SPIRIT LAKE — Gone are some of the developers with big ideas who tried to tap into Spirit Lake during the building boom.

That situation, along with banks’ eagerness lately to move inventory that has been sitting idle due to the recession, fueled Marc Kroetch to breathe new life into the landmark mercantile building in downtown Spirit Lake.

“There’s been a lot of movement in town, and I’m excited about Spirit Lake as I’ve ever been,” said Kroetch, who owns Trademarc Sign and Display in town.

The city has expanded its park system, moved City Hall, revitalized Maine Street and added a recreation rental center on the lake recently.

Kroetch said his renovation of what will be called The Merc, which dates back to at least 1907, complements those efforts in hopes of giving the community with timber roots new life for residents and visitors.

For about 30 years, the former mercantile sat, as Kroetch puts it, “unloved.” A developer operated a restaurant in the lower floor and started to build apartments when the economy tanked.

Kroetch has taken the baton, updating the interior with pine trim throughout to celebrate the town’s heritage.

The Parkside, which will offer microbrews and wine in a non-smoking environment, will occupy the downstairs along with the current La Sierra Mexican restaurant. Kroetch will move his Trademarc Sign and Display to the upper floor of The Merc. The renovation is expected to be completed this month.

Patrons at The Parkside will be able to order off of the La Sierra menu and vice versa.

The Parkside will feature a rollup door on Maine Street for an open-air experience during good weather, piano music and historical photographs.

“With Spirit Lake rebuilding itself, I saw this as an opportunity,” said Michael Barnes, owner/general manager of The Parkside. “It will be a great place to relax and visit with friends and family.”

Spirit Lake doesn’t have a museum, so Barnes wants to give the place that flair.

Barnes said he believes it will provide a healthy mix to the traditional bars in town.

“It will be a different environment than what’s across the street,” he said. “I’m not looking to take their clientele, but attract business that everybody can benefit from.”

Spirit Lake, as with most cities, felt the effects of the recession, Kroetch said. But he’s optimistic, with the recent projects in town, that better days are ahead.

Residents and visitors should experience a new feel in town come Father’s Day next month for the Big Back-In lawnmower races and festivities, one of the community’s biggest events of the year.

“You can’t hardly find a guy wearing corks (logging boots) and suspenders anymore,” Kroetch said. “It’s families with strollers wanting an ice cream cone.”

Like the transition or not, Kroetch believes it’s healthy for the community.

“We’re trying to make ourselves a nice bedroom community and a great place to bring your family,” Kroetch said. “I’ve got a lot of hope and faith in Spirit Lake.”