Madeira train depot gets new tenant

The Madeira train depot has a new tenant, at least until the end of January.

La Soupe, a French soup restaurant in Newtown, will be using the train depot as a new carry-out location. Madeira City Manager Tom Moeller said city council approved La Soupe owner Suzy DeYoung subleasing the depot from radio personality Bill Cunningham, who is leasing the building from the city.

Cunningham’s restaurant, Root Beer Junction, was in the depot for eight months until closing on Nov. 17 for lack of business.

Moeller said the sublease runs until Jan. 31. Cunningham’s lease with the city is not up for four more years and the city is unsure of his plans moving forward.

DeYoung said she is unsure if she will continue the lease or not.

“People are liking it. We’ve been making soup like crazy,” she said, adding it would be nice to continue using the depot during warmer months because customers would be able to eat at the outdoor sitting.

No food will be prepared at the depot. Orders can be placed with the main kitchen in Newtown and will be delivered to Madeira for pick up. The location will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

DeYoung said she decided to use to depot as a carry-out location to continue the empty bowls outreach project she has been doing with Madeira Middle School. Proceeds from the sales of the depot will go to Oyler Elementary School.

DeYoung is caring over her giving spirit from La Soupe’s Newtown location. For every bowl of soup that is sold another is donated to a local group or organization serving those in need.

Moeller said city council is looking for a tenant for the depot and will discuss the search more at its Jan. 12 meeting.

Moeller said he is seeking proposals for leasing agents to manage the lease and all the properties in the Muchmore Historic Area, which includes the depot and the Hosbrook and Muchmore houses. The city is working to turn the area into a historic district, which will have stricter restrictions on design and what can be down with the houses, after Issue 13 was passed by voters in the November election.

“There are lots of things that need to be taken into consideration,” Moeller said.

Choo Choo's restaurant was in the depot until it closed after a kitchen fire May 8, 2013. The city received eight proposals for the property, which was eventually leased to Cunningham.

Want to know more about what is happening in Madeira? Follow Marika Lee on Twitter: @ReporterMarika