Thursday, October 22, 2009

Anyone know what this variance request is about?



It's the corner of 10th and East Spring (919 E. Spring), in the building formerly housing the Garner medical practice. The "offices" part makes sense, but "furniture sales" doesn't, at least yet. I'm afraid that if it comes to pass, they'll cover up the windows like all the other furniture stores in town have done. Just joking. Not really.
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11 comments:

TedF said...

The hpc approved a coa for exterior repair and painting on Wed. Mr. Wooley, who also lives on the block, was the applicant. We also approved a garage door on the 10th St side of the building. As I understand it, the building will be a furniture/design store.

5:08 AM
Jeff Gillenwater said...

There are more ways to sell furniture than a crammed-full, warehousing model. A few tasteful vignettes can work just as well, especially if you're selling design services in addition to the furnishings.

8:15 AM
The New Albanian said...

I'm completely in favor of alternative furinture sale models.

Having lived in this area my entire life, I also know that the preferred local model is Little Man's Bargain's opposite Studio's on Main, and that when selling furniture at any scale large or small, the preference is to close up windows for reasons that are not reasons, but bullshit, and we permit them to do it, which is also bullshit.

Now that I have that off my chest ... Ted, I appreciate the explanation.

8:45 AM
Jeff Gillenwater said...

It's an interesting dichotomy.

An influx of large scale furniture and appliance dealing is often a sign of economic downturn. It simply means that the cheapest square footage available for such space hungry ventures is in your downtown, which isn't a good thing.

By the same token, the choice of a smaller, (well done) neighborhood retailing model could mean that such large spaces are less economically feasible due to demand driven higher prices. If that's the case, it's a positive.

Your point about windows stands, though. There are numerous ways to deal with UV rays besides plywood. If one can afford to own multiple buildings, the idea that window repair is cost prohibitive is pretty silly.

9:09 AM
The New Albanian said...

Yep, and years pass by, and we continue to coddle them. For the life of me, I don't known why. With the YMCA in place, a building such as the one owned by Schmitt Furniture could be a beacon, a model and an inspiration.

Then there's the other downtown furniture retailer ... geez, maybe I'm just depressed because of the rain.

9:28 AM
na girl said...

www.barrywooley.com

12:10 PM
Jeff Gillenwater said...

That's excellent.

...breathtaking visual vignettes and use of space assist customers with their design inspiration and educates them on how to visually mix eclectic styles.

12:51 PM
The New Albanian said...

Sure is.

12:55 PM
Iamhoosier said...

Very cool. If only I could afford such services. We need a repair and redesign/redecorate.

1:11 PM
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
2:08 PM
Ann said...

oops--wrong log-in on the previous post, hence the deletion.

Remember one thing--don't believe everything you read.

2:11 PM

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