Commercial real estate watch: Autumn edition

We focus on first-time entrepreneurs and promising small businesses a lot in the pages of The Keel — and for good reason. These are the people that will shape our region for years to come. One thing we’ve noticed is that so many entrepreneurs start their businesses out of their homes, eventually moving to co-working spaces and pop-up shops as they take the next step. It’s a smart, practical (and affordable) way of growing a business. The next step might be leasing a storefront, of course, but for some, purchasing a building might be the best option. We took a look around St. Clair County and found some commercial spaces for sale that sparked our own imagination. Maybe they’ll spark someone else’s, too.

4770 King Road (China Township): $299,900

Making the jump from running a small food-based business out of your home kitchen to a professional kitchen can be a daunting decision — the cost of acquiring all of that equipment has no doubt stymied more than a few chefs in their attempts to grow their business. That’s why this listing in China Township is so intriguing. Not only is the building for sale but so is all of the professional catering equipment, too. Tony & Mary’s Catering, in business since 1961, is selling both the building and its wealth of professional kitchen equipment within.

[Loopnet]

1006 Military Street (Port Huron): $279,900

Currently listed as being in escrow, this historic theater-turned-gymnastics center in downtown Port Huron is worth keeping tabs on. Opening in 1922 as the Desmond Theatre before becoming the Huron Theatre in the 1960s, the building was converted into the Huron Physical Arts Center dance and gymnastics studio in the 1990s. There’s a lot of history here, as well as good memories.

[Loopnet]

314 Huron Avenue (Port Huron): $1,329,000

11 residential lofts and 8,000 sq. ft. of retail space is for sale in downtown Port Huron, the historic Ben’s Lofts building which received significant restoration work in 2012. Built in 1911, this three-story building was “one of the first monolithic poured foundation building[s] in the country,” according to the listing. Today it’s known as Ben’s Lofts — smartly restored urban lofts, all 11 of which are currently under lease. Also included is 4,000 sq. ft. of basement storage and 8,000 sq. ft. of sidewalk-facing retail space.

[Loopnet]