Former Gaslight Inn building being renovated

CHILLICOTHE — A renovation project at the former Gaslight Inn restaurant in Chillicothe is expected to be wrapped up soon as efforts continue to secure one or more tenants for the building.

The 5,000-square-foot structure at the corner of Bridge Street and Hopetown Road has received a complete facelift that has included a new roof, electric, plumbing, as well as improvements to the outside facade. Kevin Winegardner, who runs WRH Co. in Chillicothe, said he has owned the building for approximately a year and a half to two years and noted several possibilities about what could exist at the site.

“Right now, we’re trying to stay as flexible as possible. The building could be split into four units as small as 1,250 square feet or a single tenant could take the entire 5,000-square-foot building,” Winegardner said.

Winegardner said the building “has tons of potential” because of its location and predicted future growth along Bridge Street in the immediate area. At one time, the building also served as the home of the Hopetown Market and a bar once known as the Last Stop.

Winegardner did not reveal the total cost of the renovation project, but confirmed he has three potential parties that he is talking with about possibly occupying space. He stressed that nothing has been finalized yet and said the preliminary discussions with the people he has talked to have included possibly having a restaurant, mixed office space and retail at the site.

“All uses are being discussed,” he said.