The renovations to the historic building on the northeast corner of Flint and Lapeer Streets will likely be completed by winter.
And that timeline is ahead of schedule, according to owner Gene Carlson, whose project was profiled by The Review last December (visit lakeorionreview.com and search keyword: Gene Carlson, for the story).
The building houses Clip Away Hair Salon, as well as Carlson’s real estate investments office, The Valkyrie Group. Coming soon is new business Cookie Delite, under the ownership of Kim Banda.
‘She’s doing a complete renovation to turn it into a bakery,? Carlson said, noting that he’s heard good things about the ‘cookie bouquets,? one of their specialties.
When finished, Carlson is excited about what the building will offer downtown, both in goods and services and in its historic appeal.
‘I bought this place in August of last year,? he said. ‘The interior of some of the building was really trashed.?
Carlson received a matching grant from the Downtown Development Authority to help him work on the building’s fa’ade.
‘It was an added bonus that it has historical value,? he said, noting the building was erected some time around 1880. ‘It’s not the oldest building in downtown, but it’s one of the closest.?
Carlson said the exterior repairs were a bit more daunting than he first anticipated. The wood underneath the vinyl was damaged, forcing him to redo most of it.
‘I was hoping I could just clean it up,? he said. ‘But it didn’t really work that way.?
In spite of the higher costs, Carlson said the work done will make the building run more efficiently.
New windows and doors have been installed and exterior work (including a return to the building’s original colors), should all make the historic building look more historic.
‘I’m trying to bring it back as best I can,? Carlson said.
The building is one of the first things visitors to the downtown area see when they turn onto Flint Street from M-24.
‘As soon as you turn that corner, you’re looking at this building,? Carlson said, adding that he’s excited about recent developments in downtown Lake Orion.
‘The better things look down here, the more popular our downtown will be,? he said. ‘It’s looking better and better.?
Carlson noted that when this project is finished he might look into another in the area. For more information, he can be reached at (248)933-3509.