Local businessmen buy Alpha Building in Nevada City

The Alpha building on Broad Street

Broad Street Furnishings went out of business in April 2008 and left the Alpha Building, creating a giant retail hole in downtown Nevada City. The furniture store had been doing business for more than 30 years in Nevada City.

Two Nevada City men have purchased the largest vacant retail space in the downtown.

Ken Baker and Gary Tintle bought the Alpha building in June, according to Tintle, a contractor and member of the Downtown Business Association.

“It's the scariest thing we've ever done,” he said. “We don't have a tenant yet.”

Baker is the President of Nevada City Engineering.

They do, however, have a very good prospect to fill the two-story, 30,000-square-foot building at the top of Broad Street.

California Organics owner Chris Kysar, who at one time was looking at buying the building, is planning on being the new landlord's first tenant although it could be several months before the move happens.

“I'm really optimistic at this point,” he said of his plans. “The thing that has been hanging this up is securing financing but that started changing about two weeks ago.”

Kysar said he is getting assistance from state and federal officials as well.

“I think they're attracted to the number of jobs this could create and it has a green appeal that they like,” he said.

Kysar said he now employees between 37 and 50 workers, depending on the season, at his organic-food store and restaurant at 135 Argall Way in the 7 Hills District.

Broad Street Furnishings went out of business in April 2008 and left the Alpha Building, creating a giant retail hole in downtown Nevada City. The furniture store had been doing business for more than 30 years in Nevada City

Kysar was reluctant to share his business plan for the Alpha Building. He did say, however, that he's aware of the concerns about parking in downtown Nevada City.

“There's some creative resolutions to that,” Kysar said. “I don't think it's going to be a concern.”

Tintle knows the building will be vacant for several more months, but he feels that in the long run they're making an important investment in the town's future.

“Chris needs to focus on his business,” Tintle said. “We're doing this to try and do something beneficial for the downtown.”