Ask MRN: What’s going on with all the construction with the building at 24th and Lind?

Dear MRN, 

I drive down 24th Street and have noticed a lot of construction activity on the west side of the street at 24th and Lind. What is happening? Is it retail?

What is happening at the old Deters Dairy building on North 24th behind the Ladies of Charity? I notice construction going on, and I am naturally curious.

The building at 831 N. 24th, most recently leased by the Illinois Department of Transportation and also previously used as an American Family Insurance agency by Mike Mahsman, is being converted into a drive-thru specialty drink shop.

Freiburg, Inc., a local corporation owned by Dave Freiburg and nephews Tanner and Parker Freiburg, owns the property. The business, which will be named Wink’s Drinks, is owned by Tanner Freiburg and his father, Mark. Concrete work outside and renovation work inside are complete. Wink’s is expected to open in late spring, according to a press release.

“The ordering windows are on back order. They won’t be shipped out until the end of April,” said Parker Freiburg, who also is an alderman in the city’s 3rd Ward. “They’re still not projecting to open until June 1.”

Wink’s will be hiring about 20 employees. It will offer a variety of colorful drink options, as well as bubble teas and espresso beverages such as lattes, cappuccinos, slushies, lotus plant energy, cocoas and gourmet teas. Wink’s will use specialty coffee beans roasted in Illinois in all espresso drinks.

Mahsman’s insurance business pulled out of the building in 2019. IDOT then leased it for an off-site workplace for county contractors doing local roadwork. That lease ended in December.

“We’re excited to be reverting back to the original use of Deters Dairy,” Parker said. “My dad (Mark) and Tanner have always wanted to get into another restaurant type of business. So besides opening up obviously a restaurant, the next closest yet easiest thing that could you could do without cooking food would be a coffee shop. With all the lines that you see … Starbucks always is busy, and then the boom of Carter’s Coffee, we saw there’s certainly a need for more coffee.”