NORMAL - It's the end of the line for the former Caboose in downtown Normal. The building at 101 North St. will be razed at the end of the year after a plan to move it was sidetracked by a lack of interest.

Downtown Marketing Manager Nora Dukowitz said the town did not receive any proposals to move the 40-year-old building. The site is needed for a roundabout that will circulate traffic from North and Beaufort streets and the future Constitution Boulevard.

Many think the brick-red building was a former train depot, but it wasn't. Albert Meyers just wanted it to look like one.

It was part of Myers' plan to bring a clothing store called Caboose Inc. to town in 1966. The store catered to male college students.

To get an even more authentic feel, Meyers also brought in an authentic, 19-ton caboose to sit on abandoned railroad tracks on the west side of the building. The caboose became part of the store.

Versions of the caboose were duplicated by Schwulst Lumber Co. to serve as branch stores in 13 college towns across the United States. The chain store failed after clothing styles changed. The local building was sold to a bank in 1970. The authentic caboose was moved to a private home.

Since then, the building has housed numerous businesses, including the popular Abe's Carmelcorn. The town purchased it in 2000 and has been using for the community development and downtown development offices.

Those offices will be moved to 108 E. Beaufort St., a building recently purchased by the town, this fall, Dukowitz said, allowing the old Caboose building to be razed.

Through the years, said Downtown Development Director Wayne Aldrich, several people indicated an interest in buying and moving the building so the town decided to seek proposals for that option.

Dukowitz said some people may have been deterred from the idea because moving it is expensive.