Hulett’s building sold to New Orleans developer
Published 4:00 am Wednesday, March 11, 2015
- Five years after closing its doors, the doors of the Hulett Furniture Company building will once again open with its recent purchase by a New Orleans developer.
The Hulett Furniture Company building has been sold.
Meridian Main Street Executive Director Karen Rooney confirmed Tuesday that the former downtown furniture store has been sold to New Orleans developer Tim Hester. A financial price was not disclosed.
Rooney was elated to see a deal go through. She cited the building’s location as it relates to traffic coming down 23rd Ave., as one of Main Street Meridian’s primary objectives for 2015.
“It’s been sold, but what is really exciting about this is that he (Hester) will put in a high end interior market and gift stores,” Rooney said. “This means there will be several vendors. This building has 78,000 square feet. He will have space for special events and even a climate control storage. Even better, he will have residential units on top.”
Randall Gaither, senior planner for the city of Meridian’s Community Development Department, was also pleased about the sale.
“We’re glad to see it moving forward,” Gaither said. “The variations that he (Hester) will bring – like having the climate control storage, at least on the first level – is something new.”
Hulett Furniture Company closed in 2010, after 125 years of service. Its closing not only left a big hole in Meridian’s downtown business district, but also a five-story shell of a once vibrant city landmark.
“This is big because so much traffic comes down 23rd Avenue,” Rooney said. “And this is not exactly an attractive building right now. But, it will get fixed up and tenants could be in there by June.”
