Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, December 7, 2023, there arose exciting activity on the roof of 203 W. Main Street, Morrison, IL. The former Donnybrook Bakery Cafe now sports its corner turret, which previous owner Bob Vaughn had fabricated in 2014. It was built by Shambaugh Construction, Inc., of Morrison, primarily by Roger Smith and Steve Wolf, but with assistance from Rich Glazier. New building owner Pete Harkness scheduled the high-elevation installation and watched the process from the second floor.
A worker in a Santa hat (above) re-sealed all the seams. Also wearing a Santa hat for this occasion, Harkness, at right, stated, “This is my Christmas gift for Morrison. It is such an awesome building!
Editor’s note: “The Bread Lady at Donnybrook Corner” is the name of the establishment, and Shelli Eng, from Erie, IL, is CEO. Click here to read her interview with opening dates.
Harkness noted Gary Warner is the General Contractor for Harkness Properties. “They spent a lot of time inspecting the turret, to figure out how to attach it” to the building. “A little door goes into the [cone.]” When the moment was right, Crane Operator Adam Wilcox slowly hoisted the architectural tower into the air and glided it to the east end of the building.
With the turret finally in “pride of place,” Harkness chatted with the street observers. It was a satisfying accomplishment.
There are two rental spaces upstairs. “An executive of a major Manufacturer leases the apartment. The airbnb [short-term rental] is often used. There are a lot of repeats. Many people do business in the area, but they love feeling of The Loft on Main and the Downtown,” noted Harkness.
