Covington resident Kelly Charlton doesn’t have a background in development, but she’s helping change the face of Pike Street. She currently owns two buildings on the street and, if the right opportunity comes along, would love to continue to support the growth in the area as well as expand her business, TCZ Properties.
“There is a lot of development happening in and around the Pike Street corridor, and I wanted to be in the middle of it,” Charlton says.
Built in 1881, the building at 2 W. Pike St. is considered historic. Charlton saw its potential to become a keystone property in the neighborhood because it sits on the corner of Pike and Madison Avenue.
She purchased the building about a year ago and has leased two of the three retail spaces, one to
Durham Brand & Co. design studio and the other to
Covington Arts Gallery. She recently purchased 10 W. Pike St., the former home of Barking Fish Lounge and Pike Street Peddler, and is just beginning to redevelop it.
The available storefront at 2 W. Pike is about 650 square feet, while the Covington Arts space is about 550 square feet and the third-floor space occupied by Durham Brand is about 750 square feet. The building also has a 700-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment for rent at $650 per month and a 1,300-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment for rent at $1,200 per month.
10 W. Pike is a two-and-a-half story building with a 900-square-foot storefront that will be home to Karla Louise: Bridal Alterations, Accessories and Designs, which is slated to open in May. The bridal boutique will offer dress alterations and reconstruction as well as handmade accessories for brides and bridesmaids, including sleeves, belts, veils and jewelry.
The one-bedroom apartment on the second floor is about 1,200 square feet and will rent for $1,000 per month.
Charlton says her plans for 10 W. Pike include installing new hardwood flooring and appliances as well as updating the electric and adding fresh paint throughout the building.
“In a year’s time, that section of Pike and Madison will look completely different,” she says. “There are several long-vacant buildings that are now under construction and filling with new businesses and residences. I hope to see Pike Street become a center for retail.”
Charlton says being part of Covington’s revitalization is important to her because of her love for the neighborhood. She also feels strongly about bringing new businesses to the area and helping maintain the neighborhood’s architecture and the history of the buildings.
“As a Covington native, I also understand the value and importance of smaller-scale projects to the people who live and work here,” she says.
Charlton says that larger scale developments in Covington — including the Mutual Building on the opposite corner of Pike and Madison, Covington city offices at 20 W. Pike and Braxton Brewery a street over on Seventh — provide a catalyst for smaller, private developers like her. Those smaller-scale projects show residents and visitors alike that there is rejuvenation happening in Covington and that businesses want to relocate there.
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