State-Journal.com - Possibilities include art gallery, apartment

Photo By State Journal/Hilly Schiffer The old Noonan’s Grocery, located at the corner of Second and Shelby streets, was going to be demolished, but its new owners are working to turn it into an art gallery and apartment.

Plans to renovate the old Noonan's grocery property could include an art gallery and an apartment.
The building at the corner of Shelby and Second Street has been empty since Noonan's closed in 1981.

The owners believe it housed a grocery as early as 1884.

Several neighbors bought the property from Bill Noonan for about $73,000 in November 2007 when it was scheduled to be demolished.

"We just don't like seeing a building torn down to make a parking lot," said co-owner Natalie Wilkerson. "We were willing to put the money up to do that."

Wilkerson along with Ellen Glasgow bought out the other owners and are trying to secure financing for the project. They hope the gallery will be finished this summer.

Wilkerson is a homemaker and has a master's in historic preservation from the University of Kentucky.
She says the financial crisis has slowed progress as banks are more cautious about making loans. So, they will also apply for state and federal incentives.

When they bought the property, Wilkerson said it was in poor condition - the second floor and roof had almost completely collapsed. She said there's still a lot of work to be done, including heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical work.

"The bones are back in and it's ready for finishing," Wilkerson said.

Wilkerson and Glasgow have already spent more than $100,000 on renovations and repairs.

"If you are looking for a quick return on your money, a complete rehabilitation project isn't the way to do it," Wilkerson said. "This is a long-term project."

The art gallery will be about 1,500 square feet and the upstairs apartment will be about 1,400 square feet with one bedroom and one bath. Wilkerson said the apartment will have an open living and dining room and a great view of South Frankfort and the Capitol.

She said they plan to restore the historic second-story windows including four facing south on Second Street and five or six facing east on Shelby Street. Some of the windows have been bricked-over, but they will be renovated and restored.

"It will be a beautiful vantage point to see South Frankfort," she said. "There will be lots of natural light."

Glasgow said she'll use the art gallery to display larger pieces of art, including sculptures, paintings and weavings. She owns Capital Gallery and has about the same amount of space, but it is divided up into two gallery rooms, an office and a bathroom.

The new gallery has high ceilings and lots of open space, including a big wall with no windows, she said. Glasgow said she won't close Capital Gallery after opening the new facility.

"I'm just changing the way I do business," she said.

She said the property will offer an avenue into downtown and will help anchor the neighborhood.

"It has a lot of potential," Glasgow said. "We think it's the ideal spot."