Monticello Live

South Main Street was closed for several hours, Sunday, for the removal of the old West Bros. building, between the railroad track and the Town Square. 

The building had been purchased by the owner of LA Graphics, and has gradually been emptied, the roof and interior removed; ending now with the razing of the structure.

Another old building, was recently taken down by it’s property owner.

The building, located at the south end of Bailey Street was removed by Bud Bulloch.  Bulloch told MLive that the area will be used for parking area, for awhile; although he wasn’t sure what the future use of the property located west of the Ridgeway Apt. would be.

The demolition of the structure caused the wall of an adjacent building to collapse.  Bulloch also owns that building, and reported that it was vacant at the time, and no notable damage was done to any contents of the structure.

Two other downtown area structures were cleaned up by their property owner, last week.

Two tin covered structures, adjoining Baker’s Supply, that had been there for decades, were taken down. 

Baker didn’t announce any specific plans for the property..  One building was on Edwards street, across from the Ridgeway, the other was “lean’to”, added onto the former Prestige Furniture building, at 300 E. Gaines. St.

The former home of Prestige Furniture, located at 300 E. Gaines, and is also slated for possible removal.

Anyone interested in removing the structure, in exchange for salvaging the material (including the brick from several decades ago) should contact Baker’s Supply at 367-8676.

Carolyn & Bob Barnes purchased a small business from Larry & Beverly Lobitz on April 1, 1983.

Gift of Love Bookstore was located at that time in the building next to Piggly Wiggly. In that same area was Bob Barnes Barber Shop, in the old Coco Cola Bottling building, owned by Billy Ralph Hunter.

The Barnes moved both business in November 1989, to their present location 608 W. Bolling Street, next to Rogers Men Store.

Mrs. Carolyn told MLive, “We have had many wonderful people who worked for us. My husband Bob has been been my greatest employee, sharing barbering and working in the store. He has been barbering for 46 years.

Gift of Love Bible Bookstore carries a variety of Christian materials. Bible, Books, Music, Soundtracks, Church Supplies, Box cards, Small Gifts, T-Shirts. They also do special orders.