Wheels Are Turning on Pierce's Corner Renovation

Updated 3:16 p.m.

With a key hurdle passed, the group behind the proposed revamp of the vacant Pierce's Corner building in Old Town Suwanee has begun its process.

State historic district status for a portion of Old Town was granted in August. If the National Park Service follows with federal designation, work on the building could begin four to six months afterward, according to Michael Deming Jr. of Deming LLC.

Deming LLC of Norcross has a lease-purchase deal with the Suwanee Downtown Development Authority (DDA), a public-private group, for Pierce's Corner, which is on Main Street and dates to 1910.

Deming Jr. said plans still call for the building to house a destination restaurant on the first floor, and a so-called business incubator on the second floor.

The business start-up space would be a place for entrepreneurs to "have a place to call home" until they branch into their own space, Deming Jr. told a DDA meeting Tuesday (Sept. 17).

Also, the restaurant would have patio dining. Deming Jr. said a couple of potential restaurateurs already have contacted him about the space.

Federal historic district approval for the Old Town area could come as soon as October, Deming Jr. said, based on previous timetables. The state approval is seen as a plus.

-- What type of restaurant would you like to see in the Pierce's Corner building? Tell us in the comments below.