We spent the last couple months of 2024 working hard on our building at 407 Madison Ave., an old woodworking tool factory that we are restoring as our fulfillment center, retail store and editorial offices.
In addition to the staff and sub-contractors, we brought in Zach Haynes of Haynes Carpentry to help do some of the difficult and detailed work. Zach finished up the drywall, helped get the offices separated from tool assembly and did a lot of work getting the storefront ready. Thanks Zach!
On Tuesday, I did this quick video tour of the building. Lots more work ahead this month. Our cabinets should arrive for the storefront (there’s no way I could build these in time or for the price we’re being charged). And work has already begun on fixing up the old factory bathroom on the second floor.
Right now, I can’t even show you a photo of the bathroom because I think it would break some laws it’s so scary.
Stay tuned. We’re doing this for a reason.
— Christopher Schwarz
nice video! the inspector really made you move a wall 5/8 of an inch?
Yes
Did it matter which way you moved it? Dance, monkey, dance!
This is awesome, I’m so grateful for the work y’all do and it was neat to see where the orders flow through. The office chair situation was an interesting quirk I feel like we could have guessed whose desk was whose based on that alone!
You shortchanged us a pic of the bathroom cabinet engraving… Spell of prosperity surely
Best of luck in ’25
Been there. Sometimes it’s completely asinine. During restoring a building that was on the national historic registry (built in 1908), plans were approved by the city council and made according to the approval. Then the inspector came, said the bar area had to move 2 inches back (and it wasn’t for ADA compliance and my business partner is a quadriplegic so he would know). So we moved it. The next inspection, the same inspector came by and told us that we had to move it back the same 2 inches that we had it at during the first approved inspection already. Literally put it back into the exact same spot the architect drawings that were approved had it and we had done the first time. Words were said.
Best of luck to you!
We had two inspectors who contradicted one another. It was frustrating.
The city of Covington has been nothing but 100 percent helpful and supportive. But when you fix an old building, there are lots of eyes on the thing.
In the end, we got it done and it is behind us. I’m not bitter. It’s just funny to mention.
I didn’t see the guard cats? Where they hiding in the shadows?
Dammit. I had the traditional pull chain WC square in the loo poo pool. 🙂
Had to go blue as it is probably still too soon for a “The Money Pit” reference.
Congratulations on bringing the Anthe building into production!
Looks really good. Congratulations.
Well done with the renovations, one question, why is there an exposed section of brickwork behind the toilet in the bathroom? Not a before and after view piece is it?
I worked in engineering with tolerances, could you not have the 5/8 inch the tolerance for wall location, I suppose building inspectors would be pissed at that comment.