Historic Building Moves to New Home in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE – After months of excitement and anticipation, on Thursday, locals from the Dilworth and South End neighborhoods gathered to witness a remarkable event: the steady migration of a 120-year-old brick building across the street. The Leeper & Wyatt structure, once a cherished grocery store serving the community, has found a new spot just 750 feet away at 1829 Cleveland Ave, leaving behind its original home at 1923 S. Boulevard.
A Journey to Preserve History
The move was orchestrated by Jeff Tonidandel and his wife Jamie Brown, two passionate restaurant owners who decided to step in when the historic building was threatened with demolition for a new apartment project. “We couldn’t just stand by and watch history get torn down,” Tonidandel shared, reflecting on their commitment to preserving the building’s legacy.
The building, which has been an integral part of the neighborhood’s charm for decades, required a complex operation to relocate. Crews worked tirelessly to prepare the structure for its journey. They knocked out the foundation and placed steel beams underneath before lifting it with hydraulic jacks to balance the load. With careful precision, the structure was pushed from its basement foundation onto large hydraulic dollies, taking about three hours in total.
Cheers and Excitement from the Community
Among the enthusiastic crowd were excited third graders from Dilworth Elementary School, who cheered and marveled at the sight. Parent volunteer Michelle Taylor was equally thrilled. “The more historic buildings that we can keep, the better,” she said, voicing a sentiment shared by many in attendance. “It’s wonderful to see efforts being made to preserve such landmarks instead of replacing them with more apartments.”
Sana Ali, a resident, echoed the same sentiment, exclaiming, “I didn’t think this was possible. It’s amazing that they’re saving the historical integrity while moving it within the neighborhood. I walk by every single day and finally got to see it happening!”
Support and Planning Behind the Move
Last year, Tonidandel and Brown secured the necessary approval from the Charlotte City Council and the Historic District Commission to relocate this beloved structure, celebrated as the oldest retail brick commercial building in South End. After over 50 years as a grocery store to the Atherton Mill and Dilworth communities, its future was at risk when Southern Land Company planned on building a high-rise at its original site. They contended that keeping the historic building wasn’t feasible due to the city’s plans for road widening.
Despite setbacks, such as the failure of a plan to repurpose the building for commercial purposes last year, the couple’s determination took over. They partnered with a team including Wolfe House & Building Movers, Duke Energy, local businesses, engineers, and architects to execute the move. This teamwork involved careful planning, including rerouting power lines and trimming trees to create a clear path to the new location.
A Celebration of New Beginnings
After the successful relocation, Tonidandel and Brown popped open a bottle of champagne in celebration, with a local film crew capturing this historic moment for a new television series titled “Fork and Hammer.” While the Leeper & Wyatt building sits patiently beside the recently restored Leluia Hall church, which will soon serve steak and seafood, its next chapter remains an open book. “We still need to figure out what we’re going to do inside,” Brown said with a smile, hinting at possibilities yet to come.
The Significance of the Move
This rescue of a cherished landmark speaks volumes about community spirit and resilience. The Leeper & Wyatt building is one of about 400 historic landmarks in Mecklenburg County, each with its own story. What transpired on that sunny Thursday is not just the transportation of bricks and mortar, but the **preservation of history**, persistence of community voices, and exciting new beginnings for the neighborhood.
