Lincoln remembers Romantix fire one year later

By: Cole Miller
cmiller@klkntv.com

The adult novelty store and neighboring piano shop were torn down after a fire totally destroyed both buildings. Now, people are asking what, if anything, will take their place.

A year ago today, people say they could see the smoke from more than twenty miles away. One man thought the entire block was on fire, but now all that remains is an empty lot.

December 12, 2010, smoke pours out of the Romantix building on “O” Street. Days after, ice took the place of flames and people were already speaking out about what should take the place of the destroyed buildings.

“I think it could be better used for other purposes, something that's a little more family oriented would be good like a restaurant that's good for the entire restaurant,” said Chad Peters.

Now, a year later, investigators still don't know what caused the fire. The spots where the century old buildings stood are all but muddy lots. The city's Urban Development Department says they've taken numerous phone calls from people interested in re-building the nearly half city block.

“I think people are looking at the site and thinking, if it could be assembled with some other properties, there is a much greater chance that it would be developed into something that would be a real asset. Not only for that corner, but for an entry way into Lincoln,” said Peters.

Businesses next door to the area say it would be nice if something came along. Daniel Patrick owns Danny's Downtown Deli, and says just about anything could help business. “We're kind of an island down here by ourselves, so it'd be nice if a nice fast-food restaurant would want to build there and come down and help bring people to this end of the block. Anything would be wonderful,” said Patrick.

As of now, there have not been any detailed conversations after those initial ones a few months ago. Now the land where Romantix once stood still belongs to the owner, who is from the Denver, Colorado area. A new store has opened up in Southwest Lincoln, however it has no connection to the one that went up in flames.