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A renovation crew works on balconies on Locust Street last week. Shown are the Oddfella’s Cantina (on left) and The Bell Gallery & Garden.

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Overlooking the street: balconies are also part of town’s new look

by Roger Mannon
Staff Writer

The balconies are returning to Locust Street. Work is underway now at Oddfellas Cantina and Bell Gallery as part of the Town of Floyd’s façade renovation project.
The Bell Gallery and Garden building, owned by Bill and Joanne Bell, dates back to the turn of the 20th century, Bill said. “Our idea was to restore the front of the building to look like it did in the 1900s.” That look included a balcony.
The balcony isn’t quite as wide as the original one. The original balcony had cantilevered beams that came out from the inside of the building, Bill explained. At some point in time, those beams were cut off.
When engineers looked at the balcony this time, they said posts would be needed to support it. The posts could only be about a foot from the building, so that narrowed the building.
Rob Neukirch of Oddfellas said his building, which also originally included a balcony, “is circa 1910-1915.” One of the fondly remembered uses for the building was Moses’ Restaurant, from the 1950s to 1970s.
“It had the big neon sign with the arrow pointing down into the restaurant,” Neukirch said.
After that the building was an upholstery shop, an exercise gym, a bakery and then a series of restaurants again.
“We should get these finished up in about a week,” said Ron Hull of Woodworks Restoration and Remodeling, Inc., the Radford-based contractor for the project. “All we need to finish on Oddfellas is the balcony.”
Bell Gallery is getting new boarding, as well as a new balcony. Old buildings are sometimes a problem, Hull noted. “The Gallery building is about two inches out of square. So we have to adjust for that as we get higher.”
Hull said both buildings would have a “western look” for their balconies.
Town manager Mike Maslaney said he was pleased with the progress. “Things are going great.”
He said different contractors are involved with various projects around town. Woodworks Restoration and Remodeling has several contracts and will move on to other projects in town as their work is completed. “They will go to Paul LaCoste’s building next,” Maslaney remarked. “Then they’ll work on Farmers’ Supply, the Spessard Building, the old carriage house and probably finish up working on Winter Sun.”
In addition to the renovation of old structures, the town is also looking forward to a parking lot, being constructed across the street from the Floyd Country Store.
“They want to get that done as fast as possible,” Maslaney stated. “They want to get the asphalt laid before winter.
“Exciting things are starting to happen in the town,” he added. “After two and a half years of paperwork, now we’re getting to the hammer and nails.”