Published: July 25, 2008 10:06 am            

Business owner painting former Smith’s Furniture building

The black paint covering the former Smith’s Furniture and Appliance building at 102 E. Market St. in New Albany is faded, and the windows that should capture sunlight are boarded up, but not for long.

Todd Coleman, owner of Classic Furniture at 201 Pearl St. and co-owner of Classic Furniture, Too, which now occupies the former Smith’s building, is on a renovation mission.

He knew when he purchased the building nearly two years ago what needed to be done, and with the help of Historic Preservation Commission member Eli Beardsley, what was an eyesore will soon be a splash of attention.

“When I first bought the building a couple of years ago, I thought it was probably the ugliest building in downtown,” Coleman said.

Beardsley has been scraping paint off the building since Monday, and Coleman plans to join him on the lift next week.

“Personally, I don’t think anyone should ever paint a building black,” Beardsley said.

Smith’s had been lying empty for two years before Coleman purchased it. The plan is to paint it an antique white color, with burgundy accents. Coleman hopes to begin painting next week, and said the process should move quickly after that. He also plans to repaint Classic Furniture to match its sister location.

“Hopefully this will get some more people to stop in,” Coleman said, adding the renovation, which includes repairing the windows on the second and third floors as well as painting, will be expensive.

“We want people to come downtown and support all the local businesses.”

Beardsley’s father, Stephen, owns several buildings along Pearl Street, which also will be renovated before October’s Harvest Homecoming celebration, he said.

Stephen Beardsley is providing the lift for the revitalization effort and his son said it would be available for other business owners who wish to tackle a similar project.

Classic Furniture, Too, is located in New Albany’s Historic Downtown District, which means special permits are required before renovation work can be completed.

Beardsley said Coleman was diligent in applying for approval and following the guidelines of the district.

“I think it will be a huge morale boost for downtown,” Beardsley said.

Coleman started Classic Furniture 12 years ago at the age of 23, selling couches, recliners and mattresses in a 3,000-square-foot space.

With the addition of Classic Furniture, Too, and expansions to his first venture, he now operates more than 80,000 square feet of furniture space, making him one of the largest property owners in downtown.

“Without all the furniture stores in downtown, I believe other businesses would be struggling,” he said.

Coleman owns six buildings in New Albany and is considering buying more. He used to live in apartment in downtown above one of his businesses, as he feels entrepreneurs should live in the city they work in. He still lives in New Albany.

“We’re here for the long haul,” Coleman said.

Coleman’s father, Butch Coleman, helps manage the Classic Furniture, Too, location. He said people have been stopping in throughout the week to ask about the work going on outside.

“The whole downtown will look different from this one building,” he said.

Beardsley said the structure is one of the easiest to spot in downtown, and he said with a new paint job, it will be a highlight instead of a detraction.

He said some residents of New Albany still have negative feelings associated with downtown, but improvements to the older buildings in the area can reverse those sentiments.

“Perception is reality,” Beardsley said.

        

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