Out with Benji’s, in with Jaegerhaus.

For years, Benji’s was a Plains and Sanders County restaurant popular with folks throughout the valley for good meals and hearty portions.

Then, several years ago, the eatery in the middle of what is downtown Plains abruptly closed its doors. Speculation as to why ranged from competition from other area restaurants to musings that Benji’s popularity was too much for its competitors.

The restaurant has been vacant for several years, the only remnant of its past success a Benji’s sign on the front of the two-story building.

That sign is now in the back of what was once the kitchen area in a recently gutted and remodeled space. Gone are the iconic booths and kitchen equipment.

Enter Paul Jaeger, who moved to Plains from Florida after falling in love with the Plains area and seeing good things to be made of the structure.

“I came here a few years ago and was struck by the beauty of this area,” said the affable Jaeger, a semi-retired businessman with experience in commercial real estate ventures.

With a portable crane towering over what is the tallest structure in the Plains downtown area, Jaeger watched as workers removed the building’s air conditioning/ventilation system and ducts from the rooftop.

“I’m not really sure what I will do with the main floor of the building but I have had some interesting ideas along with good suggestions from residents of this town,” he said.

Already Jaeger has remodeled the upper floor of the building, which is sandwiched between the Mint Bar and Casino and the town’s liquor store/floral shop. The second floor is now what Jaeger refers to as Jaegerhaus, his personal living quarters in his newly adopted hometown.

“I’ve been considering several options, including possibly creating a brew-pub with the brewing equipment in the basement and seating in what was the restaurant. I have no plans to make it another restaurant and really wouldn’t want to do that anyway,” he said.

Jaeger said he has tossed about several other possibilities including a possible sports pub type business or retail outlet of some kind but has not yet settled on anything concrete.

He bought the building from ownership involved with nearby Quinn’s Resort.

“I just know for sure that I love living here and have already met some really good people,” he said.

“I’ve heard how much people liked Benji’s when it was open and I would want to make something locals and tourists would come to like just as much.”