Steinmans buy Hardiman furniture building

By Emily Ford

eford@salisburypost.com

Al Hoffman, owner of Hardiman & Son in downtown Salisbury, has sold his building to Dr. Charles Steinman and will retire after 61 years in the furniture business.

Hoffman, a cornerstone of the downtown community, hasn’t set a closing date.

Steinman, a local veterinarian, bought the three-story building at 131 E. Innes St. with his sons, Tim and Todd Steinman, and son-in-law Christopher Dunn. They plan an extensive redevelopment.

“It’s a landmark building, a solid building,” he said.

The family loves Salisbury, “and we’d like to do our part to maintain the downtown,” Steinman said.

They plan to restore the front of the building to its original appearance, based on photos from 1924, Steinman said. Retail will occupy the first floor, with offices above.

They have no plans yet for the full basement.

“We are excited about it,” said Randy Hemann, executive director for Downtown Salisbury.

Downtown needs additional office space, he said.

“There’s not much on the market right now,” he said. “We need it in this size and configuration.”

The design will allow smaller suites of offices on the second and third floors. The flexible first floor will offer retailers from 1,500 to 4,000 square feet, Hemann said.

Hemann lauded Hoffman’s dedication to downtown, and Steinman called him the “patriarch of downtown citizens.”

“Mr. Hoffman has been a pillar of the downtown for years, and he will certainly be missed,” Hemann said.

Gray Stout is the architect and Bob Glover is the contractor for the redevelopment project.

Steinman owns the Animal Care Center of Salisbury. He’s semi-retired and said he wanted to take on a project.

“It’s kind of a challenge,” he said.

The building sold for $250,000.

Contact Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.