WAYNESBORO – Improvements on Walnut Street in Waynesboro continue with additional renovations on the retail space across from the Boro Plaza.
The 16,000-square-foot property was purchased about two years ago by Tom and Katie Koontz of Orrtanna.
“We have an investment business – Main Street Professional Services – and we buy old properties and fix them up,” he said. “We have other buildings in Waynesboro – we like it here.”
The Koontz’ work aligns with the Borough of Waynesboro’s revitalization effort on Walnut Street that involves the Boro Plaza, a center anchored by WBO Health and Fitness and home to a number of other businesses. Victorian style street lights were installed on both sides of the street between Second and Third streets and that section was repaved. Koontz also has installed new sidewalks in front of his property.
The Koontz building had been home to Natural Alternatives and Energy, which closed, and Waynesboro Community and Human Services, that relocated across the street to 116 Walnut St. Zook’s Recreation Center operated in the building for many years starting in the 1950s.
Hub City Thrift was the first tenant in the Koontz building. The thrift store, which sells clothing and home goods, moved in June from 44 E. Main St. in Waynesboro to 117 Walnut St.
A second tenant, The Lich’s Lair, a collaborative tabletop game store, will open at 119 Walnut St. next to Hub City Thrift. Owners are Brandon Kesner, Tomas Carbajal and Jacob Morse.
“There will be three other commercial spaces available and there are two one-bedroom apartments on the second floor of the building,” according to Koontz.
Upgrades to the interior of the building include new drywall, paint and lights, and there have been facade improvements such as the installation of columns with accent lights. The parking lot was repaved recently, he added. “We’re happy to be a part of the community and provide a nice building for new tenants and new businesses and hope this will be a good place for them to grow.”
