After years of decay, attempted renewal, thwarted renewal, partial demolition, abandonment, bankruptcy, and forced sale, the curious commercial corner at the intersection of West College Avenue and Mead Road is finally showing some signs of life.

As of yesterday afternoon, work crews had taken down the tired blue awnings and stripped away the stucco veneer, revealing the simpler, more timeless and, to me, more interesting building that, unknown to its Oakhurst neighbors, has apparently been hiding underneath all these years.

Mrs. Scott heard rumor of a dog food store and a bike shop as pending tenants but I have absolutely no actual facts at my disposal to back that up. The adjacent lot on Mead, last occupied by an abandoned house until the city ordered it demolished, is apparently still for sale.

Anyone got the inside scoop?

From the Oakhurst Message Board…

There is a house fire on Mead between Leydon and the Village. No telling how long the street will be blocked completely, but if you’re out & about you might consider alternative routes. The fire appears to be under control already, but there was lots of smoke for a while. From our vantage point, it doesn’t appear anyone was home.

– Mark Reeve

319 Mead