Sisters set sights on Genesee landmark
Lewiston pair hope to renovate the Exchange Bank in town and perhaps see eatery open
GENESEE - The twin sisters responsible for rehabilitating some of Lewiston's most iconic buildings are turning their attention to Genesee.
Nikky Hites and Vikky Ross have acquired the Exchange Bank building in Genesee and are beginning to map out renovations of the structure.
They will attend a meeting at 7 tonight at the Genesee Community Center, where city historian Earl H. Bennett will discuss the history of banking in Genesee.
About a third of the 3,000-square-foot, single-story Exchange Bank building houses Genesee's post office. Ross said she and her sister are leaning toward seeking a tenant who would operate a restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch in the remaining two-thirds of the space.
It could be ready sometime this summer if they find someone who is interested in the idea. The sisters have no interest in operating an eatery, but are willing to tailor improvements in the building for someone who would.
Until the tenant is identified, they'll work on basics, such as replacing a clogged, decaying drain for roof water. It was connected to the sewer and they're rerouting it so it empties into the city's stormwater system.
The idea for a restaurant surfaced after the sisters talked with community members and assessed what Genesee has and what it needs, Ross said.
Right now, the grocery store and a couple of bars that serve food are among the only places people can get a bite to eat if they're visiting town for high school sports or other events.
A combination of factors got the pair interested in Genesee, Ross said.
Her sister ran into Genesee's mayor at a hardware store not long after he read a profile about them in the Lewiston Tribune that talked about how the sisters had revived Morgans' Alley and other vintage buildings in Lewiston.
"He said, 'We have a building for you to rescue,' " Ross said.
When they inspected the Exchange Bank, they found it met their criteria for being unique and situated such that they could lease it and get a return on their investment.
There's a huge bank vault in the building that's still intact, lots of extra architectural details on the exterior and interior, and oak hardwood floors.
At the same time, home values in Genesee are solid, less expensive than Moscow, but higher than Lewiston. And Ross said residents are eager to see more activity in their town. The city is completing an eight-space recreational vehicle park that has an added benefit of year-round public bathrooms a block from downtown.
The city's also about to start a $2.5 million upgrade of Chestnut Street that will widen the thoroughfare as well as add curbs, lighting and sidewalks with access for those with disabilities, Mayor Steve Odenborg said. Similar improvements will happen on Beech Street as part of the project.
"It's a beautiful town," Ross said. "People are so friendly. You can see it from the highway."
Even though they're tackling a building in Genesee, the sisters will continue to put a lot of time into Lewiston. But Ross said that effort might be more in the form of giving advice to investors as opposed to undertaking something new themselves.
"We want to be a resource," she said.
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Williams may be contacted at ewilliam@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2261.
