ASHLAND —
Because of an outstanding electric bill, the former Ashland Oil building on Winchester Avenue might have to shut its doors next month.
The owners of the businesses in the building, also known as the G.B. Johnson building, said they have been told the electricity will stay on for at least four more weeks, but what will happen after that is uncertain.
Chris Pullem, economic director for the City of Ashland, said the three major tenants of the building, which includes Elite Catering, the WLGC radio station and the Ashland Community and Technical College Entrepreneur Center, have found “workable solutions” should they need to relocate. However, the relocation of the businesses may not be necessary.
“There’s always a chance someone could become interested and make an investment and the building would stay open,” he said.
Pullem said this is the third time the building has faced similar problems since he’s been working for the city.
“The problem with the building is that it’s an energy loser. It’s inefficient,” Pullem said. “Unless the occupancy rate is high enough, it is bound to struggle.”
Sudie Davis, the owner of Elite Catering, said she plans to continue business as normal and is looking into options for relocating in the city.
“I’d love to stay there (in the building) forever, but there are several good options that we have. I’ll know in the next few days what’s going to happen,” Davis said. “We hate to leave the building. It’s an awesome space.”
She said if a move is necessary, she wants to keep the business downtown, which would be convenient for customers.
“This could be a different chapter in the business. This could be a good opportunity,” she said.
Larry Ferguson, director of the ACTC Entrepreneur Center, said the center plans to relocate after the end of the month.
He said the center, which serves as an incubator for new businesses, has been successful at its current location, but he feels it needs to be in a more stable environment.
“I wish the building owner the best, but we had to go ahead and make the hard decision to relocate,” Fergusion said.
Bobby Hall, the managing director of WLGC, said business for the radio station will continue as usual, and he plans to remain in the building unless moving is necessary. However, the station has a “Plan B” just in case.
“We own the building at 1526 Winchester Ave., next to the arcade. ... Plan A is for business to continue as is, and B is to remodel the other building if need be,” Hall said.
He said although he and the other tenants have been told the building will remain open at least four more weeks, their future there beyond that is unknown.
“I don’t know what the future of the building holds,” Hall said. “We’ll wait it out.”
The owner of the building, Kirk Donges, was unavailable for comment.
SHANNON MILLER can be reached at smiller@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2657.
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