“I’m excited for the people (of Clarendon),” says Sue Fertitta of Hilton, who, along with her husband, Joe, took ownership of the Stone Store at the intersection of Routes 237 and 31A in the hamlet during a transfer of the key ceremony Friday, October 25.
“I’ve never seen such beaming faces,” Fertitta says of the group of about 30 people who gathered at the town hall for the ceremony and refreshments. “They were radiant knowing all their hard work is going to pay off.”
The Fertittas began the process of purchasing the building from the town almost a year ago. Obtaining approval for the septic system held up the closing for months, she says, but now with the change in ownership, work to restore the building is underway. “Persistence is what it is all about,” Fertitta notes.
The 177-year old building is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and has been vacant since 2007.
“The building was given to us by a previous owner,” Clarendon Supervisor Dick Moy explains. “A lot of work needed to be done and our original intent was to demolish it.”
But community members stepped in and told the Town Board they didn’t want to lose the building. “The Board listened and sanctioned a volunteer organization known as the Old Stone Store Preservation Committee (OSSPC),” says chairperson Erin Anheier.
“The committee raised funds through donations, removed debris from the property, made necessary structural repairs, publicized that the property was available and documented the building and its history, which led to the listing on the Registers of Historic Places,” Anheier says. She adds that the committee thanks everyone who showed their support for saving the building. “This is a great example of what a community can achieve when they work together.”
The Landmark Society of Western New York stepped in to assist and raise awareness of the potential of the site and also conducted tours for prospective buyers.
The Fertittas were identified as the best potential new owners because of their reputation as rehabbers of distressed properties, Anheier says.
“The Fertittas had the financing and credibility and bought the store from the town for one dollar,” Supervisor Moy explains.
He adds that he is glad to see the success of finding new owners for the building. “The town didn’t have to spend money to demolish it, it goes back on the tax rolls and it saves an historic building,” Moy says.
Caitlin Meives, a preservation planner with the Landmark Society, agrees.
“Joe and Sue Fertitta taking ownership of the Stone Store is a win for everybody involved. The citizens of Clarendon get to see a community icon brought to new life and a piece of the hamlet’s heritage preserved. We at the Landmark Society are ecstatic to see this unique and important building once again become a positive symbol for the community and a viable piece of the local economy. We’re hopeful for the future and can’t wait to see the Fertittas’ progress over the next year or so.”
Meives thanked local citizens for their efforts, particularly Anheier and Clarendon Historian/Code Enforcement Officer Melissa Ierlan. “We also want to thank the Town Board for giving us the opportunity to create this success,” she said.
The Fertittas have already begun the restoration work and plan a large, two bedroom apartment on the second floor and commercial or office space on the first floor.
Sue Fertitta says the first floor could be one big commercial space or divided into two smaller offices. She says potential tenants have already shown interest in the space.
Exterior work is being done this fall on the roof and on the restoration of the front porch based on historic photos, as well as work on the new septic system.
Inside, the downstairs is being gutted and electrical work is being completed.
“There will be something going on all winter,” Fertitta says.
Photos by Walter Horylev
11/3/13
