Downtown Development Progressing
June 1, 2003

This press release written by Judy Sherard, Hays Daily News
is provided to you as a courtesy from Romme Real Estate

The downtown revitalization project, Chestnut Street District, has entered its second phase, according to Kelli Hansen, a spokesperson for Liberty Group, Plainville, the primary developer for the project.

This phase includes properties located at 1007 Main, 1011 to 1013 Main and 106 West 11.

Exterior renovations will include new roofs, door and window replacement, repair and restoration of masonry facades, as well as new awnings. Certificates of compatibility have been issued by the Downtown Hays Development Corporation's architectural review committee for the facade designs.

Bids for planned renovations are being obtained in order to prepare cost estimates required by the Neighborhood Revitalization Act before reconstruction can begin.

Deconstruction of 1007 and 1011 Main was completed by Liberty Group before it acquired the buildings, so construction could begin as soon as the paperwork is filed.

The building at 1007 Main is leased to Dwight and Dereama Allenbaugh, for Salon 1007. Named for its location, the business will be a retail store for Aveda products, salon and art gallery.

It was the downtown's history that lured Dereama Allenbaugh.

“We've made a commitment to be a part of the downtown renovation. I never would have thought of having a store on Vine Street,” she said.

The building housing Salon 1007 will be the second historic structure the couple has restored. They transformed an 1890 limestone barn into a retreat spa, Rock Haven, in 1998. The 5,000 square-foot spa is located about 9 miles south of Hays, or a mile north of Schoenchen.

A fire last October destroyed the interior of the renovated barn, but it reopened three months later after a second restoration.

Though the Allenbaughs did much of the work themselves on Rock Haven initially and after the fire, Dereama Allenbaugh said the couple is too busy now, and has hired a crew for the Salon's restoration.

However, that hasn't dampened the couple's enthusiasm for the project.

“We wanted to be downtown, part of the community effort making the old new again. I said I'd love to be part of this, but I have to find a building that speaks to me. It's fun to be part of the renovation, and tying into the way we feel about Kansas, being a transplant and now being part of a farming community. We're growing where we're planted,” Dereama Allenbaugh said.

That perspective is the basis for the salon and gallery's theme, ‘Tillage,' based on a piece of art Allenbaugh owns that's by a Hays artist.

Because Aveda beauty and health care products is an organic line, it speaks to the environment which fits into the Kansas philosophy of growing renewable resources, she said.

Stylists are required to complete several months of training to carry the full line of hair, skin, body and makeup products, so the artistic team for Salon 1007 will work with the Aveda Institute of Minneapolis and New York.

The Aveda education offers the opportunity to grow, and Allenbaugh hopes the new salon will elevate the status of the stylists who work there to be seen as artists.

“When people walk out (of the salon), they are walking pieces of art. I want to elevate the standard and explore creativity, make it a fun place to grow in their craft,” she said.

The new Salon will offer services similar to Rock Haven, such as hair and skin care, including facials, pedicures, manicures and massages.

The retail store at the front of the building will feature product lines, as well as gift items.

There also will be an art gallery dedicated to Dale Allenbaugh, Dwight's father, who's a patron of the arts. The gallery will display a permanent art collection featuring renowned area artists and host showings.

“Dale Allenbaugh is a wonderful role model for Dwight and me in giving to the community. He has been very supportive,” Dereama Allenbaugh said.

The Allenbaughs plan to have the store open sometime in July, and the salon and art gallery open in August. In fact, Dereama Allenbaugh hopes to honor a commitment to be open for the gallery walk.

“My husband and his company (A-1 Plank and Scaffold Mfg. Inc.,) are supporters of the community and enjoy giving back. He's more excited than me,” about the new salon, she said.

The couple worked with Liberty Group on the plans for the building.

“Chuck (Comeau) knows those buildings inside and out,” Dereama Allenbaugh said. “It's going to be a fabulous place,” and include a landscaped area in the rear and an atrium featuring a glass roof.

The Salon will be located in one of six original buildings acquired by the Downtown Hays Development Corporation in 2000. Liberty Group received the property from the DHDC, along with 1011 Main, in exchange for renovating and maintaining the structures and securing tenants.

The Salon joins the Liquid Bread Brewing Co. and Gella's Diner, 115-117 East 11, as new businesses to occupy former DHDC properties.

Work on that business also is moving forward. Deconstruction inside the brewery is finished, and most of the hurdles have been cleared.

“The design phase over,” said Patrick McGinnis, general manager of the Brewing Co. and Diner.

McGinnis said he recently attended the national restaurant show in Chicago to get ideas about equipment, fixtures and furnishings.

The business should open sometime this winter, and in the meantime, McGinnis is sampling dishes and developing the menu as well as a list of house beers and specialties.

As the cornerstone and mainstay of the development, a marketing plan is especially important to draw people downtown.

“We're taking it seriously that we are the first. We're developing a plan that's specific for the business and can deal with other (downtown) businesses. We're looking with an eye beyond (our business),” he said.

Crews currently are working on the facade of the last building of the group, which will be banquet facilities, Hansen said.

Restoration work also is underway on the exterior of the Philip Hardware building. Located at 719 Main, it anchors the south end of the district.

That restoration is made possible by an $88,000 matching grant from the Kansas State Historical Society, matched by an $88,000 donation from Liberty Group.

The money will be used to stabilize, repair and restore the building's limestone exterior, wooden facade, windows, doors, and roof.

Finding tenants for the renovated buildings shouldn't be a problem. Liberty Group receives numerous calls from parties interested in the buildings, Hansen said.

A complete overview of the plans for the buildings is available at www.ChestnutStreetDistrict.com.

*** Stay tuned for more new announcements coming from Romme Real Estate regarding new businesses coming to The Chestnut Street District at www.rommerealty.com. ***