Demolition began this week on the former Jacobsen’s Family Store building. Lockwood Opera House LLC is converting the former department store into three separate retail locations on the first floor and residential condominiums on the second floor. The retail locations will be condominiums also, creating an opportunity for business owners to build equity in their operation beyond their inventory. One of the retail bays may become a restaurant. Here is a shot of the rear of the building showing a container of waste being loaded.

This project is a terrific boon for downtown Northfield. The new building owners have made a serious statement about the value of investing in our historic district and their creative method of financing the project could be the beginning of a trend in downtown redevelopment.