11-14-2008, 08:13 AM
Great news for a great little business. Spread the word. The view is beautiful. Go check it out. It's been two years already???
![[Image: WA14_JOPLIN_P1_scn_feed_20081113_21_28_3...ageContent]](http://media1.suburbanchicagonews.com/multimedia/WA14_JOPLIN_P1_scn_feed_20081113_21_28_31_75-125-165.imageContent)
Joplin's Java tops cup with renovation award Lieutenant governor honors downtown Waukegan cafe
November 14, 2008
By DAN MORAN <!-- e --><a href="mailto:dmoran@scn1.com">dmoran@scn1.com</a><!-- e -->
WAUKEGAN -- Joplin's Java & Ragtime Cafe, which has taken shape over the last two years in a rehabbed building overlooking the ravine on South Genesee Street, was one of 20 statewide projects honored Thursday during the 2008 Lt. Governor's Awards for Excellence in Downtown Renovation.
"I was aware that it was in the works, but we hadn't heard how it turned out," said co-owner Alice Alviani when reached at Joplin's about four hours after the ceremony was held in Decatur. "We're absolutely thrilled."
Alviani and Mark MacLeod opened Family Piano Co. at 114 S. Genesee in 2006, setting up shop in the five-story Blumberg building, which dates to 1915 and was renovated for multiple uses. Last October, Joplin's Java was born within the store, offering coffee, snacks and live entertainment.
» Click to enlarge image
news-sun file photo Alice Alviani, co-owner of Joplin's Java & Ragtime Cafe in Waukegan, holds the store's sign.
"We're a happy little yellow piano spot with happy people," said Alviani, adding with a laugh that "the biggest thing has been getting the word out that we exist. I still get people walking in and saying, 'This is a really nice place -- you ought to tell people about it.'"
Alviani thanked former Waukegan Main Street executive director Theodora Anderson for putting together the application for the Lt. Governor's Awards, which also honored such ventures as block parties, community festivals, advertising campaigns and renovation efforts in places including Batavia, Geneva, Genoa and St. Charles.
"These awards recognize the very best work by Illinois towns and cities to promote economic growth, tourism, historic preservation and civic democracy in their downtown business districts," Quinn said in a statement. "I am proud to salute these members of the Illinois Main Street Program for their efforts, and I know the good example they set will benefit communities throughout the Land of Lincoln."
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1279126,5_1_WA14_JOPLIN_S1.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article</a><!-- m -->
Joplin's Java tops cup with renovation award Lieutenant governor honors downtown Waukegan cafe
November 14, 2008
By DAN MORAN <!-- e --><a href="mailto:dmoran@scn1.com">dmoran@scn1.com</a><!-- e -->
WAUKEGAN -- Joplin's Java & Ragtime Cafe, which has taken shape over the last two years in a rehabbed building overlooking the ravine on South Genesee Street, was one of 20 statewide projects honored Thursday during the 2008 Lt. Governor's Awards for Excellence in Downtown Renovation.
"I was aware that it was in the works, but we hadn't heard how it turned out," said co-owner Alice Alviani when reached at Joplin's about four hours after the ceremony was held in Decatur. "We're absolutely thrilled."
Alviani and Mark MacLeod opened Family Piano Co. at 114 S. Genesee in 2006, setting up shop in the five-story Blumberg building, which dates to 1915 and was renovated for multiple uses. Last October, Joplin's Java was born within the store, offering coffee, snacks and live entertainment.
» Click to enlarge image
news-sun file photo Alice Alviani, co-owner of Joplin's Java & Ragtime Cafe in Waukegan, holds the store's sign.
"We're a happy little yellow piano spot with happy people," said Alviani, adding with a laugh that "the biggest thing has been getting the word out that we exist. I still get people walking in and saying, 'This is a really nice place -- you ought to tell people about it.'"
Alviani thanked former Waukegan Main Street executive director Theodora Anderson for putting together the application for the Lt. Governor's Awards, which also honored such ventures as block parties, community festivals, advertising campaigns and renovation efforts in places including Batavia, Geneva, Genoa and St. Charles.
"These awards recognize the very best work by Illinois towns and cities to promote economic growth, tourism, historic preservation and civic democracy in their downtown business districts," Quinn said in a statement. "I am proud to salute these members of the Illinois Main Street Program for their efforts, and I know the good example they set will benefit communities throughout the Land of Lincoln."
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1279126,5_1_WA14_JOPLIN_S1.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article</a><!-- m -->