Hooray For Clay, which was scheduled to renovate and open this year in the old Spencer Tire store on East Howard Avenue, tells DM that the potential renovation costs have forced them to walk away from the location.
The store owners are currently negotiating for a new space in Midtown.
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That’s unfortunate. I wonder how big of a space they need and if there is available rental space in Decatur that would meet their needs. Is renting in Midtown cheaper than Decatur?
Quick, someone tell them that there’s a terrific location for a make-your-own pottery place available on Church Street, next to the old Hoopla location.
We looked at the old Pottery Place space on Church St. first, and the lack of parking and natural light was a major deterrent. Not to mention it’s about a fifth of the size that we need. But thanks for the suggestion!
Crap – I wish they had made that decision before they took bookings for Camps through Decatur Rec. Midtown is not going to work for a half day camp for us – assuming that they would be open in time. Actually feel upset that didn’t think to inform their paid up customers FIRST.
Boy, that doesn’t sound cool–taking money for a camp that wasn’t a certain event. I’ll bet Decatur Rec will get you your money back; they’re the best. But it doesn’t help you find a similar experience for that time period.
Hooray For Clay is still running camps through the Decatur Rec IN Decatur. As a working mother and business owner, I understand the location convenience factor in making summer plans for your children. We have made arrangements to hold Hooray For Clay half day camps at the same location as other “Enrichment” camps that are being offered through Decatur Rec. We are also securing a Decatur location for the full day camps offered at the end of the summer. Our decision to forgo the E. Howard location was a difficult decision personally and professionally and moving forward we plan on fulfilling our “Decatur” commitments and hopefully build lasting relationships that will carry over to our new location, where ever that intown location may be.
Thanks Katy – I relieved to know that the camps will still go ahead. My son is really looking forward to the all day camp and while my daughter is less aware of the half day camp, finding an alternative would have been very hard.
Still sad that Hooray for Clay won’t be in Decatur – the Old Tire place is walking distance from my house and I was hoping to come in and do some stuff myself after the summer break.
I wasn’t so concerned about the money side – I assumed that the Rec would have given a credit on our family account if there had been a problem.
Just yesterday I said to my husband, “I should ask Decatur Metro what’s up with Hooray for Clay.” Thanks for being my psychic friend!
They were probably turned off by the Development Department.
I met the owner and saw the space and their plans for it – when we were looking for space for Decatur Screenprint (we considered subletting production space from them but they would not have been opened in time for our needs). The plans were extremely optimistic and way too aggressive for today’s economy. 10,000 sq ft clay campus/institute in a building that needed a complete overhaul? Really!?! Unfortunately, I don’t think they negotiated a rent forbearance while they built out their space.
Note to anyone doing massive improvements to a commercial property: always ask for a dispensation. The landlord pays none of the investment cost and gets the benefit of an improved space. if you open, the property owner gets to keep it; if you don’t last they still get the benefit. It’s a no-win for a business owner.
I do believe that space is also a historic building. Who knew?
I do not believe that building is registered as historic on either the local or national level.
It’s in the Old Decatur Local Historic District and presumably over 50 years old, which gives the HPC a sizable say in how the building is fixed up.
Another great way we promote business and development in this town. A historic, dumpy former tire store!
The city of Decatur and the HPC was nothing but helpful and extremely accommodating for Hooray For Clay’s needs in the old Spenser Tire building. I have nothing but kind words and extreme gratitude for everyone I came in contact with at the City of Decatur Planning, Zoning, and Inspections Department. The sizable “upgrades” to the building had absolutely nothing to do with maintaining the historic character of the building. I hope Regina Brewer and the HPC continue doing a fabulous job at maintaining architectural character of Decatur.
I don’t know about the details of the property but tire stores, like dry cleaners, have the tendency to require a lot of clean up.
Well rats. That is a cool building and I was hoping a good business would open in it.
City must have found a tree house somewhere on the property. That’s the only explanation.
or maybe that is where the Zombies are holed up!
Yes, zombie abatement can be very expensive.
I think the space is haunted by the ghost of a cranky tire store owner, and they decided to cut and run..