Gastonia Downtown - Gastonia N.C.

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Hutchins-Kirby Partnership Announced

Gastonia will soon be seeing considerable changes to some of the more significant Downtown buildings. The Hassani buildings and adjacent key properties, contributing to the National Register District, are the first phase of a multi-phased redevelopment project that is planned by Dr. & Mrs. Charles Hutchins of CHH Properties, L.P. and Nathan Kirby, managing partner of Little Red Hen Development.

According to the Downtown National Register Historic District survey the Hassani property is a Moderne-style cast stone paneled structure with horizontal banding, and the interior has two exposed bowstring truss roofs supported by a center brick load-bearing wall. The corner building at Main and South, formerly the Children’s Shop, was the location of the 2003 Jazz on Main event, sponsored in part by Dr. and Mrs. Hutchins. Dr. and Mrs. Hutchins had the Lawyers’ Building and the Commercial Building placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Discussions between Hutchins and Kirby have resulted in a signed agreement that brings tenants and Phase 1 financing to the table. The partnership’s Phase 1, 2 and 3 plans include retail/restaurant, office and upper floor residential development. The partners are excited about the potential of the planned rehab of these historic structures.

Phase 1 will include demolition of the Pushpa Shop to expose the ornate western wall of the Lawyers’ Building and provide a courtyard, which will be shared by the adjacent bowstring building and the Lawyers’ Building. The planned Phase 2 will consist of the Commercial Building, and Phase 3 will involve development of the Lawyers’ Building and the adjacent vacant lot extending to the Gaston County Tax Office. The sequence may change as the tenant situation demands.

The Bottle Shoppe has signed a letter of intent and will specialize in fine wine and international beer will be located at 192 West Main Avenue, formerly the Children’s Shop.

For further information regarding this project or to discuss leasing options and availability contact Nathan Kirby at 704.898.6664.

Keep an eye on this exciting development as it unfolds.
Click here to view the facade rendering for this project.

The Former Craig & Wilson Carriage Company, circa 1899, was altered to its present "stucco" appearance in the mid 1950's while occupied by Rayless Department Store. Historic photos show the original building was an elaborate High Victorian Gothic-style commercial building with wide arched entry and large flanking transom display windows; large arched windows at third floor; broken pediments at parapets above two projecting front bays. Currently Enhance Development and the McAllister Group are undergoing an historic rehab returning the building to much of its original splendor. The project is planned to be a mixed-use development to include retail/restaurant with office/residential in the upper floors.


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Mel and Erin Black Open Law Firm and NCREEI in Downtown
In operation since 2003, North Carolina Real Estate Education, Inc. is owned by Erin and Mel Black. They offer initial licensing or qualifying education for appraisal and many high quality Continuing Education classes. They also offer online continuing education for appraisal and real estate continuing education.

Mel Black is the former Executive Director of the North Carolina Appraisal Board, a former education officer at the North Carolina Real Estate Commission and a practicing attorney. As an attorney in private practice, Mel specializes in administrative law including representing clients from across the state before various licensing boards.

Erin Black is a former educator and public school administrator. She received her B.A. degree from Wellesley College and her M.S.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is currently the North Carolina Real Estate Education Director and webmaster.

NCREEI is located in the upper floor at 285 W. Main Ave.
The office can be reached at 704-864-1711

Bangz Aveda Salon, located in what was once the Bargin Box that was once the Merit Shoe Store, is located at 169-171 West Main. The entire building is under renovation with office space available above and below the salon. The renovation is a Rehab Tax Credit project, taking advantage of it contributing status to the Downtown National Register Historic District. The building is a brick commercial building, circa 1912.

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Alliance Bank, 285 West Main, is formerly the Albion Grocery. Alliance Bank opened this location in Historic Downtown Gastonia in 2007 in a circa 1908 building that has been totally rehabbed. The building is located on the corner of York (321) and Main Avenue and is significant to the Downtown National Register Historic District.

The Standard Phase 1, 156-162 S. South Street, is comprised of two buildings. The former Standard Hardware building was designed by architect Hugh White. The yellow brick commercial building is three stories, maintains the original recessed storefront with copper skirt panels under the display windows and leaded glass transoms. The building is circa 1922 and is a significant structure to the Downtown National Register Historic District. In October 2006 the mixed-use rehab was completed and now houses the City of Gastonia Code Enforcement Office on the second floor and four residential apartments on the third floor. The brick commercial building immediately to the south is circa 1930 and is also part of the Phase 1 rehab project. GDDC's offce

is located in the storefront with two loft style residential apartments above. The Standard Phase 1 used City Downtown Incentives, Rehab Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits, Gap Financing and GDDC's Mini-Grant Facade programs.

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The Standard Phase 2, located at 164-172 S. South Street, is the former Gastonia Hardware Company. The facade was obscured by metal cladding that was removed to expose the original brick facade. Phase 2 is mixed-use with retail/restaurant planned for the storefronts and residential above. The building was constructed circa 1930.

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Cantlupe's Restaurant
(COMING SOON) is locating in the Groves Building, circa 1904, at 141 West Main Avenue. The brick commercial building of tan brick has two storefronts, one formerly used by Van Sleen Jeweler, 1920-1970, is undergoing a complete rehabilitation that will bring back a more original storefront. Little Red Hen Development, LLC managing member Nathan Kirby is working with the architectural firm The Lawrence Group to transform this property, bringing mixed-use development consisting of restaurant/retail on the

ground floor with office/residential above. The Groves Building is contributing to the Downtown National Register Historic District and is a Rehab Tax Credit project.
Click here for Groves Building layout.
Click here to view the perspective rendering for the restaurant/patio area.

Hickory Furniture
111 West Main Avenue/107 South Marietta opened January 2007. Located in the former S. H. Kress Variety Store, an example of Art Deco architecture, was designed by Edward F. Sibbert, Kress Co. architect, New York . The building is contributing to the Downtown National Register Historic District, circa 1930. Hickory Furniture is a manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of fine furniture. They buy overruns, closeouts, discontinued items from high end companies such as Henredon, Century, Lexington, Hammary and others. They also have designer pieces from Jessica McClintock and Alexander Julian. Hickory Furniture Manufactures custom sofas, chairs, chaises and parson's chairs.

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Robert McAlister has opened a Cricket Premier Dealership at the former Simpson’s Beauty Supply building at Chester and Franklin. He has been located in several areas in Gastonia over 17 years, but says that his current location at 356 W. Franklin is by far the best and his business is increasing. The dealership offers unlimited time phone packages with flat rates, phones and accessories. Cricket Premier Dealer 356 W. Franklin Blvd. Gastonia, NC 28052 704-854-4577



Piedmont Claims Processing, LLC Mother and daughter team Cheri Dunn and Tabatha Wardle have opened their claims processing business in the upper level of 251 W. Main Ave. They have been in business since 2000 and chose Downtown Gastonia because of the convenience to postal services, office supply stores, restaurants and I-85.
Cheri Dunn says of the experience: “Coming down here is great because you get attached to the Downtown area. We would send anybody down here”. They serve clients throughout the southeast and into other areas of the country as well. Piedmont Claims Processing employs a total of 10, with additional staff to be added in the near future. Welcome to Downtown! Piedmont Claims Processing, LLC 251 W. Main Ave., Suite 200 Gastonia, NC 28052 704-852-9728