Millie’s reopens downtown Elgin as family restaurant and live-music venue, owner says

Stacy (host) spoke with Susie (owner of Millie’s) about the family restaurant and live-music venue that opened in January 2024 in downtown Elgin. Susie said the business is intended "for families" so "kids can play, have fun, but mom and dad can have a conversation."

The discussion centered on how Millie’s restored an older downtown building using historic rehabilitation tax-credit programs and local economic-development support. "The historical tax credit program is really key to restoring all of your downtown buildings in these historic towns," Susie said. She described the program as effectively matching private investment—"they'll match fund 48 cents for every dollar that you put into an old building"—and said the project required state and federal reviews and about two years to obtain permits.

Susie said the building was constructed in phases, with an original 1930 section (formerly a Gulf gas station) and a later 1955 addition that were joined during the restoration. She also described local incentives: a past city economic-development grant that reimbursed qualifying projects (she cited an example reimbursement level of about $25,000) and a city Economic Development Corporation (EDC) policy that lets a portion of first-floor space be converted to residential use. "The EDC now has programs that help if you want to improve your property," she said.

Millie’s mixes food service with a live-music schedule. Susie listed a variety of performers the venue has booked, including regional and national names: rappers Little Flip and Slim Thug, guitarist Sue Foley and country and acoustic artists. She said some shows have sold out within an hour after tickets went on sale online. Upcoming performers mentioned included Corey Morrow on Aug. 1.

On operations, Susie told the host the venue is open Tuesday through Sunday: Tuesdays 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. She emphasized the business is child-friendly and offers a handcrafted beverage menu for all ages.

The interview also credited Elgin’s Main Street program and the local EDC with providing technical and financial support during rehabilitation: "Main Street…they have a gentleman that will come out and do a preliminary sketch and drawing for you that, man, just gets you going," Susie said.

No formal city actions or votes were discussed in the interview. The remarks describe how tax-credit programs and local EDC incentives were used in Millie’s restoration and outline the venue’s programming and hours.