Opening a restaurant and nightclub has been a dream of F. Michael Baker and some of his friends for a long time — now it's about to come true as Corazón restaurant and nightclub, which will kick off in early March in a space formerly occupied by WilLee's Blues Club.

With years of experience in Santa Fe as a musician, a promoter and a restaurateur, "I really feel like there's definitely a niche we can fill," Baker said. "It's going to be unique."

Baker, who has worked in many local restaurants and used to run the kitchen at Il Piatto, has several partners, including managing partner Soren Uhl and bar manager Dan Oesterling, all longtime Santa Fe residents.

"When the opportunity arose to purchase WilLee's arose, (we) jumped at the chance, recognizing the potential to create the venue that each of (us) has envisioned for years," Baker said in an e-mail. Chef Tim Butterly and head bartender Richard Leaken are also involved in the new business.

The interior space is being remodeled, including a larger stage and dance floor and a new bar. "We're making it a warmer, friendlier place," Baker said. "There's also new lighting."

Improvements are also being made to the dining areas and patio.

WilLee's, which closed New Year's Day following five years in business, was more of a "watering hole," Baker added. "We have a different idea. The place needed a scrub-down and a face-lift."

Corazón will offer lunch, dinner and nightlife, with the restaurant opening at 11 a.m. for lunch and then serving until the nightclub closes in the early hours of the morning.

For lunch, the restaurant plans salads, wraps and sandwiches that Baker promises will be affordable for the many office and retail workers in the area, as well as for visitors who arrive on the Rail Runner, which stops across the street from Corazón.

Those items are "real expensive" at other restaurants right now, Baker said, making it difficult to have lunch for less than $15 or even $20. "We're shooting for much more reasonable prices." They also plan to deliver.

In the late afternoon and evening, the house menu will emphasize pub fare and regional cuisine, including hamburgers, quesadillas, shrimp cocktails and green chile stew.

"This (dinner) menu will be aimed at serving everyone from downtown restaurant staff on their way to a shift to business people looking for a place to unwind and eat after work to late-night club-goers with an appetite," the e-mail said.

Financing the new business was accomplished "on a wing and a prayer," Baker said, and includes smaller investors and people in the area, including the owner of the property, Philip Gudwin.

"He (Gudwin) has been very helpful," Baker said. "He understands what we're talking about."

Corazón will lease a liquor license, picking up the option to buy it in the next few years. "It's easier to lease, and it's a much quicker process," Baker said.

Baker said he and his partners are aware of the difficulties facing night spots in Santa Fe, where such places as WilLee's, the Green Onion, Fox's, the Paramount, Club Alegria and others have come and gone.

Baker is not deterred.

"I looked at the books of WilLee's, and they were doing fine," he said. "What it got down to was they got tired of running it. They had a good run for five years, and one of them went on to study law and the other is teaching people to scuba dive."

That's happened to other club owners, he said, and doesn't discourage him or his partners.

Baker's also aware of the DWI problem and hopes to work with other club owners and the city to come up some solutions that would allow people to enjoy local nightlife without becoming a menace on the road.

For more information, visit ww.myspace.com/corazonsantafe.

Contact Bob Quick at 986-3011 or e-mail bobquick@sfnewmexican.com.