In 2012, the company bought Everybody’s Workplace Solutions Inc., as part of a move into the Dayton market. A warehouse for the retail store is in West Carrollton.
Brian Heitkamp, senior vice president for CityWide Development, the development arm of City Hall, said Monday the company will renovate the 8,500-square-foot space before moving in.
“We love the location, love the building,” Business Furniture President David Bratton said. Up to 25 jobs could be created and the retail location could open in September, he added.
The company, founded in 1922, was Steelcase Inc.’s first distributor, he said. Bratton said the move to Ohio is based on optimism about business conditions. “We are optimistic about the area. We’ve known the business and the area for a long time. We think it is a town on the move,” he said.
The space in the building, 8 North Main St., was last occupied by CVS pharmacy, which moved across the street to Courthouse Square. The building is noteworthy for having been designed by famous architect I.M. Pei.
With the move, the building will be nearly fully occupied with the exception of space in the lower level, Heitkamp said.
Interest in downtown real estate is picking up, Heitkamp said. “In the past six months, there has been more interest and activity,” he said.
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