The restoration bug has bit an Oelwein couple after they witnessed the transformation of the former Dollar General Store on South Frederick into Transco Events on Frederick. When Tindell Shoes at 24 S. Frederick Ave.
closed its Oelwein store in July, Joe and Ashley Lawson saw an opportunity to restore another century-old building and also provide some upper level short-term rentals for travelers/visitors to the area. Joe works for Community Bank of Oelwein, where Jim Kullmer is president. Kullmer is on the development committee for the event center project, so Joe has been in close proximity of watching that transformation.
“After we closed on the (Tindell) building in early August, we reached out to try and find out some of the history of the building. Someone posted some information about it (on social media) and we are really pleased to learn the history of what we have,” Joe said. Persons can read some of that history on the Professionals on Main Facebook page.
“The building is in really good shape. The upstairs hasn’t been touched in probably 50 years. Interstate Power Company had the building and at one time hosted cooking shows upstairs.
There’s a raised stage with working spotlights and an old-fashioned Westinghouse kitchenette at the back of the upstairs,” he said. “That was a very interesting discovery.” It is like an historic archeological dig as the Lawsons get into taking down and tearing out areas of the two story building.
Above the false ceilin.