ICandy Nightclub is gearing up for its two-year anniversary with some renovations. The popular Gayborhood club started remodeling the historic building three weeks ago. ICandy promotions and events director Scott McFerren said the club has been ready for a new look since its March 2011 opening. “We wanted to give the tavern a fresh look after two years and create something different,” he said. Among the changes will be the opening up of the front wall to include windows, which will be bordered by its historic arch windowframes. ICandy was home to restaurant Leoncavallo from the late 19th century until 1960, when it was shuttered to become a series of clubs, including The Midway, Equus and ICandy predecessor 12th Air Command — all of which operated with a closed front. “The building hasn’t seen sunlight since 1960 when the restaurant closed,” McFerren said. Because of the renovations, ICandy will lift its cover charge for the month of March. The remodel will also include the addition of six new individual restrooms and the restoration of some of the original walls. “We have taken the building back to where it was probably since the original restaurant was here in 1920,” he said. “We found original ceilings and walls and took it back to the original base. We are not restoring the whole building, but what we can restore, we will.” According to McFerren, the renovations, which will cost approximately $250,000, will not affect day-to-day operations. “The only thing we have done is close the first floor, but the second and third floors are open. The completed project will be unveiled for our second anniversary party,” McFerren said, noting that details on the party will be announced later this month. Until renovations are done, guests will enter the building through the side entrance on Latimer Street. McFerren said the remodel has uncovered a number of artifacts from the previous businesses that operated in the building, which will be displayed on a memorabilia wall. “It has been interesting to see what we find. There is a lot of history here.”
