BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – To hear Denise Pence tell the story: it was a piece of fate, just waiting to happen. Pence and her husband, Gregory, own one of the largest – and most successful – malls in the Midwest: Exit 76 at Edinburgh, Ind. As the parents of four adult children, they live in nearby Columbus, Ind. A few months ago, a daughter, Emily, was waiting for acceptance at the Indiana University School of Law at Bloomington, some 36 miles due west of their home. On this fateful summer day, Emily – without notice – received her notification for acceptance into law school. Gregory, Denise and Emily, all three excited, abruptly decided to drive to Bloomington that very day and complete all the final enrollment procedures. While Emily was going through an informal orientation, confirming acceptance and working her way through all the necessary paperwork, Gregory had the overwhelming desire to get some fresh air. The stuffy legal atmosphere on a beautiful summer day was too much for this avid runner. And the B Line Trail in this college town offers one of the most scenic and pleasurable routes in the state. Just as Gregory was finishing his run, near the end of the B Line at West Seventh Street, he looked up at the old Tom Taylor Building, which until nearly three years ago housed the Bloomington Antique Mall. And yes, there was the old "For Lease" sign on the side of the building. But what, did that sign below say? Something, like "contact the Cook Financial Corp. for purchase" – or words of that nature. Pence was on his cell phone immediately. The Pences went into a more formal meeting the next day. Within weeks, it became a "done deal." The Pences now own the building, the rights to continue business as The Bloomington Antique Mall, and the drive and force to fill the three-story, 24,000 square foot building with antiques, fine art and design, and work from "fresh" artisans. The Bloomington Antique Mall plans on being back in business by the first week of November. The mall location at 311 West Seventh Street is a perfect Bloomington location. Downtown, and right off the town square, the Taylor Building is not only located next to the B Line Trail but directly across from the popular farmer’s market (which brings in about 3,000 people each Saturday). Originally built as a grocery warehouse, the building has a loading dock and a new passenger/freight elevator, designed and built with the original look of the building in mind. "It’s a beautiful building," Denise Pence says. "It was completely renovated in 1987 and the integrity of the building was maintained. That’s something we’re definitely going to continue; we’re going to keep the integrity of the building. We’re going to have nice quality antiques and unique artisans – potters, painters and creative people – there are so many talented people to draw from here in Bloomington." Bloomington, of course, is the home of Indiana University, a Big Ten school with an enrollment of more than 42,000 students. In addition to its renowned music school, the Bloomington campus offers world-class performance spaces and museums, and prestigious programs in fine arts and the theater. "We know we’re going to have a different crowd in Bloomington (as compared with Exit 76)," Denise Pence acknowledges. "And, that’s something we’re looking forward to. We’re running very competitive rates for our booths. We’re having cases designed and made, right now, in North Carolina. And the cases, something that wasn’t in the old Bloomington mall, will also be competitively priced. We’re looking to fill it up quickly." Exit 76 Manager Nic Nicoson will be the General Manager, overseeing the overall management at both Edinburgh and Bloomington. He recently hired a woman to manage "fulltime" at the Bloomington mall. "It’s pretty much a win-win for everyone," Nicoson says. "I think the success here at Exit 76 was one of the reasons for the expansion. And I think there was a need for another mall in Bloomington." Echoing Nicoson’s conclusions, Denise Pence says "we’re not necessarily looking for a bad economy to open another store, but I think it’s been a good lesson for the kids in their 20s, and even older. "I think they’re finally learning you don’t have to go to a fancy boutique or one of the box stores to find what you need," she says. "In this economy, you can get a better bang for your buck in an antique mall. You’re going to find quality, and things you can use for years. "We’re finding the educated, frugal shopper … it’s good for the consumer … it’s good for the seller." Contact: (812) 526-7676 www.exit76antiques.com Eric C. Rodenberg |