Congratulations, as a former contractor, i always tell people in your situation, check out the roof first. If it needs work, do that first, if it leaks, it can ruin all your hard work
Hey congrats on the purchase!! I’m a contractor and this excites me to see the future of the building. Also I’m a buckeyes fan from Missouri so I can tell I like u !!! I just subscribed so can’t wait to watch the journey
I'm been watching another restorer for a few years. He redid the largest part of the roof while neglecting the mansard section. His rationale was that he had to get other projects done to exterior prior to tackling the mansard roof and it's expense.
I was so excited when my sister Stacey texted this video to our family group text. She works at the Edgefield County courthouse tax auditor office. We were born and raised in Johnston. As children we went to that very same building when it was the laundromat. As a child it looked a lot bigger to me then. We loved going there. Never knew it was an apartment over it. This is so cool to see my hometown. I live in Baltimore now and work in DC for the Federal government. Due to my health issues I don’t get home too often now. Yes peach Capitol of the world. I worked in the peach packing sheds when I was little. Lewis F. Holmes and Son down Aiken hwy. Thanks for sharing 😊
Wow, I'm hooked after one episode!! I'm a retired builder/engineering designer and I see a lot of potential in this building. Even with your limited camera work I can see a flat ceiling above the first floor and no major cracks in the slab. Both good signs. Perhaps when you get some more light in there we can take a closer look. With your camera work that is. I know you didn't ask, but here is what I would do in the first 30 days. Start with a blank notebook of drawing paper and start with a basic floor and make a bunch of sketches based on what you want to do. Then hire a designer to come in and take the critical measurements of the interior of the building and draw a scaled plan of your ideas. Then take it to a local architect who is savvy to the local architectural control board, if there is one, and see if he/she thinks what they will think about your ideas. After that you can consider where to start your electrical and water and HVAC in the future. Just my 2 cents. Good luck and Greetings from Texas....John B. Now I'm going to check out your previous videos......JB
I appreciate your comment. I did start with a blank sketch, notebook and a notebook for lists and ideas. I’m almost complete with the floor plan and have drawn out electrical, plumbing and HVAC. I’ll take your advice and keep you updated through the videos. Thanks for watching!
Welcome to Johnston. I’ve lived here all my life and also a member of the Fire Department across the street. Enjoy your time and I hope whatever business you decide to go into does well for you.
It can’t be a coincidence that you met someone living in the apartment in the 30’s!! The building has so much life attached to it. You are doing a great thing…..Hopefully the town council has some old blueprints and info on the bank. Congratulations and good luck
Remember the primary rule of big projects. The first 90% of any job takes 90% of the time. The last 10% takes the other 90% of the time. This rule also applies to estimated expenses.
Exactly. Renovations/rebuilds working within an existing structure ALWAYS hit snags to be worked through. Unexpected water damage, roof hiccups, termites, faulty previous renovations…. My dad always said quadruple your estimated time to complete, and be prepared for your expenses to run 10x your original estimates. It doesn’t always cost that much, but old houses/buildings are money pits, so if you haven’t got that wherewithal when you start, best to walk away.
I truly love old architecture and anytime it can be saved it saves a bit of history because for sure newer buildings do NOT have the charm and beauty of old architecture ❤❤
@@KC9UDX But what about the styrofoam and stucco builders? Think of the poor real estate speculators who can't make a profit without building homes of foam and chicken wire.....
@@FoxyfloofJumps I guess I should've indicated that I was being sarcastic. I like old things and hate new things and it really bothers me when things need to be "updated" BTW, I just about had the time of my life today driving my ugly, stinky old 1980s cars. I wanted to but neglected to make a good video about it. 🙁
It makes me a little nervous that most of the storefronts look empty. I hope you are able to determine what might help bring business back to that area. I'll be rooting for you.
small towns like that populations is mostly older people and slowing dying off, I am from a small Texas town of 1200 people, soon as we got old enough to move away we did. Now only really old people are left and think the pop is now under 800..... small towns are just dying off as the population gets older.
We’ve got some good ideas and a lot of people supporting us in town. There’s more going on here than what we thought. We’re hopeful. Thanks for watching!
