The PACE Group of Thomasville sells restored building in Historic Downtown Thomasville
Pictured left to right: Grace Kanoy (PACE Board), Wendy Sellars (City Council), Keith Tobin (Thomasville Chamber), Sara Faulkner (PACE Board), Neal Grimes (City Council, Jim Gregory (*PACE President), Raleigh York (Mayor), Doug Eliott (Former PACE President), Brad Davids (New owner, Domino's Franchisee), Elizabeth Hinkle (PACE Secretary), and Jarrod Dunbar (Thomasville Tourism).
In late fall of 2014, the PACE (People Achieving Community Enhancement) Group embarked on their first building restoration project of 6 Main Street and 9 Salem Street. These buildings were donated by the late Bob Callicutt of Callicutt Realty, and these donations initiated the group’s Historic Downtown Building Restoration Project.
Funds raised through PACE’s Annual Farm to Table gathering and the cultural grant it received from the Economic Development Competitive Grant Program for Underserved and Limited Resources Communities (issued by North Carolina Department of Commerce Rural Economic Development Division) served to save these buildings from demolition.
Jim Gregory, president of the PACE Group emphasized, “We are very fortunate to have members of PACE who contributed their professional expertise and worked specifically on this project. In particular, Ben Watford, who has worked tirelessly on bringing the buildings to marketable status and Doug Elliott, who has guided us through the legal morass.”
On December 18, 2017, the PACE Group closed the sale of these buildings to entrepreneur and restauranteur Brad Davis, who will open a dine-in Domino’s Restaurant, a new Domino’s concept.
“Once I found out about the availability of the restored buildings, I jumped at the opportunity to open up my new Domino concept restaurant in Thomasville. The Historic District of Thomasville is on the cusp of growing,” stated Davis. “With the addition of Chair City Lofts, several new retailers and restaurants, and PACE’s efforts to restore the 1920s architectural charm of this historic district, we have a winning combination of real revitalization and a real destination for people to enjoy.”
Gregory added enthusiastically, “This project is proof positive that through cooperation of public-private entities that major revitalization projects can happen. We would like to thank the mayor and City Council for their support and Kelly Craver’s staff for in-kind help they provided.”
The restoration project is perhaps the most expensive and ambitious one that PACE has undertaken. Past completed projects include, PACE Amphitheater, Farmers Market building, street lamp project, waste disposal cans, sidewalk enlargements and other enhancements. The group will continue its efforts to improve the historic downtown area.