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The music may have stopped, but the sign will live on.

A colorful marquee that once served Music Millennium, one of the city’s most beloved record stores before it closed in 2007, is gaining new life. A renovation is wrapping up to convert the Northwest Portland space and an adjacent one that formerly housed a soap shop, into a restaurant. The marquee will be repurposed as part of the project, said Sue Erickson, who is starting the restaurant with her business partner, Wendy Hessel.

鈥淭he fact that it’s an iconic space in Northwest Portland, in a historic building, in a historic space and with that fantastic marquee 鈥� it’s just awesome,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t’s something I’ve always thought of doing.鈥�

Erickson and Hessel have years of experience in the food industry, in a variety of positions such as bartender and manager. The down economy inspired them to start the restaurant, named Fireside, Erickson said.

鈥淭here are not a lot of jobs or civil-paying jobs, so I decided, 鈥榊ou know what? I’ve always really done this; I’m just going to take it one step further,’ 鈥� she said. 鈥淚t’s just an industry I’ve always really loved.鈥�

The restaurant will be based on outdoor cooking 鈥� barbecue and picnic food, Erickson said. Most of the fare will be cooked over an open fire in a 鈥渉ome-like and cozy鈥� atmosphere, she said.

Erickson had hoped to design restaurants; she received a degree in interior design in 2009. However, A57 Architecture, based in the Pearl District, designed this renovation.

The first construction phase is done. The wall that separated the two spaces was torn down and a lounge and dining area was created. It will hold a bar and two large fireplaces, which will be the focal points of the room, Erickson said. 鈥淣atural鈥� wood and metal materials will be used to furnish the interior.

鈥淭he feeling of the space will be a warm yet appropriately Northwest space,鈥� said Patricia Gardner, who is designing the project. 鈥淚t’s basically turning a empty shell into a restaurant.鈥�

The building’s mechanical systems, such as plumbing, are being updated and a kitchen is being added.

Existing windows will be replaced with bifold wood windows. The door to the former record store will be replaced and serve as the restaurant’s entrance. The door to the former soap shop will be removed and a wall will be put in its place.

Overall, the building’s exterior will remain relatively the same, Erickson said 鈥� from its ivy-covered walls to the marquee, which will change only slightly.

When the restaurant opens, the building could once again make an impact in Northwest Portland, Erickson said.

鈥淭he geographic location of the store is the hub of 23rd (Avenue),鈥� she said. 鈥淲e aspire to be a comfy neighborhood hangout spot where neighbors can stop in.鈥�

The restaurant is expected to open by the first week of November.