I kind of think there's real hope for a rebirth of the small towns. City rents (and crime!) are making many folks take another look at moving to smaller towns, so maybe the pendulum is finally swinging back their way.
@@michaelrexrode3759 -Your job is your job no matter where you work. My wife works remotely and has a routine just like an in office worker. No time wasted on commuting, sometimes has to remember taking a break and lunch, has meetings later in the day when if in an office would be gone already. Coworkers stay connected throughout the day via Microsoft Teams.
Lawrence KS has a busy downtown, since it's where KS Univ is located. An old bank was turned into a restaurant. The vault door is still there. The vault was turned into the bathrooms.
Welcome to Johnston, we are happy to have you here! Best wishes for your new business! If you’re looking for a good church to visit, we have a wonderful community of people at Johnston First Baptist Church right around the corner from your new place. We’d love to have you anytime.
What a fun project to tackle! The upstairs is wonderful with the fireplaces and the half-round window. I was really glad to hear you both say you would have still bought the building if you had seen it first. I can’t wait to see what you make of it.
In NYC, SOHO loft and business owners (on a tight budget) used to spray paint ceilings flat black or flat dark brown. Amazing how all the structural features and HVAC and electrical stuff nearly disappear visually when painted flat black.
I deeply hope you guys do weekly/monthly videos on start to finish on this project. Awesome bringing history back to life, Good Luck and will be watching. Bobby
How exciting!! I love it when people remodel old historic buildings especially downtown town. Downtown is the heart of every town. Keep it beating and bring back the beautiful of that building. I’m excited to see what you decide what to do with the main part of the old bank/laundry mat. All the best in your new adventure!!
What an exciting new venture! Can't wait to see how you transform the abandoned bank in Johnston, South Carolina. Sounds like a unique and thrilling adventure ahead!
this is going to be a cool restoration. As cool as the windows are I would recommend modernizing them, single pane windows do absolutely nothing against the cold or heat, they just keep the wind out. Being able to maintain the proper temperature in your abode will save you a lot of pain in the end. I'm excited to see how well you restore this building it has a lot of character, good luck!
Omstars… I’m from Johnston and one of my few fond memories of that tiny place is the smell of the laundry mat❤️❤️ I always loved the smell of fabric softener and clean clothes. There used to be a nice restaurant over by the police station and a theatre around the corner on the main street back in the 80s. I don’t know what in the world you’re going to do with it but I hope the locals appreciate it. Good for you in seeing the adventure in this!
I would put in ALL new windows. Turn the upstairs into living area and main floor into a cafe. Coffee shop, internet cafe, book ( reading ) area. Let ur imagination go. What is most needed in that area RIGHT NOW ?
I love the sound of American trains, that soft harmonica chord. It is, as you say, a very soothing sound. We lived by the RR when I was ten, and I used to climb up in the lilac bush to wave at the engineer, and the brakeman in his caboose (yes, I'm old!). Best of luck with your project. Good to hear that the roof is in good condition.
I grew up across the street from a railroad track. What are my favorite memories is signaling to the conductor to honk the horn then, hearing the horn blast! The sound of the train rollin down the tracks puts me right to sleep
What town? My friend in Globe, was telling me about an old bank there someone was working on.... I had looked at an old YMCA building there years ago.... Just too much work for me......... but very cool.. Now you got me hooked..
@@muddogtracker7449 Ours is in Humboldt. There is a video on youtube that shows the front and the back of the building. It's called Dewey Humboldt & Mayer Arizona. My house is at the 4:10 minute mark.
@@michiganjfrog5714 Very nice. Is the Blue Hill's still open. I haven't been through there in a few years now..... I used to have breakfast there a couple times a week, years ago.. Great area, Yavapai Co. has a lot to offer! My friend's grandfather, is buried in Humboldt Cemetery...
I live in a town in California that has a peach festival every July. Our area harvests peaches and prunes, almonds, kiwi, grapes, rice,and melons. Apple Hill is not far.
Yes, I know your area well my family has lived off and on in California’s Gold country from 1847. Lots of places in the gold country are named after my relatives.
