|
River Run Antiques will occupy all three floors of the former Ben Franklin site at William and Caroline streets. |
THE OLD Ben Frank-lin sign in downtown Fredericksburg will be replaced by one with a familiar name this summer.
River Run Antiques Mall, located below Ben Franklin, will take over all three floors of the building at William and Caroline streets after it is renovated in August.
"It's one of the critical corners in Fredericksburg," said mall owner Terry Smith. "I'm mindful of that and want to do a good job."
River Run Antiques Mall will remain open in the basement while the first and second floors are painted and display windows on the Caroline Street side are extended into the store by three or four feet.
Smith will put a black-and-white "River Run Antiques Mall" sign over the front entrance, and display his bedroom sets and office furniture in the windows.
"The furniture will be set up to look the way it will look in your home," Smith said.
He specializes in refinished furniture from the 1900s to 1950s. Some of the pieces were originally used in the House of Representatives, Library of Congress and Supreme Court.
Smith plans to increase the number of vendors leasing space in the mall. Among them could be Ben Franklin owner Charles Britt, who might continue operating his framing business there.
Smith also will have a 500-square-foot space on the third floor that can be leased as an office or art gallery. It will have a separate entrance.
Meanwhile, the Courtyard by Marriott at the corner of Charlotte and Caroline streets is edging closer to its opening date, and construction of a butcher shop at 405 William St. is about to get under way.
Marriott will begin training employees next week, and the hotel should open sometime next month.
"I can't put a date on it. I'm targeting end of next week, but can't sell a room on one of those days," said Brian Cook, vice president of operations for two of the hotel's three partners.
Abby Construction is about to begin work on Olde Towne Butcher, which will be in the former location of Mind Melds near the Fredericksburg farmers market.
"We hope to open sometime in August," said owner Lee Russell, a Caroline Street resident who'd been a butcher for Giant and Costco.
He said the shop will have a glass case displaying cuts of beef, buffalo, chicken and other meats, most of which will be organic and/or locally raised. He'll also take custom orders, which most grocers no longer do, and can have things wrapped and ready for customers who call ahead.
"I want to remind people of what [butcher shops] used to be," Russell said. "I want people to walk in and smell the garlic from the sausages and stuff like that. You'll be able to go up to the counter and a person is there for you."
Cathy Jett: 540/374-5407
Email: cjett@freelancestar.com
