The owners of the Chop House on Main are looking to purchase 100-120 N. Main St. to establish a ballroom that will seat 300 people. Andrew and Amber Carlson discussed their plans to members of the Jamestown Local Development Corp. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

Andrew and Amber Carlson seem to be having a ball as the owners of numerous restaurants in Chautauqua County. The two have now set their sights on a downtown building that will help others have a ball as well.

On Wednesday, the Carlsons outlined their vision for developing 100-120 N. Main St. into the Ballroom On Main, an extension of the Chop House on Main that the pair own next door. Details for what would be a significant venture inside a largely vacant property were shared with members of the Jamestown Local Development Corp.

Andrew Carlson said the plan is to construct a banquet hall on the building’s second floor large enough to seat 300 people. He said there will be access to the business from North Main Street, with a lobby, bar and cocktail reception area on the first floor.

The Carlsons have submitted an application for a $140,350 “jobs and private investment” loan from JLDC, a not-for-profit corporation that serves as the lending agency of the city’s Department of Development. The money will go toward the purchase of the building, owned currently by the United Christian Advocacy Network.

The pair had attempted to purchase the 100-120 North Main St. building a couple of years ago but lost out when UCAN came in with a higher bid. They already have a ballroom off their Chop House restaurant, though it’s technically located within the Field and Wright building. The ballroom can seat about 80 people at present.

“We were really excited to get the opportunity again to purchase that building to further our investment into downtown Jamestown,” Andrew Carlson said.

Due to a lack of quorum, JLDC tabled the Carlsons’ request for a 10-year fixed loan. The resolution will be taken up through unanimous consent before heading to the Jamestown City Council for approval.

See Friday’s edition for complete coverage.