Former Antique Emporium Building Could Open With Tenants Next Year
according to Ultra Commercial Realty, its first two levels may house a restaurant while third floor is 'in negotiations' with a separate tenant
McKenna Scherer, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
The Romanesque red-brick building at the corner of Main Street and South Barstow Street in downtown Eau Claire – which the Antique Emporium long called home – has been without a tenant for almost four years. According to Ultra Commercial Realty, that is likely to change in the next year.
Antique Emporium, the legendary eclectic wares purveyor now located at 508 Water St., filled that multi-floor space for almost 40 years. Owner Hugh Passow deemed it time to downsize in 2021 and by Fall 2022, he and the business had left the historic building.
Eau Claire-based Pablo Group, which manages a number of area residential and commercial properties, purchased the building with an intent to see it thoughtfully renovated and housed by multiple tenants.
Amber Cernohous, owner of Ultra Commercial Realty, stated there is a restaurant likely to lease the first two levels of the building though further interior construction has not begun.
Pablo Group had originally planned for one of those tenants to be CoLab, its former co-working business and space, now known as The Coven (the first Wisconsin location of The Coven network).
Obviously, plans to see CoLab move into the former Antique Emporium space fizzled out.
The project manager, Pablo Group's Jenny Fesenmaier, was unavailable for comment. Pablo Group's Rita Dorsey did note that no lease agreements have been signed with any tenants – yet – though the company would like to see a food-focused business in the space.
While the Barstow Street-facing facade was approved for renovations – the 306 Main St. building is recognized by the City of Eau Claire as a landmark, as well as the National Register of Historical Places, requiring City approval prior to renovation – in 2023, that work has been finished for some time.
Still, a peak through those ground-level windows reveals an empty expanse.
A bit of background on the historic building
According to the National Register, this corner building was built in 1898-1899 – the first building in the city of Eau Claire built specifically for the Masonic fraternity. It was the Eau Claire Masonic Temple until 1928 before the Masons moved to the new temple – still open at 616 Graham Ave., Eau Claire – and were succeeded by a number of furniture retailers.
The building is one of the last with a Romanesque Revival architecture style in the city of Eau Claire. It was added to the National Register in 2007 and has also recognized by the State Register, plus the City of Eau Claire, as a landmark.
In 1985, the Antique Emporium moved in, where it remained for 37 years. Proprietor Hugh Passow held a Labor Day auction in 2022 upon his decision to downsize and relocate. The business is now located at 508 Water St., Eau Claire.
Amber Cernohous, owner of Ultra Commercial Realty, stated there is a restaurant likely to lease the first two levels of the building though further interior construction has not begun. She did not answer questions about what that restaurant will be or what type of cuisine it will serve.
The third floor, which comes with a 2,000-square-foot mezzanine overlooking the first two levels, is technically still up for lease – though Ultra Commercial Realty is “in negotiations with someone” for it.
Ultra Commercial Realty has offered “build-to-suit” spaces, meaning those first new tenants will shape what the historic building’s interiors will look like once open to the public once again.
Angie Seichter, an administrative associate in the City Community Development division, said "there are no permits at this time" for the 306 Main St. property.
Keep up with Volume One for more information on the property. View Ultra Commercial Realty's listing for the former Antique Emporium building online.
