Downtown Jefferson gets an economic boost with the construction of two retail stores, Ace Hardware and NAPA Auto Parts to be built on Main Street across from the county courthouse and the Jefferson Public Library. There will also be space in both buildings to lease.
Bachmann Construction, Madison, construction managers for the project, will start by tearing down about two-thirds of the former Jefferson Tile building, which has been vacant for more than two years. The existing warehouse office portion will be remodeled and repurposed for an Ace Hardware store. It replaces a former hardware store located at 117 West North Street, which closed in 2013. The new Ace Hardware Store is owned by Brian Watson, who also owns Ace Hardware in Lake Mills. The store will open in October, according to Al Bachmann, CEO of Bachmann Construction. Developers Jim Hartung and Todd Willkomm, of Jefferson Main, Inc., said there will be an additional 2200 square feet for lease as well as some existing office space.
NAPA Auto Parts will be built adjacent to Ace Hardware and replaces stores in Jefferson and Fort Atkinson. Tom Showers is the owner. NAPA will occupy 7550 square feet, with another 1800 square feet available for lease. It will open in December, Bachmann said.
Bachmann Construction, celebrating 60 years as a family business, also built the Frawley Citgo Gas Station and River’s Edge Meat Market in Jefferson in 2011.
Willkomm said the space available for lease in both buildings is appropriate for a wide variety of businesses that would like to be in the heart of downtown, such as retail and food service as well as office uses including legal, insurance, financial and personal services. For leasing information, contact Todd @ Epic Real Estate Group or call 920-563-3400.