A New Business Premises

[hatchbackgirl75]

Just look at the speed the block of land opposite sold and started getting built on - the main street is a bit full and anything worth having is going to get snapped up.

[Ray]

It's getting quite cramped for building space to be sure.

Unfortunately some of the existing buildings are just about beyond their "use by date", the old Black and White being a good example. I can remember going out the back there over 40 years ago and it was in a precarious state then. Several years later I was present when Alan Wildie (the occupant at that time) was talking to Mick Boston and he said basically that the owner wouldn't do anything to it and wouldn't sell it for what it was worth. Consequently for many, many years it had only ever been patched and plugged so it wouldn't come down around the occupants ears. I have no doubt that there are probably other buildings in the same condition.

It has come to the time when some of these places need either a major overhaul, or demolishing and replacing.

[Ray]

It interesting that you mention the Historic or Architectural status of the old Foodland building because I was recently told by another person, that in spite of the rumours about the building's status, he could find no official advice about the building.

Perhaps we should do some extensive checking to confirm one way or the other?

I was contacted this morning by Tamren whereupon it was pointed out to me that the old Eudunda Farmer's building was recommended for inclusion in the State Heritage Listing in 1999. (State Heritage of the Upper North, Published by Dept. of Environment and Heritage, Pg. 136 No. NA-07) As yet, I have not been able to determine as to whether the recommendation was ever acted upon, but I'll keep making enquiries.

[Ray]

Here's what I was able to find this morning.





So it would appear, that it is listed on the state Heritage Database as a Building of significance.

I'm all for saving our heritage, but not when it effectively cripples the commercial viability of a significant part of our business district.

[tricky]

Thanks for the very thorough research Ray.

I have informed my "source" that his information was incorrect.

He understands that people are allowed to challenge the status of a property, so hopefully all is not lost, in relation to the destiny of the old Foodland site?

[Ray]

I hope that you are correct Tricky.

At the moment the town just seems to have a very costly White Elephant on it's hands.

[Ray]

Things have "got a wriggle on" at our new business site. Sadly the gum tree at the rear had to go,... I guess that is the price of progress, I don't think that anyone will really mourn the loss of the old Pepper tree.

Here's the two shots of the site taken only eight weeks apart.

[Tamren]

Great to see  "Eudunda Farmers " store is getting a "facelift" at long last. Amazing what a bit of paint can achieve.

Still dont know what they will do with the shop if no one still wants to rent it.

Maybe the owner should consider putting it back to three separate shops with their own entrances ..then they  may attract
new small business' to the town .

I have also noticed the past few months there seems to be more cars in the main street, at times it is difficult to get a park .

[Ray]

There is a bloke whom I speak to occasionally who has looked very closely at the building, but he feels that it is considerably overpriced considering it's condition and the restrictions imposed by it's heritage status.

He thinks that based on previous experience, to really make something of it, rather than just a "patch up" job, it would need $100,000+ spent on it. New floor, new roof and sub division into two or three premises.

[hatchbackgirl75]

$100k sounds about right, I bet you can add new wiring to that roof and floor list. We renovated a house recently and it got rewire/reroof/replumb/new floors and it came to a fairly hefty amount so easily triple that amount for a much larger heritage listed commercial building. I'd say $100-120k easily.

Not worth doing if it can't be subdivided - much harder to attract a business that needs a large floorspace than to attract three smaller ones. Not hard to see why it is still for sale.

[Ray]

Well,... there may be hope yet, I suppose you have seen some action down there.  Last Friday I noticed the door open and seeing two gents inside I asked if I might be able to take a panoramic shot of the inside, now that it is empty.



Whilst we were talking one of the blokes intimated to me that something is afoot, I did not want to appear too "nosey" so I didn't ask any questions, figuring that he'd tell me as much as he wished.

There is the external painting, which I think everyone has noticed, and on the day I was there, the floor was being looked at with a view to doing up some of the dodgy spots.

I hope that something eventuates.

[utegirl70]

Wow, impressive photo, Ray.

Hope something does get done with the place. It's a lovely old shop, and it would be a real shame if it was left to rot and ruin.

[Ray]

Wow, impressive photo, Ray.

Hope something does get done with the place. It's a lovely old shop, and it would be a real shame if it was left to rot and ruin.

Yes, it makes a rather large gap in the shopping street too.

The panorama was done in a program called MGI Photovista, it's not fool proof, but it's about as close as you'll get.

[Ray]

Our newest business premises is now open for business.

I believe that it has actually been open for two weeks or so, but I guess I don't get down to the street often enough to see these things.

I guess I've just got to start trying harder,... eh?

[hatchbackgirl75]

I guess I've just got to start trying harder,... eh?[/img]

What's the good of being a photographic stickybeak if you don't get your photos within 10 minutes of something happening?