HOPE – A Columbus property developer is being thanked for wanting to help revitalize part of the Hope Town Square.

Nick Rosenberg of Bullet Property Management told the Hope Town Council he is partnering with David Smith of FTG Properties, LLC. in an effort to acquire commercial properties and bring in new businesses to the downtown area.

Council member Herby Asher commended Rosenberg’s efforts after noting that Hope has lost a number of downtown businesses over the past several years. One of the most recent losses was Windrose Rx, which closed last spring.

But there’s also positive signs in Bartholomew County’s second-largest incorporated community.

For example, Huck’s Convenience Store is expanding its current store at 9823 N. State Road 9. Hope was also one of the first locations in south central Indiana to acquire a DG Market. The store at 9170 N. State Road 9 offers an larger variety of groceries than what it’s parent company, Dollar General, sells at most locations.

The properties acquired by Rosenberg and Smith are southwest of the intersection of Harrison and Washington streets. They were acquired from the McQueen estate in October a short time after Patrick McQueen died on Sept. 29th.

One of the buildings, located at 343 Washington St., was purchased for $69,500 in late October. For several years, it served as the offices of the late chiropractor Dr. Gregory Sweet. While the practice was taken over by Dr. Deanna Pacilio of Greensburg, the building became vacant again after Pacilio died in December, 2023.

Rosenberg told the council the building will become the first brick-and-mortar outlet for Small Town Nutrition, a smoothie and juice bar that has operated in the Franklin Square complex of Brown County. The establishment is expected to open sometime between late January and late February, the developer said.

Smith and Rosenberg are currently in the process of acquiring the adjacent building at 518 Harrison St. The property value was estimated at $83,200 this year, according to online records.

Built in 1960, the one-story building has housed a number of businesses that include an auto parts store and HVAC metal bending workshop. The partners expect to complete the acquisition sometime in early January.

One idea being seriously considered is to put a laundromat in the building, Rosenberg said. He told the council a number of Hope residents have told him they have to drive several miles to get their clothes washed.

An arcade and a pool company have also expressed interest in the commercial building, according to Rosenberg. But he also asked members of the Hope Town Council to have anyone interested in acquiring the commercial property to contact his office in Columbus.

The partners have also acquired the empty lot west of the former chiropractor’s office for $5,820.
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