West Columbus Avenue is abuzz with activity this summer as a new wave of downtown development kicks into high gear.
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ABOVE: Developer Jason Duff, right, talks to employees of the local construction company Robinson Building Solutions, who are renovating living space on the second and third stories of the Lofts 110 at 110 S. Main St. The downtown living project is among several restoration efforts expected to be complete later this year. HOME PAGE SLIDE SHOW PHOTO: The buildings on the northwest corner of Detroit Street and Columbus Avenue are among locations downtown currently being restored. The upper level of the corner structure features a unique view of the Logan County Courthouse to the east. (EXAMINER PHOTOS | REUBEN MEES) |
Probably the most immediate impact will come when a pair of sisters reopen the Peachtree Boutique while a separate arts and crafts business will locate in the easternmost of the three storefronts.
Meanwhile, the current owner of House of Szechwan is planning to buy his own building and transform it into a new restaurant space by year’s end as a new café operator looks to locate in the Main Street Marketplace.
Behind the scenes, developer Jason Duff and his team are working to prepare new spaces for ground floor businesses and upper level living spaces or offices throughout the historic structures of downtown.
“There’s been a real resurgence of retail in communities like Bellefontaine. Often businesses are looking to offer products you can’t buy on the Internet or through Amazon,” Mr. Duff said, noting that downtown Greenville, Ohio, which mirrors Bellefontaine in population, geography and history, has had success in this area.
“Our research also tells us people who eat downtown miss having a place to go for breakfast so that’s a missing component we’re looking to fill this summer,” he added.
“But our biggest gamble is to see if Bellefontaine supports loft-style living. Research tells us millennials support urban style living and with 80 to 90 percent of downtown Bellefontaine vacant on the second floor, we hope that can be a hot commodity.”
Read complete story in Saturday’s Examiner.
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