When shoppers go downtown, they see a few dark windows and signs for places that have long been out of business. But one of these shuttered store fronts will be buzzing with commercial activity again.
After two years on the market, a restaurant will be transformed into a vintage furniture store.
Jeanne and Jose Ramirez, of Carson City, will purchase 107 E. Telegraph St., the former location of Heiss' Steak & Seafood House. The building has been on the market since late 2004, most recently listed for $299,000. It's in a key downtown location off Carson Street, behind Java Joe's.
"We're extremely excited," Jeanne Ramirez said Monday. "We're so excited to see a different look for that building."
Ramirez, an agent with Coldwell Banker Bestsellers, plans to renovate the exterior in the cottage style and restore the interior to its brick walls and wooden floor. The 2,150-square-foot building will mostly contain furniture from the 1920s-'50s.
She said they'll probably name the store "In Good Taste," after a furniture store they operated in Fallon from 1980 to 1990.
"I love older pieces of furniture; it's like a hobby," she said. "I've been a Realtor here for 16 years, so I'll continue to do that, and my husband is a general contractor."
The couple's two daughters, Renae Margolin and Brenda Sweep, will assist in running the business.
Construction will begin as soon as the sale closes on Oct. 20. Ramirez plans to open the store Dec. 1.
Andie Wilson, commercial sales agent for Coldwell Banker Commercial Premier Brokers, who worked on the sale, said the commercial market is healthy at a time when the residential market is shifting in favor of buyers.
Commercial buyers are seeing a higher return on their investments, and purchasing prices are inching down, she said. Wilson said some buyers are trying to low-ball sellers because of price declines in the residential market, but the two are not connected.
"This is not a buyers' market (for commercial)," she said. "It's a perfect market for commercial. I'm seeing a well balance of supply and demand."
• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.