This was once a very beautiful building, but all of the residents and business people as well as architects and builders who lived or worked there over the last few decades were absolute art philistines. that hurts
I just moved from South Carolina and miss it. I love old bank buildings, you can do a lot with that old building. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
Hey Dray, welcome to Johnston, and congratulations to you and your partner on purchasing the old Bank! My husband and I are in our mid/early thirties, and we love living in Johnston. If you want any advice on things to do or places to eat, please reach out. There are great people here and some great local restaurants / things to do, but you just need to know where to look. If y'all would like to have lunch sometime, let me know, and we can grab a bite!
One of the biggest events in this small town. Whatever they decide to do here will be great for them during the Peach Blossom Festival. Lots of folks coming in town from all over!
Sad to see there was no vault or safe left behind...keep the old plaster on the walls with the brick...it is a very cool look and very popular in old industial warehouses renovated to living spaces. Plus it will save you time and money in disposal fees. Happy transformation! 😊
How awesome of an adventure this will be. I admire you and your girlfriend's sense of adventure. Looking forward to see the progress. If I could work remotely, I'd be doing similar things.
We have been through this town several times( had a flat tire there one time) lots of peach trees around there! They have a great family diner there. The old town is a bustling town. Love this town- watching from Lake Wales, Florida
I’ve been to the college in Lake Wales a few times and a really good barbecue place, fat boys. I think it is. I miss Florida, but I’m loving South Carolina. Thanks for watching.
I like old building conversions. A club I used to belong to in the UK, had as their HQ and clubhouse, a converted courthouse. This was about 40 some years ago, and is now I believe some kind of private dwelling. I did stay there once, in rooms built into the roof area of the main courtroom I think. I remember thinking I would love to live there. Strangely, the whole thing felt welcoming, and the conversion was well done.
I am so excited for the two of you. I’m a builder up in Westlake Ohio near Cleveland. Put word out to find old pictures of the bank at its heyday day and maybe during use. Good news!! Most of the hard demo is done. Too bad the old vault isn’t still in place. Ok… now I’ve done a lot of remodels of old homes. My experience is… never do things half way. Get a plan together for the floor plan… make sure you have a small mud room, kitchen with island that is also a table, walk in pantry, family room, master suite with walk in closet and then the rest will fill in based on the space you have. If you do this right, you will make $$$ and or have a great income property.
Welcome to South Carolina!! I hope you love living here as much as I do. Lots of history and beautiful abandoned locations near Johnston. I don't live far from there myself. Always happy to see beautiful old buildings being restored and can't wait to see what you do with such a great space.
Congrats I bought one last year. Built in 1906. Same tile. I have a small patch only. Bricks bricks bricks, yes removed fireplace....You got a winner bud! Be sure to look for any Federal Reserve notes that may have been issued by your bank. I bought mine site unseen, knew nothing about the town i purchased it in. ~ Julesburg, Co. Owner said it has some lingering spirits. Some say they seen her. I did buy a REM pod and got the most interesting results after it not making one beep for 6 months in my house. My building was offices upstairs and early in the morning around 4:30-6 you can hear the sound of people walking down stairs that were moved. Yeah I know sounds wild. LETS GO! Cheers!
Hey guys!!! Welcome to Edgefield County! We’re glad to have you. I was born here but also just moved back from Tampa Bay. Small world! 🌎 can’t wait to see what you guys do with the place. This is exciting!
Congrats to you both. Looks like it will be amazing once restored. Please both get a protective hard hat for your safety, you can’t be too careful in such a dilapidated space. Looking forward to seeing it come back to life.
My son and I stopped by to eat in a small town in SC. a few years ago - on our way back to GA.. I thought it was so cool with all the old buildings and there was a bit of a revival occurring, it appeared. Had some nice restaurants and some little shops. We were basically in the center of the town on the main road. It was clean and I felt safe and relaxed. I wondered what it would be like to live around there - since so many people can work remotely these days. This video completely reminded me of that day. Small-town appeal. I think you will love this place!
