Paul McCoin works on the renovation of an old textile supply building on Main Street on Thursday. The building is being renovated into a residence and retail storefront by Collier Construction.Plan: Convert an abandoned factory and warehouse on Main Street into a residence and retail storefront. When completed later this year, the structure will include a 1,400-square-foot storefront with about 3,700 square feet of residential space for the owner behind the store.
Location: 317 E. Main St.
Investment: Projected at $300,000
Owners: David and Susan Dyer, a retired couple from Wisconsin. Susan operates a jewelry business out of their current rental home on Mountain Creek Road.
Builders: Collier Construction
History: The single-story, light manufacturing building was built in 1980, sold in 1987 and used by Reeves Re-Needling Co., until the business closed its local operations nearly two years ago. The Dyers bought the building in March for $285,000.
Why: David Dyer, 65, said he and his wife began visiting Chattanooga to see a sister who lives on Signal Mountain and decided to relocate to Chattanooga when David retired. The couple wanted to buy and rebuild a home on the Southside "where we can walk to restaurants and other attractions." Dyer worked in the wood products industry before retiring and has previously rehabilitated other structures. "It's a great location and we think it has a lot of potential," he said.