money Topeka's former Porubsky's building to become site of Little Russia Chili Parlor
Plans call for an eatery that honors its legacy to be housed in the building that for 75 years was the site of the iconic Porubsky's location in North Topeka's Little Russia community.
Little Russia Chili Parlor will be the name of the business, said a representative of Lawrence-based American Services, the holding company that bought the property last month. He asked that his name not be published.
The new location will feature chili, deli sandwiches and a bar. It won't offer a grocery, as Porubsky's did. It will take credit cards, unlike Porubsky's.
Patching and painting work was in progress Thursday at the scene.
The property was purchased last month by American Services Inc., which has a mailing address of 3841 Hillsong Circle in Lawrence, according to information posted on the website of the Shawnee County Appraiser's office.
American Services is the holding company that bought the building, and does not plan to operate the eatery, the representative for that company said Thursday.
Those who will run the eatery will make themselves available to talk about it "probably before too long," he said.
Local Realtor Lance Royer arranged the purchase of the building, he told The Capital-Journal on Thursday.
The building involved was constructed in 1904 and had an appraisal value of $22,700, according to appraiser's office records.
More: What does the closing of Porubsky's mean for future of Topeka's Little Russia district?
Porubsky's eatery was known for chili, hot pickles
April 30 was the last day in business for CW Porubsky's Deli and Tavern in North Topeka's Little Russia community, Cecelia Pierson told The Capital-Journal in May.
Pierson co-owned the fabled eatery with her siblings, Charlie Porubsky Jr., Matt Porubsky, Teresa Thomas and Mark Porubsky, all of whom are 65 or older.
"We appreciate all the people who have supported us over the years, but everything has to come to an end, and we all just decided we're getting tired," Pierson said.
More: Porubsky's, iconic Topeka deli known for chili and hot pickles, closes after 75 years
Porubsky's was known for its chili and hot pickles. Its co-owners were the children of Charles Porubsky, who opened it in 1947, and his wife, Lydia Porubsky. Charles Porubsky died in 1998 and Lydia Porubsky in 2008.
The cozy, little 40-seat eatery was flavored by a comfortable but colorful small-town atmosphere, which attracted a lunchtime crowd of laborers and professionals alike.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Porubsky's had spent most of its last two years serving customers carry-out only.
Tim Hrenchir can be reached at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: North Topeka's former Porubsky's building under new ownership
