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One of the oldest buildings in downtown Abbeville is getting new life.
Contractors have been busy gutting out and repairing the old Midway building, which is at least 100 years old.
James Noel Sr., owner of Sunrise Realty, purchased the building from Gerald Libersat Sr. a few months ago.
It has been closed for 12 years and was the first location for El Camino Restaurant.
For many years it was known as the Midway - a place to drink and eat in Abbeville. Harry Bohrer owned the building when it was the Midway.
While construction is underway, Noel is not 100 percent sure what he wants to do with the building. His dream is for someone to open an Italian restaurant in the building.
“What I would like is a nice Italian restaurant,” Noel said. “A restaurant with white tablecloths, where people can come here, relax and eat.”
His dream also includes having tables outside on the sidewalk so everyone could enjoy the downtown scenery as they dine.
Another wish is to have a cigar bar in the back of the restaurant.
But Noel made it clear, he has no plans to open a restaurant. He is in the process of getting the building ready in hopes of finding someone wanting to open a new restaurant in Abbeville.
Over the last month, contractors have had to repair the holes in the brick walls. Beams that hold the roof inside of the building needed to be changed because they were rotting.
The brick walls, which are three bricks deep, will remain. New windows will be installed.
He upgraded the bathrooms and has plans to upgrade the kitchen area with appliances. A heating and air condition unit is also being installed in the next month.
Noel said he would like to have the building ready to lease by March 1.
Charlene Beckett, who is the Main Street Program Manager for Abbeville, is thrilled that the abandoned building is taking on new life.
“Having a vacant building come to life is one the most exciting things to happen to a downtown,” said Beckett. “As silly as it sounds, I think buildings talk to me and ask me to please find someone to live, work and play in the building.”
Another dream of his is that whoever opens a new restaurant in the building will keep the name “Midway” in the new name of the business.
“Midway is part of the history of Abbeville,” Noel said.

The Abbeville Wildcats made 18 out of 24 shots at the charity stripe and cruised to a 59-33 win over West St. Mary in a non district game.
At the start of the fourth period, the Wildcats (20-6) led by three points, 34-31.
But then West St. Mary went cold shooting, while the Wildcats’ shooting got hot, especially at the free throw line.
The Wildcats went to the free throw line 15 times and impressively made 14 of their free throws in the final seven minutes of the game.
Abbeville’s Matthew Walker, who finished with six points, made two free throws to give AHS a 41-31 lead.
Tyrese Sam was fouled on a layup and he made his free throw for a three-point play and a 46-31 lead.
Jacoby Senegal and Javante Decuir each had 12 points for AHS. Demarcus Collins led the team with 14.

AHS girls.............53
West St. Mary.....25

The Abbeville Lady Wildcats had three players score in double digits in their win over West St. Mary.
Evelyn Briggs had 12, Eliza Chambers made 11 and Tyla Willis chipped in with 10 for AHS.

The Class 3A Coaches All-State Team was recently released and Vermilion Parish players did well on the team.
Two running backs from Vermilion Parish landed on the first team.
Elijah Mitchell of Erath and Julius Johnson of Kaplan landed on the first team as running backs.
Julius Johnson also landed on the first team defense at linebacker.
Parish players who landed on the second team are Connor Dupuy of North Vermilion at wide receiver. Payton Gaspard of Kaplan landed on the second team as a punter.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. at Vincent Funeral Home in Kaplan, LA honoring the life of Therese Broussard LaBry who died Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Eastridge Nursing Center in Abbeville, LA. She will be laid to rest at Fountain Memorial Mausoleum in Lafayette, LA. Father Paul Bienvenu will officiate the services in Kaplan and in Lafayette.
Mrs. LaBry was a proud 100 years old and a life-long resident of Kaplan, LA. She was the only daughter of Ovey and Odilia Broussard. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan LaBry Anderson, and her three brothers: Dr. Leo Broussard; George Broussard; and Henry Broussard.
As a young adult, Therese graduated from Kaplan High School as Valedictorian of her class in 1934. She attended college at SLI (UL) in Lafayette, graduating in 1938 with a degree in Home Economics and Science. In 1944, Therese obtained a Masters Degree from LSU with certification in Supervision and Administration, Science, Home Economics, English, and P.E.
After receiving her Master’s Degree from LSU Therese was offered numerous teaching positions at LSU, Centenary College, Xavier University, McNeese, Arkansas Agricultural College, and the American School Foundation in Mexico City. She was invited to do Health and Nutrition Work in Bogota, Colombia and Haiti which was sponsored by the Office of Inter-American Affairs in Washington, D.C.
Putting family first and being a true Cajun at heart, Therese wanted to give back her experience by teaching in Kaplan and Vermilion Parish for over 30 years. During these years she taught Chemistry, Life Science, and Home Economics. Although a tough teacher, she was highly respected and loved by her students.
During her early years as an educator at Kaplan High School, Therese sponsored a very active Future Homemakers Club of America and acted as advisor for the F.H.A. She also helped reorganize the Girl Scouts. She was a member of the Citizen’s Service Corps and helped with Red Cross work during World War II.
Later in life, Therese was very active in various clubs. She was a charter member of the Chez Elles Federation Women’s Club and a charter member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Other organizations she belonged to were Delta Kappa Gamma, the Louisiana Retired Teachers’ Association, the Vermilion Parish Retired Teachers’ Association, LSU Alumni Association, UL Alumni Association, American Legion Auxiliary, Kaplan Homemakers Club, and the Vermilion Rice Growers’ Association.
One of Mrs. LaBry’s loves was her Cajun heritage. As a result she devoted many years to helping out with the Kaplan Museum, Le Musee de Kaplan. She was a patron and member of the museum. Many family artifacts and historical items were donated or loaned to the museum. She was also on the Kaplan Historical Preservation Commission and the Kaplan Arts Council. A large number of the family’s historical pictures were published in the book The History of Kaplan by Donella LaBry Hargrave. In 1996 she was recognized by the Louisiana State Legislature House of Representatives for her contribution as an early pioneer who helped in developing the City of Kaplan.
Numerous other interests were pursued by Therese. She was very active in the family farming operations working as a manager. She loved gardening and traveling around the United States. Her favorite place to visit was Alaska.
As a grandmother and great-grandmother, Mrs. LaBry enjoyed spending time with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They held a very special place in her heart.
Mrs. LaBry is survived by two daughters, Lea Meisetschlaeger and husband Rodney of Lafayette, LA and Annette Skaggs and husband Jack of Bossier City, LA; four grandchildren, Amy Contreras of Houston, TX, Renee Fuselier of Lafayette, LA, Jack Ryan Skaggs of Bossier City, LA, and Jill Valentine of Bossier City, LA; and five great-grandchildren including Levi Contreras, Mia Contreras, Brady Skaggs, Skylar Skaggs, and Christopher Wooley.
The Therese LaBry family would like to thank Hospice of Acadiana and nurses Robin Broussard and Stephanie. The family would also like to thank all Eastridge Nursing Center Hall 1 employees for their wonderful help and care during her final weeks. Thanks also to Dr. Dana Dicharry, Dr. Randall Faulk, and Dr. Michael Cain for their great bedside manner and genuine concern. Much gratitude goes to Susan Williams for offering to help during a difficult time and to Margie Romero for her friendship and service over the years.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, LA, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Sunday, January 29, 2017 from 10:30 AM until services at 1:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 12:00 PM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the LaBry family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.