Downtown Coalville is becoming more lively – at least if Van Kelly has his way.

On Friday, between rodeo events in Oakley, Mix’ Place, the newest restaurant and liquor store on Coalville’s Main Street, held a grand opening as part of its grand opening weekend.

The town seemed to literally roll out the red carpet – the section of Main Street in front of Main Street was freshly paved and painted just this week. Coalville Mayor Mark R. Marsh was in attendance and all food and beverage items were 50% off all weekend. The menu includes sodas, coffee, ice cream, cookies, pizzas, breakfast sandwiches and more.

Founded by Kelly and business partner Jared Higgins, the men’s latest restaurant venture is a departure from their other businesses – Landmarks West, a high-end custom home builder, and Uinta Adventure, an equipment rental business in Wasatch County.

They are entrepreneurs through and through, but opening a restaurant was more of a personal project for them as residents of Coalville.

“It was a niche or a need in the community,” Kelly said. “There really isn’t a late-night restaurant in Coalville. … We’re the only soda shop, the only coffee shop. There’s a pizza place, but you have to call or wait a half hour or 45 minutes. I can bring you a pizza in two and a half minutes.”

It’s also a way to show off their design and building skills, he said. The space is decorated with an “East Coast bistro vibe” and “European flair,” unique to this rural Summit County town, Kelly said. The large room is accented with glossy tiled walls, vaulted hallways, chandeliers, sconces, block paneling and padded leather seating. It’s high-end without the high prices.

The idea came to Kelly as he drove past the building for sale on Coalville’s Main Street. And it was a mess, he said.

“(Built) in 1895, it was an old blacksmith shop and wheel shop, and they forged horseshoes and all kinds of things there, so the old rafters actually looked almost blackened because of the mud and soot,” he said.

However, they didn’t realize this until they gutted the room and removed the low ceilings that had been installed over the years.

Although they wanted to modernize the building, they still tried to honor its history, Kelly said. For example, after removing soot from the ceiling, they painted it black.

The name is also a reference to the history of the building, as it was once a butcher’s shop with a cold storage facility.

“They harvested ice from Echo Reservoir and brought it here,” Kelly said. “One of the guys who cut the meat was named Mick. And people said, ‘Hey, let’s go to Mick’s and pick up our meat.'”

So “Mix’ Place” refers to both the building’s nickname and its concept: “Mixing drinks, mixing sodas, mixing coffees, a mix of people,” Kelly said.

The community has loved the store since it opened, he said. At the grand opening, there was a line out the door and nearly every table was taken. Employees handed out miniature ice cream cones to those waiting, mostly groups of teenagers.

And that was one of Kelly’s main goals: to provide the children of Coalville, children like his own, with a safe and fun place to hang out.

Mix’ Place is open for sit-down and drive-thru Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Sundays. Website coming soon, but follow them on Facebook at Mix’ Place and on Instagram at @mix_place_coalville.

“I never thought I would develop such a passion for sodas and coffee, but here I am,” Kelly said, laughing.