Long-vacant Belleville restaurant gets new life as Mac’s on Main
Summer is almost here, and with that comes the long-awaited opening of Mac’s on Main.
If you were a previous patron of 4204 Main Street Brewing Company, the place will look familiar, inside and out.
Since acquiring the property in January, owner Rob Lenhardt has been working to breathe new life into the long-vacant restaurant with plans to reopen mid-June. Work has included general maintenance — new plumbing and electrical work, minimal structural updates, and a lot of cleaning.
Around 36 large dumpsters were filled while clearing out the building, he said.
Everything that could be salvaged, Lenhardt repurposed. This includes tables and booths and the bar in the main dining area. A gaming area will soon be added to a front corner. The east end of the building has a separate, spacious room for events and larger parties.
The patio area was enclosed earlier this week and will be a smoking area with a bar, tables, a pool table and darts. The entry from the main building to this part was enlarged and framed with new cedar.
For me, the highlight of the place is the outdoor area at the back of the property. A large garden with picnic tables, string lights and plenty of shade will make the space enjoyable again. A concession area and restrooms are also available in the garden.
The old 4204 signage was replaced with Mac’s on Main signs on the building facade and the pole sign, and they look sharp. Lenhardt said he will likely paint the building’s exterior sometime in the future.
As for the old brewing equipment at the front of the building, it is still there. Lenhardt was not able to sell the equipment at this time and decided to leave it for now. To hide it from view, Lenhardt said, decals featuring Clydesdales will be applied to the windows.
Because who doesn’t love Clydesdales?
Earlier this week, Mac’s on Main held open interviews for new employees. Lenhardt said they made 45 hires during the two days and hope to add at least 15 more people.
Once open, he and his team want to ease into the business for the first month or two. After that, they plan to add more reasons to visit Mac’s on Main, including live music and Sunday brunches.
The menu will match what’s available in Alton. Plus, Olga’s.
The operator for Mac’s on Main, Abby Ferbert Lalor, said their menu will be similar to what they have at Mac’s Downtown Alton.
“Everything that we’re known for in downtown Alton, we want to bring here,” she said, mentioning their popular hand-breaded onion rings and pickles, and all-you-can-eat wings on Wednesdays.
Customers will find hand-breaded appetizers, including toasted ravs, onion rings and mushrooms, along with chicken strips, shrimp and other tasty choices. Salads, sandwiches, pizza, seafood, sliders and burgers will be available, as will steaks, pork steaks, pulled pork, kabobs, desserts and weekly specials.
Ferbert Lalor is looking to add a veggie burger option as well and said the full menu will soon be posted on the website. The menu is available on Google.
The menu includes a selection of Olga’s Kitchen favorites:
- The Original Olga;
- Three Cheese Olga;
- Ham & Cheese Olga;
- Fried Chicken Olga;
- Olga’s Snackers Basket;
- Cream of Broccoli soup;
- Olga’s Seasoned Curly Fries;
- Olga’s Spinach and Cheese Pie.
Lenhardt is optimistic about this part of the menu bringing in people from Fairview Heights. Since adding it to the Alton menu, Olga’s made up 10% to 15% of their food sales, he said. He thinks that for Belleville, it could make up 30% or more.
I can see that. Those Snackers are delish!
About Mac’s on Main
Mac’s Downtown Alton established a partnership with Olga’s Kitchen in December following the closing of the last Illinois Olga’s location at Alton Square Mall, where it operated for 45 years. Lenhardt was already planning to bring Mac’s to Belleville when he decided to include select items from Olga’s there as well.
Mac’s on Main is located at 4204 W. Main St. in Belleville. Hours will be 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
For more info and updates, visit macsonmainbelleville.com or check out the Facebook page.
