New here. First post.

Uncleasy

I’ve been making good progress on the old watch shop. New (complete) roof timber’s and all. The building was completely gutted and steam cleaned. New electric service and all. Now the hard part comes. Removing all the porcelain facade panels off the front. Carefully clean each one. Rebuild the structure using box tube steel. And then Re-install all of the panels and new glass and frames. Instal neon. Etc. Some before and after pictures here. Also as an added bonus an old clock was found in the basement. It just look like a dirt covered gig circle. I wiped a bit with water and was amazed to see porcelain. I’ve already cleaned what turned out to be a 1940’s 36” lumidial clock made in Chicago. Very rare because of its size. The movement is a lumicron 10. I’m looking for another. In the meantime I’ve put a high torc quartz mudder in it for display in my home. I just love the clock. Turns out it’s worth more than what I paid for the old watch shop. $10.000. Cool. Another pic unrealated, my old bike with a 1915 car clock. Time is more important than speed to me.
Thank you all for the kind words regarding the watch shop project.
I wish things could stay the same. It’s my way of getting a small chance to keep something the same for generations to enjoy. Arlan

Professor

Always loved the older buildings with stone or as in this case ceramic facades.
Theres till an Ancient "Park and Belk" department store down town that had the most elegant green marble sheathed facade with fine octagonal show windows.
Unfortunately some dimbulb lost control of a large truck and ran down the side of the building shattering tons of the panels. They were never able to source matching panels so they stripped that side completely and blocked in the windows.

If you reopen as a watch shop be sure to upgrade security. Organized gangs of watch thieves are thick as hair on a dog's back these days.

Uncleasy

A local historian told me that after the original watchmaker died people went in there to scavenge. In the crawl space we’re found several live munitions. Bazookas, grenades and the like.
The whole downtown had to be evacuated while the items were removed.

cvalue13

This is a personality type that’s well represented at OF 😗

Davidt

Thanks for that.

Davidt

Thanks for that.

nzshadow

You seem like a cool dude. Im looking forward to watching the Watch Shop building come to life. Your photo are great, they have a Japanese street photography feel to them - great light.

pdxleaf

BnB. Lots of visitors ready to go. Dibs!

pdxleaf

BnB. Lots of visitors ready to go. Dibs!

Uncleasy

The city has a ban on outdoor neon on Main Street. However they made an exception for me. Since it was existing at one time I already have the glass neon made and can’t wait to instal it. Also the ballast I’ve configured has a dimmer so I can adjust the brightness. I’m really surprised that people here like this cool old building as I do then again, people who love Omegas get it. What is a OF GTA. Thanks for the kind comments.