Xenia Carnegie Library to be converted into restaurant, events and culinary center

XENIA — Xenia City Council voted unanimously to transfer the Carnegie Library property to a developer who plans to transform the more than 100-year-old building into a restaurant and events venue, according to city records.

“The Carnegie Library has been a focal point in Xenia since it opened on June 26, 1906, serving as the central library in Greene County until 1978 when the current Xenia Library opened on Market Street to accommodate the needs of a growing library system,” the city said.

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The building at 194 E. Church Street was briefly used as a private home in 1983 before it was sold back to Greene County, who last month handed the property over to the city.

According to city documents, the owner of Sweets Boutique Bakery & Cafe plans to run the new facility.

Plans call for the upper level of the building to be a casual cafe style restaurant that would also be used for an event venue. Brunch and lunch would be served daily with prices for meals ranging from $5 to $12, city records show.

After hours events at the location would be quiet, tasteful, respectful and ending by 10 p.m., the plans read.

The lower level of the building would be used as a culinary center where the community could take cooking and decorating classes and also attend lectures from visiting chefs, doctors and authors who promote healthy cooking.

The kitchen also would be used to fill orders for other local businesses and prepare food for off-site catering.

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