Watch your step and your tires if you’re headed down Main Street over the next few weeks. The shingles are coming down. 

 

Fortunately, it’s because downtown Princeton is undergoing a major facelift.

 

After years of being little more than rundown buildings and remnants of the town’s past, the shops along Main Street will soon be a sight to see, and hopefully shop, at least that’s Becky Copp’s goal.

 

Copp and her husband, who own Old Town Properties, recently purchased the four dilapidated buildings along Main Street, and has already begun renovations. 

 

First comes the tearing down, which contractors have already begun, then the building back up.

 

Copp said her plan is to bring the buildings back to their former glory, but with a few modern tweaks. For instance, the former bank vaults will be used to store wine in Blue Armadillo Winery, which is going in at the corner of Main and Fourth Street.

 

Four tenants have already agreed to lease properties along Main Street. The winery, a coffee shop, an antiques store and a children and plus size clothing boutique. Remaining retail spaces are still available. 

 

Most of the buildings are being split into separate properties given the ample square footage, Copp explained. Depending on the needs of the tenants, contractors are prepared to build dividing walls and separate entrances into the remaining properties or leave them as is.

 

The building’s unique characteristics are being preserved where possible. Tin tile ceilings and exposed brick walls will abound, Copp said.

 

If the city approves Copp’s requested purchase of the open-air building beside city hall the space will become a second courtyard, complete with patio tables, wooden beams and lights.

 

Copp said seeing the potential in the rundown buildings has been natural. She and her husband fully restored a home in Lucas several years ago, and have been taking on similar projects ever since. The couple oversaw the renovations on both CJ’s and Double T Photography studio, on nearby Fourth Street, before leasing those spaces.

 

Copp said she expects renovations to be completed by October, in time for Thanksgiving shopping.

 

“I want people to come down here and park and be able to walk to restaurants and shops,” Copp said.

 

 

Becky Copp reviews plans for one of several retail spaces she is renovating downtown.
 

 

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