Good News Friday: Glory Renewed
It’s #GoodNewsFriday, so let’s talk about something that has attracted attention this week in #StamfordTexas!
I’ve spent years passing by this building. It was constructed as the Penick-Hughes Company in about 1910, by R.L. Penick, a pioneering merchant and former mayor whose contributions to the community were such that he was dubbed the “Father of Stamford.” Depending your age, you might call it something different, after a variety of businesses that have occupied the building over the years. Whatever you call it, it is a crown jewel of the downtown square and the Stamford skyline, but it has sat vacant for most of my lifetime. It has long been a hulking shell of past memories and future potential. This week, a tin covering was removed from the front of the building. It revealed a vintage “Huston Hardware” sign that has not been seen in decades. I have received a number of questions about what’s happening, so I wanted to share some current answers in one place.
A new bank coming to town and will be located in the bottom floor. Other plans are still being discussed, and will be announced as soon as possible, but a full renovation is being planned that will return the building to its original historic glory. I’ve often advocated that the key to Stamford’s future prosperity is to attract new investment in our community. That’s how we grow our tax base, create new jobs, and improve our quality of life. It is slowly but surely beginning to happen and it is the sign of brighter days to come!
“Good News Friday” is a weekly feature spotlighting positive news and activities in the #StamfordTexas community as a part of our quest to build a #BetterStamford.