Renovated building in Zoar nearly ready for small business
A building constructed in the 1970s and featuring a mansard roof just didn’t fit in with surrounding Zoar architecture. So the Zoar Community Association spearheaded a recent effort to fix that.
“We redid the outside to make it look more harmonious with the village,” said Jon Elsasser, president of the ZCA. “Because it had this stone façade, we decided to model it after the Zoar Bakery.”
Now called 151 First Street, the newly renovated building features an exterior more harmonious with its surroundings, a first floor designed to accommodate a small business, a remodeled second-floor apartment and public restrooms. Situated on the southeast side of the Zoar Hotel parking lot, it also offers plenty of parking.
“We would like to find somebody who wants to run some sort of amenity business for the community and for visitors,” Elsasser said. “It could be a small restaurant, but we think a good use might be an ice cream shop possibly offering other foods.”
The first floor is set up to accommodate a sink, fridge, coolers, food prep, business counter and a few small tables. “There is also space for outdoor dining,” Elsasser said.
All renovations to date have been funded by grants. “The building is actually owned by the Ohio History Connection, and we rent it from them,” Elsasser said.
He said when OHC bought the Zoar Hotel, the building, which is situated in the hotel parking lot, came with it.
“The entire project so far has been funded by grants,” Elsasser said, including grants from the Ohio & Erie Canal Association and one from state for the bathrooms.
“With Zoar being a National Historic Landmark, you have to be careful what you do in terms of restoration,” Elsasser said. “The State Historic Preservation Office, which oversees these projects, didn’t want us to make it look exactly like an old Zoar building because they felt it would be sort of deceptive.”
The main focus was on just making it fit into its historical surroundings, starting with the exterior. “Then the real heart of the project is inside,” Elsasser said of the building that formerly housed two apartments. “We also added handicap-accessible restrooms for use by tourists and folks using the Towpath Trail. And if a business goes in the first floor, the restrooms can be used by them and their employees.”
An upgraded apartment
Elsasser said the second floor used to be a three-bedroom apartment. “We’re turning it into a 1 1/2 bedroom and making it a bit more upscale.”
Once the first floor is finished, Elsasser said ZCA will look at finances and start applying for grants to finish that portion of the project.
“The living room had a wall dividing it from a dining area, so we removed it to make it a big open area,” Elsasser said. “We added a window to let in more natural light, and we removed a wall between the two bedrooms to create a master bedroom with a walk-in closet.”
There also is another room that can serve as either an office or a small bedroom, and a small balcony has been added.
Completing the project will include tearing down a home directly behind 151 First St., which was there before the building was erected.
The ZCA is accepting proposals for a business to occupy the first floor. “We want it to be an asset for Zoar, so the rent will be very reasonable,” Elsasser said. “It’s more important that we get a good operator who makes money and stays for the long-term. That’s our goal.”
Proposals can be sent to the Zoar Community Association at P.O. Box 621, Zoar, OH 44697.