Lincoln historic Odd Fellows Building to bring four new businesses

The Pagano Family of Rockstar Academy has purchased the historical Odd Fellows building, known to many residents as the cursed Beermann Building, to bring four new companies to downtown Lincoln. The building has been around since 1863 and generated ghost stories for decades. It also has a difficult time holding occupants for the space known as the Beermann Curse. Steven Pagano isn't afraid of the challenge of fighting the curse. Pagano believes the curse comes due to the restaurant layout of the building. The building is set up to be a three-story restaurant with two full-sized kitchens. He shared that would be a great business model for Downtown Disney - not Lincoln. He plans to bring in a variety of companies in the space, the first being Downtown Dance, a studio for dance classes for all ages. Downstairs will have a small dance lab that is separate from the other building using a gate at the doorway. On the second floor, there is a full-size historic ballroom for bigger classes, performances and more. The second company is Curtain Call Theater Company, which will be in the historic ballroom and is for all ages. Pagano is excited to build upon the theater community in Lincoln. "It just gives people more opportunities. We have 20 kids that try out for those spots, and one get it. So if there were five more plays going on in town, five more kids to get the lead," he explained. Within the historic ballroom will be The Event Center At Historic Beermann Plaza. This aims to bring in entertainment like music, theater and comedy. It will also have options to host weddings, private parties and corporate events. When customers arrive to the second floor for events, they will be able to experience a bar and hangout room filled with entertainment like pool. "You'd be able to come up, have a cocktail, play some pool, hang out, have some fun, meet friends," Pagano explained. "When the show opens, the ballroom doors would open, and you would head in and you'd watch whatever the entertainment is of the evening." After the show, the building invites you to their fourth business, Stevie's Sweetery. The downstairs business is a dessert bar, along with coffee and dirty soda. Kids can sit at the non-acholic bar and receive ice cream, while the parents can freshen up with caffeine and a treat. Stevie's Sweetery, alongside the bar within the event center, will not be operated like traditional businesses. They will be open in relation to the events happening at the center. "We have a Type 90 liquor license, so it's an event license," Pagano shared. "So, a couple hours prior to a show, we sell beer and wine and liquor, and then an hour afterwards we can sell beer wine and liquor, but otherwise we can't be open. We're not a bar. So, and the same with down here. We have no intention to try to run a restaurant." Pagano plans to roll out each business in phases, starting with Downtown Dance. The studio will provide hip hop, jazz, theater and line dancing classes for youth, junior and adult ages on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Learn more at https://therockstarmusicacademy.com/downtown-dance/