RECENT COMMENTS
Looking for retail space in Church Hill?
A reader writes in:
I am having a bit of a hard time finding any commercial leasing opportunities in Church Hill, and I was wondering if you could possibly post about it on chpn, or if you know of anyone who knows of commercial leasing opportunities in the neighborhood. I’m basically looking for a 500-1000 SQFT space that is zoned for retail.
The question came up last September, with a few good suggestions.
In addition, this space on Marshall is still available and on the other end of the scale one of the retail spots on the 1000 block of 25th Street from the Better Block weekend (the one that had Unicia and April’s stuff) is available (saw a ‘for rent’ sign in the window…).
Anything else new to add?
Finally… how far back is 2009? Check this out…
TAGGED: question
There are a couple small buildings on the 3300 block of E Marshall St that could use some new life.
How about that cute little place across from WPA at the corner of 27th & Marshall?
MaryLou, That is the Wills Grocery Store built in 1815 (oldest commercial building in Richmond). It is historically linked to our house as one of the buildings for the owner’s business.
It has been an ongoing problem with the current owner and the city as well as some racial tension issues. To keep from being “told what and what not to do” by the city, they simply have left it gutted since 2004 after being condemned by the city, passed from one family member to another to avoid violation fines, and priced out of range so no one would buy it. The last I heard they wanted $500,000 when a fair value assessment was done several years ago by the city and was worth $105,000. They did create an apartment on the second floor per plans to help pay taxes but sits over a building with code violations and the city turning a blind eye towards them.
I would LOVE for it to be renovated back to the 1815 front and even supplied Newbille a sketch when we met with her in 2011 when our grassroots group tried to make a difference but she ignored everyone. Again part of her noncommittal stance for preservation over progress in historic neighborhoods.
Bottom line, you would need deep pockets or know the owners to get the building or it will simply fall into the ground decades from now sitting as it is now.