After being vacant for more than eight years, the old Eggerts Furniture Clearance Center in the heart of downtown is certainly an empty eye sore.
However, according to the building's realtor, that could change soon. Lori Hake of Judson and Associates says there's been recent interest in the space, including a local man looking to develop the building into a new retail hot spot.
"We've got a retailer that's looking at it," Hake said. "It could turn into something like retail spaces downstairs and office spaces upstairs. The village is also open to it being residential, but they'd really like the first floor to be retail space because of all the great work about to happen on Main Street."
That’s why Patch turned its spotlight on the empty building to ask: What do you think should occupy the enormous, centrally located space?
With the , the vacant space has potential to be one of the hottest commodities on the street. The two-story building sits less than a block west the on the corner of Main Street and Silver Spring Drive.
What do you think should occupy the enormous, centrally located space?
A man from the Town of Lisbon purchased the property with plans to develop it at some point, according to village officials. Hake said he's already installed a new water line for sprinklers or restaurant utilities, made roof improvements and removed the old garage to improve parking.
The building is:
- 10,000 square-feet on 0.95 acres of land
- Ready for up to 45 parking spaces
- Constructed out of concrete and brick
- Connected to sewer and water
- Equipped with heat and air conditioning
- Two stories, with an entrance on Main Street and Hillview Road
While the building was built in 1968, it’s still valued by Judson & Associates at $480,000.
"One of the current owners is a builder and he did some renderings of his idea for the exterior of the building," Hake said. "They are not detailed, but they give a little feel for where he was going with it."
So forget village codes, taxes and all the legal mumbo jumbo. Think big. Considering the enormous size of the building and its prime location in the heart of downtown Sussex, in your opinion, what business is perfect for the old furniture store?
Tell us in the comments. You never know who could be reading them!
Editor's Note: This space was updated with new information from Judson & Associates regarding the building and possible retail plans.
Seriously, if I think about what I shop outside of Sussex for, it's office supplies, specialty grocery, and sporting goods.