In 1873, a home was built on Franklin Street, with Allie Ferguson welcoming travelers into the boarding house that was a favorite among artists like Frank Hohenberger.
This year, the house is going back to its roots.
Andi and Lance Bartels purchased the Old Ferguson House in 2019 when Andi’s father, Andy Rogers’ properties were auctioned. They also bought Antique Alley’s 15 shops, and Andi inherited The Nashville House.
The Ferguson House had been home to a gift shop by the same name for two decades. When the shop owner decided to move locations, Andi and Lance tried to think of something that could “liven up” and bring more business to the area. The Ferguson House sits on the corner of Franklin Street and Honeysuckle Lane, acting as a natural “welcome” to the small shops on Jefferson Street.
“Our first thought was, ‘What can we get in here to bring more traffic to Antique Alley?” Bartels said. “It kind of grew from there.”
They decided the best option for the space would be a bistro.
Currently they’re in the process of revamping the space, getting ready to repaint the exterior, adding patio space and outdoor seating, redoing floors and lighting. Some of the building’s original furnishings and hardware have been preserved, like the windows and trim work on the porch.
Bartels said she’s working with the Indiana Landmarks Association to make sure the color they paint the exterior is historically accurate to the building’s Victorian-era history and style.
Inside, plans are taking shape. Customers will enter through the front door and find a bar to their left and seating to their right. Though they don’t yet have a menu in place, they do know that they’ll serve wine, beer, cocktails, small plates and sharable dishes.
“We want to try and do some fun things for food,” Bartels said. “We’re looking forward to creating unique things there.”
The manager from The Nashville House restaurant will oversee The Ferguson House and employees as well.
The downstairs isn’t the only area that will welcome customers in. There will also be two separate overnight rental units upstairs. One will sleep four, the other will sleeps six, and both will be outfitted with a minifridge, sink and microwave.
The Bartelses enjoy traveling, and much like The Nashville House’s reopening, the idea for the Ferguson House came from them asking themselves what they’d like to see if they were the visitors.
“I think about places that if I were traveling, I’d want to go and spend time,” Bartels said. “This is the way I envision it. It’s one of those places: a unique environment, aesthetically pleasing and an enjoyable place to spend time.”
The Ferguson House will be different from their Nashville House restaurant and others in town. She said they’re paying attention to other menus so they won’t compete with anyone else.
They plan on opening in late May or early June for late breakfast through early dinner. If they feature live music, or if other events are happening in town, they’ll be open a bit later.
Bartels said the history of the building now has a “nice cross connection” with its future, assuming Allie Ferguson served guests in a similar way.
