Rusted Root Co. Properties currently owns a building at 121 S. Jefferson St. on the town square in Rockville, Indiana. This building was built in 1893 and is registered as a historical building with the State of Indiana. Rusted Root Co. has completed renovation to the main floor of the building which is currently used as retail space. However, the second-story living space has been boarded up for several years by previous building owners due to the staircase leading up to the second floor no longer being up to code. A new and separate entrance has already been constructed allowing us access to the second floor by means of an interior staircase. As Rusted Root Co. approach the process of renovating the second-story living space, they are doing their due diligence to ensure the structural integrity of the building to support any construction upgrades.
This project will require a complete demo and reconstruction of the interior due to decades of being boarded up and uninhabited. Fortunately, the original wood floors have been covered and protected by carpet and the exterior walls of the original brick will be saved with some much-needed tuckpointing. There are seven windows throughout the second floor which will all need replaced, but once completed will offer beautiful views of the Parke County courthouse and historical brick street town square. Once renovations are complete, the space will be available to rent as a short-term vacation rental for out-of-town guests to enjoy.
Parke County is a desirable year-round tourist location for many looking to stay close to shopping and eating, with good broadband connectivity and close to our beautiful state parks. This has been demonstrated with increasing number of vacation rentals and increase in the county’s innkeeper’s tax from these vacation rentals. This would support the renovation of the second-floor apartment for future short-term vacation guests. The commercial space of the current property on the square is currently occupied by Rusted Root Co. LLC, a candle studio and candle bar. Rusted Root Co. is solely owned by Rusted Root Co. Properties cofounder Jenn Kersey and pays a monthly rental fee to Rusted Root Co. Properties. All renovation work done to this commercial space was done by the co-owners of Rusted Root Co. Properties.