My View – March 2023

When I heard the news that Dirk Siedlecki had passed away, a piece of my heart broke. Dirk was one of “those” guys—one you admire right off the bat and like more and more as the years go on. For 15 years, I was lucky to chat with Dirk several times a week on my daily walks that meander through part of the cemetery… where Dirk spent a great deal of time. Please read our cover piece on page 7, by City Councilors Mike McClain and Steve Casaleggio, and get a sense of what Dirk contributed to Jacksonville. While speaking of the cemetery, I want to thank Dick Meyers, Board Member, Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery, who volunteered to continue Dirk’s monthly column, “News from the Silent City on the Hill.”

Shifting gears, there’s exciting news in Jacksonville’s culinary scene—the opening of SuraTini and BrickVine (at the Jacksonville Inn.) You’ll read more about both restaurants in the upcoming April issue in a feature by Peggy Dover.

Congratulations to Courtney Christiansen on the Grand Opening of her restaurant, SuraTini, offering craft cocktails and Thai-inspired tapas infused with light and fresh flavors. Located at 215 W. California Street in the former Thai House spot, hours are Thursday-Saturday, from 5-9pm.

Down the street at the former site of the Jacksonville Inn, look for the opening of BrickVine toward the end of March. James Soule (Vice President of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and co-owner of TouVelle House BnB) is the managing partner of the new restaurant. James saw an ownership opportunity for local chef Todd Meyerhofer and Miriam Barchi, the talent behind Medford’s Decant Restaurant. “I just knew they were the perfect team to carry on the amazing legacy of Jerry Evans.” James is busy interviewing staff and fine tuning the training program with Miriam for the front of the house. James notes they’ll open the first month for dinner only offering a fine dining menu in the lower dining room as well as a large bar menu with casual bites to meet most dining-out budgets. Lunch will be offered the month following the opening. James was quick to point out that much has changed in the restaurant industry since the pandemic. “Dining out is becoming increasingly more expensive due to rising food and labor costs. As a local business, we need your support and understand that we need to earn this, just as Jerry Evans did for more than 45 years.”

This issue is dedicated to Dirk Siedlecki, a hero in Our Small Town with Big Atmosphere.