The Big Reveal Completed of Jansen's Store Building

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Published on October 13 2017 8:03 am
Last Updated on October 13 2017 8:03 am
Written by Greg Sapp

All of the exterior siding that had covered up the original brick surface of the former Jansen's Department Store in downtown Effingham has been removed. The work was completed Thursday.

The building is part of the Austin block, built by the Austin family more than 100 years ago. There was an opera house at the location and movies may have been shown there as a number of posters were discovered in the upstairs portion of the building when it was remodeled for a radio station close to 40 years ago. The Knights of Columbus reportedly also met at the location at one time.

The building was used by Jansen's Department Store starting more than 60 years ago and for many years following. The Zone had been operating in the building until recent weeks. That business is relocating to the former YMCA building on Wenthe Drive.

The renovations downtown are making way for Gopher's Grill, a bar and grill with arcade games being developed by three local entrepreneurs.