Jon Oliver of Fishers purchased the building at 107 E. State St. — formerly Hayden’s market, a dry cleaners and a glass shop — to fix up and rent, likely to someone who want to open a restaurant or café.
Jon Oliver of Fishers purchased the building at 107 E. State St. — formerly Hayden’s market, a dry cleaners and a glass shop — to fix up and rent, likely to someone who want to open a restaurant or café.
A rendering of what’s planned for 107 E. State Street.
PENDLETON — Real estate investor Jon Oliver bought two buildings in downtown Pendleton a few years ago and has been fixing them up to rent or lease; tenants are in a couple of the retail spots already with plans set to fill more retail and office space this year.
“I live in Fishers, but I like small downtowns, so I have a couple of buildings in Pendleton and other properties in other small downtowns or Main Street-type towns,” Oliver said.
His local tenants include Viva La Juice at 116 N. Pendleton Ave., a juicery that opened in September 2021; and The Rusty Hinge Boutique, a women’s clothing story that opened recently next door at 114 N. Pendleton Ave.
Oliver, owner of Grow Properties in Hamilton County, said he’s got plans for 10 to 12 upper level office space units in that block, and around the corner he’s in the process of reconstructing the building at 107 E. State St., which he bought just a couple of months ago.
“That, ideally, is going to be some kind of restaurant or a café or whatever, with outdoor seating and everything there.”
He said he thinks the town has a bright future, judging by what he sees.
“I think it’s definitely a growing community with the new subdivisions north of town there, and I have a lot of other friends that live up there, and my wife and I kind of considered moving there a few years ago and then decided to stay in Fishers just with the kids in schools and stuff.
“Just liked the community, and I think it’ll be a good place, both from a property value standpoint and just as a community,” he said, noting that he sees the town heading in the right direction with more businesses of various sizes locating nearby, offering more job opportunities, and as the infrastructure improves. “I think the downtown is going to continue to improve.”
Oliver is not the only person who sees a growing potential in town.
According to Pendleton Planning Director Hannahrose Urbanski, many times more businesses opened in the past year or so than closed.
In addition to Oliver’s tenants, businesses that have opened include:
– Aerial F2F (bungee workout, aerial arts, group fitness) — 3187 W. Angle Road
– Apple Butter Barn Too (home decor, candles, more) — 108 W. State St.
– Bliss and Banter Boutique (bath, body and more) — 122 W. State St.
– Editca 39 (restaurant) — 104 W. State St.
– Kountry Roadz (antiques) — 123 W. State St.
– Nellie Fayes (antiques, home decor and more) — 121 N. Pendleton Ave.
– Ohanalulu (donuts, coffee, ice cream) — 106 W. State St.
– Promise Coffee Roasters — 228 S. Pendleton Ave.
– W Athletics (sports training) — 633 Falls Park Drive
Under construction near I-69 are:
– Starbucks — 720 Henderson Way
– 3Rivers (federal credit union) — 700 Henderson Way
– Wolfies Grill — 700 W. State St.
At the start of last year, Chris Schulhof completed construction of the Lumberyard building at 200 S. Pendleton Ave. There are 13 spaces there, and all but one are occupied.
At the time, Schulhof said he’d just signed a handful of tenants for the 5,130-square-foot building.
“I think we’ll be full by summer,” he said at the time.
Schulhof’s optimistic forecast of demand for space tenancy was “based on the interest level that we have, the phone calls we’re receiving.”
Businesses located inside the Lumberyard at this time are:
– Serendipity (hair salon)
– Pendleton Nutrition (shake shop)
– Skyn Day Spa (facials, massages and more)
– Push Play Entertainment (DJ services)
– Designs Tattoo Inc.
– Banning Engineering
– Belle Ame Studios (eyelash extensions)
– Tim Paul (attorney)
– T&S Construction
– Rosales Puente Services LLC (roofing company)
– Hoosier Property Media (photo and video production company)
Urbanski said she can think of about 10 businesses in town that have closed their doors in about the past year.
“I would say I have definitely seen a lot of new businesses coming in, especially with the downtown in particular,” she said. “The Lumberyard has really increased the amount of flexible office/studio space available to business owners.”
Meanwhile, Oliver is keeping his eyes open for any other downtown properties that go on the market.
“I’m looking for some, and I’d definitely buy some if some were available. I’ve talked to … other building owners downtown, and at this point nobody’s interested, that serious about selling or anything. I’m interested in more buildings, for sure.“