Who could venture to guess how many stories this building could tell. Personally, I remember many years shopping with my mother for back-to-school clothes when the big JC Penny letters proudly marked the front of this space. The soaring ceilings clad in ornate embossed metal squares, the stairway leading up to the offices; all secure fond memories for generations of Darke Countians. In later years, the Daily Advocate took up operations in this building as did a beloved antique shop. For a rare time in the life of this proud building, it sits vacant, and finally ready for its next inspiring chapter. This space has served perfectly as both an administrative office & an expansive retail environment. The entire front space has had newer laminate flooring installed. A large front counter near the front door has built-n shelves for organizing. Within this main front space are 2 additional rooms; a utility room & breakroom, which has been outfitted with a sink & cabinets. A large stockroom is at the rear 1/4 of the building. This large rear space is an ideal area to handle inventory & deliveries due to the open layout, a supplemental overhead heater, & a ramp to alley access. This stockroom shows evidence of the original embossed ceiling tiles that are still intact throughout the entire first floor, though most have been hidden by a drop ceiling. Restroom have been modernized & insulated & feature 2 stalls in the women's facility & a single stall, plus a urinal, in the men's. The stairway in the stockroom leads to the Mezzanine--a time capsule preserved from the JC Penny years. In addition to a shelving-lined storeroom, you'll find the original cashiers office-complete with the accounting desk, the manager's office, & the remnants of an employee lounge. Going out front, a shared stairway provides access to the impressive full second story. This space, at minimum, would provide exceptional storage. Please see attached document for the extensive upgrades to this building
