Fifty-five Main in Meredith

Swimmer215 · 08-10-2025, 11:37 AM

Former location of our beloved Waukewan Antiques and the Phu Jee restaurant. We snoop around the construction site every time we're over there. The renderings of the future facade of the building look very cute, but the site seems to need an insane amount of work. They've completely gutted the building, basement and foundation, but oddly have left a very rickety-looking staircase in place (?). I'm wondering when they expect to be finished, and also how the owner(s) will recoup what looks like an astronomical investment -- especially since it looks like, at best, they won't open till after Thanksgiving. Anyone know anything?

TheTimeTraveler · 08-10-2025, 01:26 PM

Sometimes old things are left as is during a remodeling process as it wouldn't meet today's building codes if altered or move.

Grandfather protection is always something to consider during any remodeling to take advantage of things you can no longer do (i.e. thinking of structures to close to a lot line, setbacks, etc.).

John Mercier · 08-10-2025, 01:42 PM

Commercial building.
So the staircase may be the temp used to access the second floor while construction is occurring.

Swimmer215 · 08-10-2025, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Sometimes old things are left as is during a remodeling process as it wouldn't meet today's building codes if altered or move.

Grandfather protection is always something to consider during any remodeling to take advantage of things you can no longer do (i.e. thinking of structures to close to a lot line, setbacks, etc.).

Yup, understood, but I guess I was trying to imply that the staircase looked downright unsafe. I wouldn't think even the workers would use it in the short term... but what do I know? 😃

TheTimeTraveler · 08-10-2025, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimmer215

Yup, understood, but I guess I was trying to imply that the staircase looked downright unsafe. I wouldn't think even the workers would use it in the short term... but what do I know? ��

Looks like @John Mercier may have hit the nail on the head.

FlyingScot · 08-10-2025, 02:12 PM

The new owners are VERY well-heeled with plenty of relevant experience/connections. The expense will not phase them. This place will likely be great

Biggd · 08-10-2025, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

The new owners are VERY well-heeled with plenty of relevant experience/connections. The expense will not phase them. This place will likely be great

And expensive!

John Mercier · 08-10-2025, 08:16 PM

It is going to get much worse.

AC2717 · 08-11-2025, 09:06 AM

Does anyone know what is going in there once done?

08-10-2025, 11:37 AM	#1
Swimmer215 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2024 Posts: 15 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Fifty-five Main in Meredith Former location of our beloved Waukewan Antiques and the Phu Jee restaurant. We snoop around the construction site every time we're over there. The renderings of the future facade of the building look very cute, but the site seems to need an insane amount of work. They've completely gutted the building, basement and foundation, but oddly have left a very rickety-looking staircase in place (?). I'm wondering when they expect to be finished, and also how the owner(s) will recoup what looks like an astronomical investment -- especially since it looks like, at best, they won't open till after Thanksgiving. Anyone know anything?

08-11-2025, 09:06 AM	#9
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,585 Thanks: 755 Thanked 356 Times in 268 Posts	Does anyone know what is going in there once done? __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

08-10-2025, 01:26 PM	#2
TheTimeTraveler Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 903 Thanks: 287 Thanked 291 Times in 181 Posts	Sometimes old things are left as is during a remodeling process as it wouldn't meet today's building codes if altered or move. Grandfather protection is always something to consider during any remodeling to take advantage of things you can no longer do (i.e. thinking of structures to close to a lot line, setbacks, etc.).

08-10-2025, 01:42 PM	#3
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,482 Thanks: 3 Thanked 613 Times in 506 Posts	Commercial building. So the staircase may be the temp used to access the second floor while construction is occurring.

08-10-2025, 02:12 PM	#6
FlyingScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tuftonboro and Sudbury, MA Posts: 2,426 Thanks: 1,327 Thanked 1,031 Times in 639 Posts	The new owners are VERY well-heeled with plenty of relevant experience/connections. The expense will not phase them. This place will likely be great

08-10-2025, 08:16 PM	#8
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,482 Thanks: 3 Thanked 613 Times in 506 Posts	It is going to get much worse.