Closed historic 1925 Foley bakery building to be renovated

GCM Staff Report
Posted 3/24/23

FOLEY – The owners of the former Foley Bakery building, which closed for more than 15 years, plan to start improvements to the almost century-old structure in hopes of reopening it.

Foley …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Closed historic 1925 Foley bakery building to be renovated

Posted

FOLEY – The owners of the former Foley Bakery building, which closed for more than 15 years, plan to start improvements to the almost century-old structure in hopes of reopening it.

Foley City Council voted Monday, March 20, to approve a facade grant for $19,500 to pay some of the costs of replacing and doors and other improvements to the building. The replacement of the windows and doors is estimated to cost $200,998.

Mark Wright of 4Wright Investments, one of the owners of the building, said work should start in the next few weeks.

“We have ordered the windows so it's officially underway,” Wright said. “We've got about six weeks before that happens.”

The total cost of the planned renovations of the building is $443,296. The work is scheduled to start April 20 and be completed by Oct. 20, according to the grant application.

The building was constructed in 1925. The bakery operated at the site for many years. The most recent use of the building was the restaurant Cactus Cafe, which closed in 2007. After the restaurant closed, city officials said the building was too deteriorated to allow another business to reopen without renovations.

The city bought it in 2012 to preserve the structure, which is one of the oldest in Foley and a contributing structure to the Foley National Register Historic District. The city later sold it to Katapult Properties and 4Wright Investments.

Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said it has been an interest for residents for many years.

“This is probably just about the most asked about piece of property,” Hellmich said. “I think this is going to be great.”

The building is located at the northeast corner of North Alston Street and West Laurel Avenue (U.S. 98).