Old back alley hardware store in Cedartown bought by Hubbard

The old Cedartown Hardware Store on the back alley behind Main Street could soon have a second life after local business owner and city commissioner Jordan Hubbard has bought it up.

Hubbard, who owns several local businesses and storefronts via J. Hubbard Enterprises including Ideal Bakery, said he’s coming up with several ideas for what to do with the old tin-sided hardware store.

“The legacy that Jerry Jeffries left on our community needs to be kept alive,” said Hubbard. “I’m not entirely sure what I want to do yet, but seeing that building and property sit vacant isn’t right. It wasn’t what it needed to be.”

He’s throwing around several ideas for what to do with the old hardware store. Chief among them in his mind is to have a warehouse-style wedding venue, using the back area and some adjacent space that came with it as a mixed-use, indoor-outdoor facility.

“I’m gauging the interest level for that idea, and so far the level is pretty good,” he said.

Hubbard bought the property back in August with the intention of at the very least making a number of renovations within the old hardware store, but he said no matter what it becomes his intention is to keep the store’s interior and exterior character in mind when making design decisions and upgrades.

Those changes are likely off in the far future, since Hubbard admits he has plenty to keep him busy. With some help, he continues to operate Studio Fit and Ideal Bakery on Main Street, is a landlord for several businesses and residences around town, and is also a teacher.

Hubbard is also seeking a second term as one of four candidates in the upcoming municipal election for the Cedartown City Commission.

“I’ve got a lot going on, so this is a project that will be ongoing for a while,” he said.