Expansion prompts sale of Uniontown craft and antiques store
A Uniontown couple is taking their labor of love to the next level after converting an 18th-century church into a craft and antiques business that recently went on the market to expand operations.
Bill and Angie Morris purchased the property in December 2011 with a vision to preserve the building蘑菇视频 interior design details and turn their business venture, 鈥淭he Liberty Bell Craft and Antique Store鈥� into a reality.
鈥淲e have customers come in just to unwind and say the atmosphere is calming,鈥� said Angie Morris.
According to Morris, her husband first eyed the property one day on their way home from church.
Although it wasn鈥檛 for sale, Morris said her husband told her he knew it had great business potential and approached the owners.
鈥淥ur dream always was to have an antique and craft store combined because they compliment each other,鈥� said Angie Morris.
Morris added that her husband has continued to collect antiques over the years adding to those he inherited from his mother.
The property, zoned commercial, is situated on a .64 acre lot. The building includes a new metal roof, private office, storage loft and bathroom that is handicap accessible along with the front porch.
The entire lot is fenced in and also houses a an additional 66-by-24-square-foot metal pole building with nine-foot canopy.
The former chapel was built by members of the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church in 1877 and later became the Bethel Presbyterian Church.
Morris said the building was pretty much a shell and used for storage at the time of purchase.
鈥淲hen I walked in the hardwood ceiling sold me,鈥� said Morris.
According to Morris, the couple had to clear the brush filled lot before they could begin working on the structure that underwent five-and-a-half months of renovations.
Morris added that an old red brick school house situated next to the church had to be razed after the roof collapsed from the weight of some snow. In it蘑菇视频 place, a pole building was erected for extra storage.
With the exception of the roof, original wood ceiling and hardwood floors her husband discovered under a layer of green paint, Morris said she and her husband worked from scratch to complete the inside.
Renovations consisted of insulating the walls and covering them with rustic boards while installing new electric, plumbing and sewage as well as a deck on the front.
An office and restroom was constructed in the existing alter area.
Morris said she was also able to salvage two chandeliers that serve as focal points in addition to stained glass windows.
The store officially opened in June 2012 offering a unique collection of antiques, collectibles and one-of-a-kind handmade crafts in addition to a variety of candles, primitive dolls, window coverings and home decor.
Morris said the history of the church has been shared by some of its previous members that have visited the store to see the transformation. 鈥淲hen they got to go in it was like they were home again,鈥� she said.
Coincidentally, Morris said, one woman with the same last name recalled being married at the church.
A 鈥淗unt蘑菇视频 Jewelry鈥� sign that Morris listed for sale on Facebook is also where the woman said she and her husband purchased their wedding rings.
鈥淲hen you have old things that have been loved and a history behind them, I鈥檒l take that any day,鈥� said Morris.
Morris said the couple expanded their business last year to a building at 143 East Main Street, Uniontown, that formerly housed the Dusty Attic.
鈥淢y heart and soul is in both stores, but it蘑菇视频 hard to manage two,鈥� said Morris.
Morris said with the new location bustling, the couple is planning to renovate the building蘑菇视频 second floor to accommodate inventory and eventually turn the basement into an auction house.
鈥淭he sky蘑菇视频 the limit downtown because that蘑菇视频 where the traffic is at,鈥� said Morris.