Business returning to Conneaut building
CONNEAUT — Business has been returning to the building on 216 Main St. after it was vacated for two to three months.
Businesses in the building were ordered to vacate Jan. 10, after discovery of roof damage and sagging showed possible dangers for building tenants
Owned by Amayah Investors LLC, the building had four tenants: Cricket Wireless, Blackheart Tattoo, Community Counseling Center and a State Farm office.
Roof sagging was first noticed by CCC, who alerted the Conneaut Fire Department and Ashtabula County Building Department to the damage.
The damage likely came from snow accumulated over the Thanksgiving weekend snowstorm and winter.
Conneaut City Manager Nick Sanford said the building's owner communicated well with the city when the issue was brought up.
'The owner has been extremely responsive, which is absolutely appreciated,' he said.
County Building Department Commercial Building Official Thomas Congdon said the owner was given permission to shore up the building.
Sanford said the building's owner went to Smolen Engineering, of Jefferson, 'to develop a plan to stabilize and rehabilitate damage from the November storm.'
State Farm Insurance Agent Chris Brecht, who oversees the Main Street office, said he and his employees worked remotely for around three months.
Brecht said in-person meetings were arranged with many older customers, who preferred them.
State Farm returned to servicing customers at the building around the end of March and beginning of April, Brecht said.
Customers are happy to see the State Farm running from its office again, he said.
Brecht said his employees are generally happy with the return too.
'They're excited to be back and meeting customers face to face as well,' he said.
Brecht said he has seen the tattoo parlor operating again at the building, but has not seen Cricket Wireless and CCC operating at the building.
Blackheart Tattoo, CCC and Cricket Wireless could not be reached for comment.
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