ABOUT US
Playing a part in helping to bring Spencer, Indiana back to life....
When the historic TIvoli theatre was undergoing renovations in 2012, we thought about what might be possible with Spencer coming back to life... not necessarily the way it way 100 years ago, as captured in the photo above... just taking the next step... We were not thinking bold or ambitious, just better than the quiet, boarded up town that Spencer had become. In the Summer of 2012, the old "Agricultural Epitomist" building had just gone on the market. We saw this tired, old building and thought "if we can renovate these old apartments and create something nicer, it might appeal to those folks wanting to live and work in a small town, but with a cool, affordable big city loft-style apartment." and while we were renovating the apartments, the TIvoli opened, and it was majestic and magical...
With the reopening of the Tivoli in the Spring of 2013, people in town started talking. A handful of folks got together and started meeting, to contemplate Spencer's future... and guided by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Spencer Main Street was started. and what started out as a simple building renovation for us, turned in to just the first step in a journey to restore the magic of Spencer... Neicy and I joined and became part of a true Community effort.... which led to us buying one more building, with a glorious history dating back to 1882; the Spencer Independent Order of Odd Fellows Club building. Another building that had seen it's better days; saved from fire over 30 years ago; but in need of a major overhaul. Soooo, we started gutting it in late 2013 and by September of 2015, on Apple-Butter Festival weekend, The Dragonfly Gallery opened it's doors. That same weekend, Josh and Brianne Hogan opened Main St Coffee.... and the journey started in earnest, for Trillium Woods....
While we were finishing the renovations of The Dragonfly Gallery, 5 vacant buildings on the South side of the Square had been for sale for a few years, with no buyers. We had been inside and out of the properties and originally did not want to take on such an ambitious project, but after The Dragonfly, we felt compelled to see if could try to save a little more of Spencer.
So in Summer of 2015, just before the grand opening of the Dragonfly, we purchased these buildings, took a deep breath and began our next projects.... We tore down and rebuilt the front wall, put on a new roof, rebuilt the entire rear sections along the alley and welcomed our first commercial tenant, Ridgeline Veterinary Clinic in January 2016. Then, the Pride organization came to us and said they really wanted to be on the Square, so we created a space they could call their home.... However, they quickly outgrew it and decided to buy a bigger building on the North side of the Square... sad to see them go, but they didn't go far!
By the Summer of 2018, we finished 3 more commercial spaces, where Crane Credit Union, Owen County Visitors Center and the Owen County Community Foundations all have new homes... in 150 year old buildings. On the second floor, we gutted then renovated and added 3 more cool loft-style apartments on the second floor... as well as a space a few doors down (where Pride started), for a the Juniper Gallery and gift shop.
and while we continued on our renovation efforts around the Square, we also decided to expand our focus and look at how we can bring some great alternative housing options for folks who want to live in Spencer and be part of the charm of yesteryear... where you can walk down the street to grab a coffee and sandwich; or some fudge; or get your hair done; or go to the movies; or grab a beer; or some Thai food; or do some shopping.... on new sidewalks and seating around the Square...
2 blocks from the Square, our Wayne Street project become our first housing project....not just looking to build a house, but to build homes. Inspired by the Dunn St and B-Line projects in Bloomington and the Painted Ladies in San Fran (but at much more affordable prices); where the ideas around porch in the front and smaller lots creates a neighborly living environment and invites families to go out for walks and explore, instead of being tied to a yard; to continue the theme of providing a great value and a great space, recalling "yesteryear," and doing our part to keep making Spencer a place we are proud to call home.