With the opening of Olde Towne Books, a page has been turned forward in the revitalization of a section of Brainerd Road, officials report.
Jeff and Beverly Whitley have opened the store, bringing to life an old building that that had been in decline for decades. The couple, who moved from Soddy-Daisy to the Brainerd area five years ago, bought the building in Olde Towne Brainerd a year later as a package deal that included a neighboring building that Mr. Whitley had previously rented and renovated and used for his drafting business. He later bought the two neighboring buildings.
“We started fixing this building up,” Mrs. Whitley said of the bookstore. At the time, it was in bad shape, having been divided and used most recently as a beauty shop and photographer’s studio.
Fast facts* The building was constructed in 1940.* The building was reported to have begun life as an automobile repair garage.* Part of the collection features a leather-bound set of the works of Tolstoy — in French.* The collection includes a large set of leather books, some signed by the author, and some other regular books signed by author.* The store features several comfortable sitting areas available for small group and book club meetings at no fee.
Now it houses a collection of 25,000 used books, some rare, some current. There are so many books that not all are on display, but the couple has hired Barbara Salisbury, formerly of A Novel Idea on Frazier Avenue, to keep the collection organized. She’ll also be involved in Internet sales, book searches to fill requests and book assessment.
The decision to open a business in Brainerd made sense to the Whitleys. “We didn’t want to live in a community and ignore what was around us,” Mrs. Whitley said. So they worked with others in the neighborhood to determine what would be the best business for the area with hopes that it will become as thriving as the North Shore and Southside, they said.
“We’ll consider any book someone wants to bring in to buy or sell on consignment,” Mrs. Whitley said. And, the Whitleys hope to bring people in for book signings, group meetings and other functions, they said. The bookstore will be open seven days a week.
A gem in the rough
As renovations on the building proceeded, the Whitleys were amazed at what they uncovered. Walls were removed, as were acoustic ceiling tiles. They also labored to remove dry wall and plaster.
What was revealed was a look back in time: handsome brick walls, cement floors, bow trusses, all refurbished while keeping their historic appeal. Wooden bookcases, now filled, were installed throughout the center of the large, open main space. The original windows, complete with working transoms, were saved and bring natural light and energy inside.
The exterior of Olde Towne Books boasts a large parking area for 40 cars in the rear, as well as street parking in front.
Mr. Whitley, now out of the drafting business, has a new office in the bookstore. He has leased his former office building to another business. The restroom was renovated to Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
Looking to the future
Marti Rutherford, former councilwoman and now a Realtor and advocate of growth in the Brainerd area, said the three-block area that extends from the Missionary Ridge tunnel to near Vista Drive, which includes the area of the book shop, is ripe for development.
“This (bookstore) is the catalyst that will make it work,” she said.
Streetscaping — trees and period streetlights — installed 10 years ago has made the area more appealing. Storefronts are being revived.
“Once people see people walking on the streets, the entire perception of Brainerd will change,” Mrs. Whitley said. “There are people in this area willing to put their feet in the water to make this happen.”
Space for a cafe adjacent to the bookstore is already under renovation, and officials are talking to other businesses interested in making the move to the three-block area, Ms. Rutherford said. In the last four years, the Art Warehouse, The Ripple Theater and Dwelling (furniture consignment) are among the businesses that have moved into Olde Towne Brainerd. They are anchored by longstanding residents Gannon Art Center, Comedy Catch and Out of the Blue Cafe.