609 Commercial officially goes on the market Tuesday, and Emporia city officials are setting the ground work for what business — or businesses — will replace Graves Drugs.
Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods tells KVOE News the building cannot be another pharmacy because of contractual obligations. Whatever the use, though, a recent inspection shows the building is in very good shape.
A key question — and one that really relies on the new owner — is whether to have a single store or a multi-use development. Woods says the multi-use option is now considered as “easier to program” in separate spaces, although there is still some demand for a larger business surrounded by a handful of smaller, boutique stores.
As far as potential business categories, Woods says some recent shifts in market attitudes lead to needs for gift stores, convenience stores, decor-style stores, bookstores and clothing merchants. More space for maker-style or experience-based businesses are also popular at this time.
Woods says Main Street can meet onsite with different developers to discuss the city’s various code guidelines, depending on the potential use, and Main Street also has access to different alternative financing methods.
