Sprucing up Downtown
Plumbing business, JavaCat make changes
By Bobbi Mlynar
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A spacious courtyard and a total makeover were among the changes made in downtown Emporia this fall.
When Fred and Lillian Spellman decided to make some improvements to their business, they did it in a big way.
Inside and outside, nothing remains the same at Plumbing by Spellman, 821 Commercial St.
Fred Spellman designed all of the renovations and hired Hastco as general contractor to execute the plans.
The Spellmans opened the business in 1977 at 920 Commercial St., but soon outgrew that building. They bought the old Powell Motor Co. building from Floyd and Verne Powell and moved in 1979. Architect Trevor Lewis had designed the building, which was constructed by Markowitz Builders in the early 1950s.
“The 75-foot-wide building has no center supports,” Fred Spellman wrote of the building. “It is said that at the time of the construction, this was the widest free-spanned building in Emporia.”
Remodeling had been on the Spellmans’ minds for some time, he said, with considerable thought being given to complying with the Historical Neighborhood designation inherent with several buildings in the area.
“The Granada restoration, the future Arts Council relocation, and the beautiful churches on either corner of the block were also very important in the decision,” Spellman said.
The old porcelain panels that once formed the building’s facade have been replaced with a modern-looking stucco finish. All that remains is to make a decision on the replacement sign.
“We’re having problems getting the right color,” Spellman said. “... Everything we have available just clashes with what we have now, so we’re looking at color samples.”
When the inside work is finished, visitors will find a totally different showroom and office area.
“We’re doing a total renovation,” Spellman said. “We’ve downsized the windows, new electrical, we’re putting in a new ceiling, new floor, new display, new lighting. So it’ll all be new. We’re just cleaning up the image.”
The windows have been reduced by 5 1/2 feet, from 11 1/2-foot single-paned windows to six-foot dual panes, which should cut utility costs.
The ceiling will be replaced with a new suspended ceiling.
“Now we have the original ceiling, the old drop ceiling which is insulated, and now our new ceiling,” Spellman said. “That gives us three dead air spaces. That’s good insulation. ... I think we’ll heat it with a candle now.”
New carpeting will be the finishing touch for the project, which is expected to be completed around Thanksgiving in time for an open house with coffee and pumpkin cookies.
All four of the Spellmans’ children have worked in the business during their high school and college years and two of them — Jason and Leonard — continue as part of the 10-employee workforce, which includes Mark Dixon, a 17-year employee, and Norman Foster, who has been with Spellman for six years.
“Don Engles has been with us since the day we opened,” Spellman said, adding that other employees have been with the company for 18 or 19 years.
Engles will continue scheduling service and managing the retail business on the new showroom floor.
Accommodation has been made for the oversized cartoon that for years has been a visible downtown feature, tucked just inside the front driveway into the business.
“It’ll be framed,” Spellman said.
JavaCat
About three blocks away from the plumbing store, an outdoor dining area covered by lattice went up at JavaCat-5, 610 Merchant St.
Owner Scott Bolley said the preliminary designs for the addition were done in February.
“But then we found out that we were within 500 feet of the Kress Building, so we had to go through all the rigermarole of getting it approved,” Bolley said.
The Kress Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; that makes major changes to nearby buildings subject to approval by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
“So, it put us off about six months before we could break ground,” Bolley said.
Emporia Remodeling and Construction began the project in August and finished in early October.
“It’s been about a nine-month process,” Bolley said. “We were hoping to have it open by May, but with the complications of getting approval, it took us into, obviously, August.”
The project includes a new back door that allows natural light into JavaCat, “which was a great addition, even if we hadn’t put the patio on,” he said.
The patio is 50 feet long and 18 feet wide.
“It probably doubles our seating capacity and it provides an outstanding view of downtown activity,” he said.
It also is expected to enhance business from travelers who see JavaCat 5 as they drive along Sixth Avenue, which is just south of the adjacent parking lot.
“It’s just a constant traffic flow,” Bolley said of his out-of-town customers. “They see us and they pull over.”
Outdoor ceiling fans are being installed above the patio and, in the spring, vines will be planted to grow over the top of the lattice roof above. Bolley has added wrought-iron outdoor tables and chairs, with some tables featuring umbrellas for additional shade.
“We’re getting ready to expand our menu,” Bolley said, mentioning adding beef and chicken to the salads expected to enhance the meal choices. “We’re got a pretty healthy menu, but we’re going to take it the next step.”
Bolley’s changes to the restaurant coincide with its fifth anniversary this month.
“We’re marking our five years here to keep it fresh,” Bolley said. “It’s been fun, a labor of love.”
hjcary (anonymous) says...
They listed Spellman Plumbing's address incorrectly. It is actually in the 800 block of Commercial St. next to Fox Pool and Patio which has been at its location for 26 years or so.
October 24, 2007 at 4:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
dont go bummin when it comes to plummin that one?
October 24, 2007 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
I am thrilled to see that downtown Emporia is sprucing up the way it is. I remember it fondly from my "childhood", and personally... I cannot wait to come back and visit. There are so many new things in town!
Now, if the town can just work on the jobs and housing, I might actually move back :)
October 24, 2007 at 5:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
have you been hearing the 'slow drain' noise? it s all the good jobs leaving town, dont hear anything about them being replaced with above poverty wage jobs. just an idea, if emporia is truly interested in improvments, do things to keep the graduating college students in town instead of bringing in big box stores and chain restaurants in to attract more low wage earners.
October 24, 2007 at 6:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
Emporia lacks good white collar jobs. We need to attract those types of places.
October 24, 2007 at 7:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
One small suggestion, and yeah I know not a lot of people can do anything about it.... perhaps the Flinthills Mall can do a better job of getting some businesses in there. That would open up some more jobs. Emporia could use a decent mall. Not only would it open up some more jobs, but it would provide something for the teens to do on the weekends. Not the best choice of an activity for them, but perhaps better than going out and causing trouble? It's just a thought.
October 24, 2007 at 8:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )