Downtown restaurant group details enhanced spaces, special events

June 23, 2025

From a lower-level speakeasy to a major renovation, new menus and special events, a downtown restaurant group with multiple properties has new additions in all of them.

Ballard Building LLC, the family business led by Stacy Newcomb, includes Parker’s Bistro — which is in the historic Ballard Building — Myrtle’s Fur Vault & Bar, Icon Lounge, DaDa Gastropub and Club David.

The latest acquisition — and biggest recent project — is at Club David, where interior and exterior work started more than a year ago on the multistory property at 212 W. 10th St.

“We really dug in and took the year to finish it,” Newcomb said.

When the kitchen opened in January, “immediately we went in and did the Burger Battle, which was a fun introduction to get some interest and have some built-in publicity and something for people to focus on and come in and try,” she said. “It actually went really well, and we did great.”

The buffalo burger stayed on the menu, along with a standard burger, wings, birria tacos, risotto, chicken strips, cheese curd and fries. It’s served from 5 to 9 p.m. daily.

“It’s a pretty small menu and pretty casual,” Newcomb said.

“We didn’t want to do another big restaurant; that wasn’t the point. The point was to look at smaller, casual drop-in, maybe have drinks and grab an appetizer. Between the upstairs bar and patio this summer, we’re lining up events.”

Both levels intentionally have been left “with quite a bit of versatility,” she added.

“We took off all the plaster and ceilings and had the walls reconditioned and painted, and upstairs it’s kind of the same. We took out a bunch of old materials that were not great to have there and didn’t fit with the decor. The final decor is still evolving, and we’re just working on it as we see how the spaces are being used.”

There will be decisions made about new furniture and other decor as the budget allows, she said.

“We may add a couple things to help define spaces, but at this point we have the main floor used for concerts and entertainment of various kinds,” Newcomb said.

A partnership with The Premiere Playhouse brought a cabaret of musical scores to the venue in May, for instance.

“So we’re really trying to diversify our programming,” Newcomb said. “More local bands and more dance opportunities for people, and we’ve got a blues night we started on Sunday that’s been going well.”

Those nights include a special menu.

At Myrtle’s Fur Vault & Bar, 208 S. Main Ave., a lower-level speakeasy has been gaining traction as an area for special events — both those hosted by the restaurant and those booked by private groups.

“We are just continuing to find new uses for it, and there’s a lot of interest, so that’s been a wonderful addition,” Newcomb said.

Groups have reserved it for stand-up cocktail parties and sit-down dinners. Myrtle’s has used it occasionally as overflow seating but also held its own small events there.

“We’ve continued to work on the decor, but it’s really been functional since we opened Myrtle’s two years ago,” Newcomb said.

“It was in terrible shape — it was just a mess — we had to tear up the cement floor and recondition everything in the whole building, which we did from top to bottom.”

The speakeasy can be accessed through a staircase inside but also through an exterior door to the alley where there’s a small patio.

“That’s always been my vision is we would use the alley and have an interesting entrance, so that’s part of what I think will be really fun to get people used to that,” Newcomb said.

DaDa Gastropub, attached to Icon Event Hall at 402 N. Main Ave., has “been doing great,” Newcomb said. “I think they’ve really honed in on some great events that are open to the public.”

There’s live music Tuesday and Friday nights, and “it’s a very relaxed atmosphere,” she said. “Very conducive to having something to eat and talking, and the patio is great.”

There’s also a series of dance classes on Friday night, and the restaurant has been hosting more private dinners.

Passport to the World

All three properties are coming together this summer for a series of international-themed special events called Passport to the World International Nights.

Held for two evenings each month through September, each of the three restaurants will offer a special menu themed for a certain country.

Participants can get a passport stamped as they try foods from different countries at each stop and learn something about the culture — think local music, dance or a guest speaker.

“We think it’s fun for people to try a little world cuisine and experience culture from 15 cities around the world,” Newcomb said. “Especially in the summer, I think it’s fun.”

Those who collect 10 stamps will be invited to a final party in am undisclosed location featuring a mystery country.

“I think it’s a fun way for people to get involved in something where the point is not to make it cost an arm and a leg — just make it a fun street-food experience,” Newcomb said.

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