Liberty Hall nears completion

One local couple is not only taking the leap of owning a small business, they’re preserving history while they’re at it. The scaffolding came down just a few days ago on the Fraternal Order of Eagles building.

While the lettering is gone from the building, the memories live on as Fraternal Order of Eagles gathering place. Now it’s a community gathering place called Liberty Hall.

The project started when co-owners Torrey Whitaker and Nicki Chopski saw the former Eagle’s building was for sale.

“We closed on it back in November and immediately started renovating it,” said Whitaker.

New flooring, new appliances and a lot of new technology is mixed with bits of the historic building. There are salvaged doors, repurposed light fixtures to obscure the women’s restroom windows and all the wood flooring on the second floor is from the original building.

“We weren’t expecting the compliments and the glad tidings they brought with them when they recalled what they used to do here,” said Chopski. “Now they see how it is now and they’re really happy with it.”

The owners said they are very grateful for all the people that have helped bring their dream to life in Old Town Pocatello. Whitaker and Chopski said they want to give some history back to the city with a special memento from the old building.

“We’re going to leave the original neon sign up until we decide replace it,” Chopski said. “When we do decide to replace our intentions are to donate it to the Save the Signs campaign that Old Town Pocatello is working on.”

For more information about reserving a spot at the 6,500 square-foot space, call 208-406-3343.