RAPID CITY - Frank Morrison had two inspirations for Thirsty's, his new downtown restaurant and tavern at 819 Main St.

One was Boise, Idaho, which has a vibrant downtown business district filled with restaurants, coffee shops, nightclubs and people. The other was a bulldog named Frankie - who happens to live in Boise.

Morrison and his wife, Linda, often travel to Boise, where their daughter lives. He said he has always been impressed with the way that city has revived its historic business district.

Morrison said he believes that downtown Rapid City - not long ago, he counted 28 vacant buildings between Second and Ninth streets - could use another place where people can gather for a meal or a cold beer, especially at the west end of downtown.

He and his family own the building at 819 Main St. Linda is the daughter of M.J. Larkin, one of the original partners in the Larkin & Jones appliance store at that location for decades.

They began renovation work back in May 2006. The work is completed, and Thirsty's is scheduled to open as early as today for lunch and dinner.

Now for Frankie: She's a friendly, tongue-wagging, slightly slobbery bulldog, and she looks as if she is eternally thirsty. That's how the family came up with the name for their tavern.

One of the more eye-catching aspects of Thirsty's is the 1930s-style back bar. It's a sleek, almost Art Deco design. It has light wood inlaid with darker woods backed by mirrors. Local carpenter Marvin Hargens built a new bar that matches the style and color of the back bar.

The second thing you'll notice is the size of the room. It's big, with seating for 132 people. There are also two pool tables, a small casino and four unassuming television sets placed strategically around the room.

If you were there in the building's recent life as a consignment store or as Larkin & Jones, you won't recognize it. Morrison, a painting contractor for 35 years, and his sons, with help from various contractors, stripped the building to its bare walls and rebuilt it from scratch. The exterior was remodeled, as well.

During the Sturgis motorcycle rally, Thirsty's will serve up basic lunches and dinners of hamburgers, wraps and sandwiches. But after the bikers go home, he said, the menu will expand to include steaks and other dinner fare. It will sell beer and wine, but Thirsty's does not have a liquor license.

Morrison said the emphasis will be on the food and the low-key atmosphere. "My wife and I know what we like - a place where we can have a meal and drinks and carry on a conversation," he said. "We just want people to feel comfortable here."

One person who seems more comfortable with Thirsty's is Fred Thurston. The architect owns the Gambrill building across the street, and in the past he's had problems with litter, vandalism and noise from neighboring bars.

Initially, Thurston was opposed to allowing a fourth alcohol-serving establishment on the 900 block of Main Street. Now that it's opening, Thurston offered a measure of support for Frank Morrison and Thirsty's.

"He has good intentions. I really hope it works for him, and I will support it," Thurston said.

As an architect and historic preservationist, Thurston said he likes the way Morrison has remodeled Thirsty's, especially making the distinctive back bar the centerpiece of the design.

In fact, the 1930s back bar used to belong to Thurston a decade ago when he operated a Mexican restaurant on East Omaha Street.

"I like the fact that they played off the bar, and I'm pleased with the way Frank's doing it. He's not a doing a sloppy job, Thurston said.

Thurston said he, too, wants a vibrant downtown, and he hopes Thirsty's does indeed maintain its emphasis on food and operates as a restaurant, not a bar.

Contact Dan Daly at 394-8421 or dan.daly@rapidcityjournal.com