Historic 1904 Building Could See Fresh Updates in Downtown Braselton

The future of one of downtown Braselton’s most recognizable buildings may soon be shaped by the people who will utilize the building the most - the community.

At last Wednesday’s meeting of the Braselton Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA), members discussed fresh ideas for the historic 1904 Building and how the space could better serve both local businesses and residents in the years ahead. The conversation centered around gathering public input, exploring new business opportunities, and possibly reimagining parts of the building to make the most of its potential.

The 1904 Building, once home to the original Braselton Brothers Store, reopened in 2022 after a major renovation and now serves as a mix of retail, restaurant, and office space. But URA members believe there may still be untapped opportunities inside the historic property.

“One of the opportunities is really to look at how the space is actually configured and what is the highest and best use of the facility,” URA member Sue Wyatt shared during the discussion.

One area that quickly became part of the conversation was the building’s lobby, which currently features displays highlighting Braselton’s history. While members emphasized the importance of preserving the town’s story, several also noted the possibility of making the space more active and functional.

“There’s so much potential there in that lobby,” URA member Becky Richardson said. “I feel like that’s a lot of wasted space that could be set up for something.”

Greg Krafcik added that the lobby is “probably the most attractive space in the building,” noting that finding a way for it to generate additional activity or revenue could benefit the property long-term.

Another idea floated during the meeting included potentially moving the building’s main entrance to the Highway 53 side to improve visibility and accessibility. Wyatt noted that any major changes would first need to be reviewed for feasibility by an engineer.

Before any formal plans move forward, URA member Stephanie Braselton, whose family owned the Braselton Brothers store located in the building since 1904, encouraged the board to hear directly from the community. Her suggestion was simple: ask residents what they would love to see inside the building before hiring consultants or engineers.

“Come up with some way to engage the community to say, ‘Hey, what would you like to see here?” she said.

Braselton Town Manager Ron Bennett said the town plans to explore proposals from consultants who could help gather community feedback and provide recommendations for the building’s future.

In other action related to the 1904 Building, the URA approved an engineering proposal aimed at solving an ongoing sewer odor issue inside and around the space. The agency also approved improvements to the building’s entrance ramp and railing.

The board also heard a proposal from the owners of downtown Braselton wine bar Cork It, who are seeking to add two outdoor decks behind the business in separate phases.

The Braselton URA will meet again on Friday, June 19 at 9 am.