are working together,” Ikner said. “So we understand here at Curbside, that teamwork makes the dream work. And if the team don’t work, then the dream don’t work.”

Jake Saunders can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter at @saundersfj or by phone at 536-3311 ext. 254.