Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published May 25, 2007 Restaurant Continues In New Building Ye Olde College Inn Demolished Without any hoopla either before or after it happened, Ye Olde College Inn's familiar premises on South Carrollton Avenue near Earhart Boulevard was torn down this past Sunday, May 20. This came as a surprise to almost everyone, including us. When the long-running (since 1933) restaurant reopened in February 2006, it did so in an adjacent building owned by John Blancher. Before the storm, he'd planned to use that facility for a Thai restaurant, and it was nearly ready to go after a renovation. We heard that the plan was to keep the College Inn there while the old building, which stood in deep flood water, was repaired. However, the old place must have been in as bad a condition as it looked. Even before the storm, it was well-worn, having served hundreds of thousands of people for some sixty years. I always thought that gutting and rebuilding the place would be a good idea, but apparently the solution needed was even more drastic. I haven't been able to reach Blancher, but I understand there are no immediate plans to rebuild. I suspect that will change. The location is too good for an empty lot to stay there long, and the smaller building used for the College Inn now doesn't require that much parking. One wish, stated by more than a few of our readers and radio listeners: that they'd resume lunch service. Right now, it's still just dinner. Ye Olde College Inn. 3016 S. Carrollton Ave. 866-3683. © 2007 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com