Among the pleasant discoveries inside the new and restored Mary Lou's Milk Bottle, the fire-damaged food place on West Garland, was the open ceiling area near the main door.

Owners Ed and Kris Ritchie found that the ceiling of the building, before the fire, hid the bottle's interior open "neck" -- the 15-foot cylindrical opening that is distinctive to this type of architecture.

When working with Compass Contruction of Spokane to reopen, they all agreed to restore the neck's open space.

Nicely, Compass owner Fred Anderson decided to add one non-authentic but fun detail. He took four old milk bottles purchased on Craigslist and converted them into lights that hang inside the ceiling opening.

He made the fixtures himself and donated them to the Ritchies, in time for tomorrow's public opening of the Milk Bottle, at 802 W. Garland.

Fun fact: he bought eight, but broke four in the process of making the lights. Luckily, he only needed four.

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