I was born in Spartanburg. Most of my family are from Inman or Prosperity. It was good to see that little country town of Johnston looking healthy and relatively prosperous compared to so many other rural towns across the country. Wish you and Sarah great success and enjoyment with this very unique adventure.
That arched window is a loft apartment window of DREAMS! Congrats on the new adventure! SUPER EXCITED! Not intimidated at all! 🤭He said, yet she said...stay tuned! 😘
Just found your video. Can't wait to see what you do with this building. I've been doing historic restoration in Salisbury, NC for the jast 25 years. I love the first day seeing a project and knowing what it's going to be when I finish. I'll be watch ing your progress. Good luck.
I enjoyed your video. I now live in London, but I lived in Johnston in 1978. I remember the building. There was a Western Auto nearby and some type of textiles factory close by as well. My brother and I used to climb the water tower, put pennies on the rail tracks, collect pecans and play in our neighbor’s barn that was full of peach collecting baskets. We lived in a 2 story house down from Main Street. A couple was going to adopt me and my brother, but we were a handful; I don’t believe they were ready for children. We were pulled out of school one afternoon by a social worker; no goodbyes, and we were gone. Not very dignified. This was the last time I lived with my brother as I would be adopted and he wouldn’t. However, I did enjoy the town as a child. I will watch your other videos. Hope you guys have a great restoration.
Thanks for sharing your memories. No not very dignified and not very well handled at all. Seems, though, like you made some good memories before that time. Used to put pennies on the railroad tracks also as a kid in Florida. Then someone told me that that could cause the train to have an accident so never did that again. 😲. Must have been really tough not getting adopted together.
I live in Aiken, SC! I’ve never been to Johnston (fairly new to Aiken!) but now I have a reason to drive by your old bank! This will be a great renovation project to watch!
That's great to see people saving historical buildings. Kind of a bummer that there is not much interior features left. Regardless, thank you for saving a historical building! Rather see that than another new building containing a coffeeshop built in its place.
I'm so excited for the two of you on this adventure! I love it when people are not afraid to tackle these awesome projects......you won't regret (when your done)!
Looks interesting, will watch your progress, I use to live in Concord and worked in the City in the 70's..I saw the destruction coming and left for Greener pastures. Good luck on your project.
Congratulations I love old buildings! But as Sarah said it’s creepy. But as soon as you get going fixing it up with a little patience it’s going to be beautiful!!
Looks like a great place to survive the zombie apocalypse - from the vision you've shown us, most of the population seems to have fled already. Good luck with the project.
Congratulations on your purchase of that Gem Property. I look forward to following along on your renovation. It looks like it will be a very interesting renovation. All the Best & good Luck.
Just happened upon your channel. Love watching this kind of stuff. Been watching This Old House for 30 plus years. Good luck to you guys and look forward to watching your progress.
❤ Congratulations and welcome to the community! I only remember it as a laundry mat! Good friends down the street at Riley’s. The fresh peaches will make u forget Florida.
What a way to camp! I don’t think I could’ve done it. I look forward to seeing what you make of this old girl. I’m sure it was stunning at one time. Looks like there are some other buildings that might need your help down the road.
The house I grew up in during the 70-80s was an old bank. It was the biggest house in town. My father was a doctor in a country town in Australia. I am looking forward to this.
Congratulations on your purchase! I watching to see how you restore the place into something beautiful again. I never fully understood why abandoned buildings, especially historic ones sit empty for years and years and years! Have fun!
What an amazing building. I project managed a bank in Manchester UK that hand a similar facade. We spent 4 days removing the whole interior (it was so full of furniture). I am so looking forward to the next installment of this adventure your on. Very best wishes. stay safe J.
My late wife and I lived in Aiken SC for 5 years and 9 months. That's not too far from Johnston. If I get back that way I will go to Johnston and see how you are coming along.
My wife and I bought an old house\church credit union ,we turned it back into a house.wet basement ,built a kitchen, bathroom, shower, one big room into 2 smaller rooms.
There's a former bank in Marietta, OH, that is now an event venue called The Vault. I loved going to that bank as a child with my mom-- so many beautiful details. Best wishes for a successful new venture.
