Cafe opens in former newspaper office

KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL PHOTO - The interior of Paradise Cafe, 19 North Main Street, Shenandoah on April 6, 2018.

By Kaylee Lindenmuth

SHENANDOAH – A new cafe opened in the former downtown Shenandoah office of a Pottsville newspaper yesterday afternoon.

Paradise Cafe now occupies the 19 North Main Street property which housed an office of the Pottsville Republican-Herald from 1995 until it abruptly and quietly closed in February 2017.

​According to owner Omar Veras, the store opened for the first time around 1:30pm Thursday.

The restaurant sells empanadas, sandwiches, smoothies, among other items.

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KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / The front of the new Paradise Cafe in downtown Shenandoah on April 6, 2018.

According to the Schuylkill County Parcel Locator, the property was purchased in February, and, according to Veras, renovations occurred in March, leading to this week’s opening.

Plans are also in the works to paint the front of the building as well, according to Veras.

​”I want to make this block look nice and fresh,” said Veras. “That’s what this town needs, people to come here and do good and open businesses.”

​Veras, who also owns a barber shop across the street, expressed a hopeful attitude regarding Shenandoah’s downtown.

“Little by little, it’s going to grow,” said Veras. “I know this town is going to grow, maybe in three years, it’s going to look so different in this town.”

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