BUSINESS OPENINGS

HER Realtors, the country’s largest agent-owned real estate firm, officially opened a new Dayton area office on Thursday at 1024 W. Third St. in the region’s historic Wright Dunbar Business District. Renovation of this circa-1890 building was led by local HER Realtor and avid historian Shannon Jackson.

Jackson has long been interested in the revitalization efforts taking place in the Wright Dunbar region, so when the opportunity arose to purchase a piece of history on West Third Street, she jumped. This historically significant corridor on the western edge of Dayton is where Wilbur and Orville Wright designed the worlds’ first powered airplane, and African-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar penned his renowned poetry. On the National Register of Historical Places, it is also home to the Dayton Aviation heritage National Historical Park, National Aviation Heritage Alliance and the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame.

With support from the City of Dayton and the HER Realtors development team, Jackson began a several month renovation of the property aimed at preserving and showcasing its original charm.

“When clients walk in, we want them to feel as though they have traveled back in time, complete with antique furnishings and collections,” Jackson said. “We want to create a memorable experience and an agency that is truly community centered.”

Jackson and her husband, Kurt, will be two of several HER agents working from this new office in downtown Dayton and serving the greater Miami Valley region. Recruiting efforts are attracting some talented agents that are excited to be a part of this historical office, she said.