Downtown Janesville gets new bar and grill
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The former site of the Hilltop International Restaurant, this building at 123 E. Milwaukee Street is now the home of Karma’s Bar and Grill. Purchased earlier this month by four women, the building’s interior has been completely redesigned to re-establish character and provide a comfortable feel for patrons.
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Chad Barnes of Barnes Building and Remodeling sands some edge moulding he installed around the bar at the new Karma’s Bar & Grill, 123 E. Milwaukee St., Janesville. After some extensive renovations, the establishment’s owners plan on opening for business this month.
JANESVILLE — Four women are serving up good karma in the former Hilltop International Restaurant at 123 E. Milwaukee St.
The partners have practically gutted the inside, opening and brightening the interior and exposing a cream-brick wall.
Cindy Martin and Tami Likely of Janesville and Terri Gilbertson and Erin Schuster of Beloit will open Karma’s Bar and Grill in the next few weeks.
The Victorian structure was built in 1846 as the London Pub Regency Hotel, duplicating a building in London. Over the years it had fallen into disrepair, and in 1994 the upper hotel floors were ordered closed by the city.
Martin, who works at General Motors, had wanted to open a restaurant for a long time. All four women have food and bartending experience.
Martin bought the place Oct. 1 and had hoped to be open within a few weeks. But as the cleaning and renovating got started, the women kept finding things that needed fixing.
The women have done the work themselves, with the exception of the carpentry. That has meant a lot of cleaning and clearing.
“Once we started cleaning and throwing, we had to back up trailers to go to the dump,” Likely said.
Gilbertson was wielding a hammer when it went through the drywall. She discovered a wall of cream-city brick. The women exposed the wall, which softens the interior and gives it character.
They stuccoed the walls and wainscoted the horseshoe-shaped bar. They plan to build a back bar featuring antique stained glass from upstairs.
The building totals 7,500 square feet. An upstairs room with a curved window in the turret would in the future make a great martini lounge, Martin said. A wonderful fireplace is upstairs as well.
Schuster is looking for old photos from downtown Janesville that the women hope to hang on the walls.
Hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., and the women plan to serve coffee and breakfast sandwiches. Specialties will include gyros and Tami’s tacos. A limited menu will be available after 9 p.m.
The focus is on creating a clean, friendly, comfortable environment, Martin said.
“Everyone’s just excited that something new is coming in,” Gilbertson said. “They can see we’re just taking junk out in droves, and all good things are happening in here.”
The establishment’s foundation is built on relationships and memories of good friends, Gilbertson said.
“It’s someplace you can come and improve your karma.”
Dec 26, 2007 at 10:59 a.m.
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Teeber, Thursday is blues night. Maybe that's when you were there.
Dec 26, 2007 at 10:52 a.m.
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WOW someone has issues . I myself was hoping it was type of bar . We need a place like that in Janesville to go to !
Dec 26, 2007 at 9:48 a.m.
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Thanks site staff.
Dec 25, 2007 at 10:53 p.m.
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I have been there and it seems to me a great place to go and have a few drinks. Also, The food there is great! The staff is fiendly, The patrons decent and I don't see the cops worrying about drunks and riff raff. The day I was there, A blues band was playing. I think this place is a great place to go.
Dec 25, 2007 at 7:23 p.m.
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I don't think it is. Either way, if you and your informant don't make a big production about whatever it is you are, there shouldn't be any problem.
Dec 25, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
Dec 25, 2007 at 12:55 p.m.
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The Speak has gotten away from having some really solid Jazz there, Bop.
Thought I heard some Miles Davis at Karma's either by a DJ or from the jukebox. Very nice.
More Bop Jazz, please.
Dec 25, 2007 at 12:42 p.m.
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Yes, don't drink and drive.
Dec 25, 2007 at 12:12 p.m.
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just what janesville needs is another bar that has food there.well i guess the janesville police will have more people to pull over and take to jail for drinking and driving.
at least people are trying to make downtown look better.
Dec 25, 2007 at 11:17 a.m.
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Been there a few times. Nice bar. Hope Jazz is the style of music usually played there.
Oct 28, 2007 at 3:48 a.m.
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Hoping that this reaches Ms. Erin Schuster of the New Bar and Grill in town. If this is the right one, we went to school together some time ago. Hoping all is well, and that your new venture is a great success! Take care...and perhaps I'll get out there sometime to try out the food.
Kyle
Oct 27, 2007 at 6:42 p.m.
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We will definitely miss The Hilltop; my wife and I live in California but always made it a point to stop in at The Hilltop every time we were back home. I'll second the question: what happened to Fred and Jaleh? We look forward to trying out Karma's.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:15 p.m.
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Sounds like 2 nice places now. Wiggy's and Karma's !
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:54 a.m.
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OK..here goes. I honestly don't think that any harm was meant to Fred and Jaleh when the comment about the trash was made in this article. When renovations are done, things are torn apart and damaged. Do you honestly think that when they were tearing down the drywall, they were just going to leave it sit there? I've met both Fred and Jaleh...and yes, its sad to see Jaleh's flare leave...but, I do not think they would sell this establishment without wishing much success to the new owners. I, too, am looking forward to checking out this new restaurant. Please Janesville, do whatever can be done to help this business and all other businesses.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:33 a.m.
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I think it is a little disrespectful to Fred and Jaleh, the former owners, to comment on removing trailers full of trash. The HIlltop tried hard in an old building. A couple of years ago they tried to fix up what they called the Chicago Room. I´ll miss Jaleh´s wonderful Mediterranean cooking, so I hope she continues cooking some place else.
Oct 25, 2007 at 2:15 a.m.
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Rock County Historical Society has some nice photo's of downtown area. Especially images about E. Milwuakee, Main Street, & Court.
Looking forward to eating out at yet another quality downtown establishment.
Oct 24, 2007 at 5:55 p.m.
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So what happened to Fred and Jaleh, the former owners? Why did they decide to sell?
Oct 24, 2007 at 5:29 p.m.
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Kudos to these entrepreneurial women. I challenge Janesville to support this endeavor, but I also challenge the owners to keep the place a quality establishment and not fall into the trap that so many downtown ventures have. Keep out the riff-raff, keep up the good work, develop a niche, and don't give way to nonsense in place of integrity and class.
Oct 24, 2007 at 4:08 p.m.
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great for downtown!!!
Oct 24, 2007 at 3:59 p.m.
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Hooray for this revitalization project. OK, Janesville, step up to the plate to support this local enterprise.