At left is David Kleppinger, Executive Director, Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation, with Christopher Kyle, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Shentel. Shentel held a grand opening of its newly renovated Covington retail store on Jan. 27, 2010.

Shentel Renovates Retail Store at Historic Covington Site   In just over three months, a historic building in the heart of Covington, Va., has been transformed into a showplace for Shentel – the area’s newest provider of advanced television and Internet services. With the help and expertise of two companies, Snider Construction and Commonwealth Builders, the decades-old structure is ready to lead a new life, complete with a new façade and interior. Prior to becoming the Shentel store, 370 W. Main St., built in 1905, went through many changes. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the building served as Covington Hardware, and became Roadcap Furniture Company in the 1970s. Finally, in the 1980s, it was part of JCPenney’s, which occupied the adjacent building. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which states that the original edifice consisted of a brick façade, a shed roof, arched two-story windows and a corbelled parapet. For a property to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it must be at least 50 years old with strong association with important events in the past. When Shentel acquired the property in 2008, the building was in poor shape. According to Larry Snider of Snider Construction, the exterior brick was deteriorating to the point where it could be pulled out by hand. Now, the building has a restored, completely brick façade – before, only the upper portion of the exterior was brick, with glass windows below. While the building is old, Snider said the decorative metal ceilings were still mostly intact – though the builders reattached and repainted them. The company also added new doors, windows and drywall. Additionally, the Shentel store features expanded showroom space, which now covers over 400 square feet. There is also a new service counter desk and improved office space for Shentel personnel. The store is designed for about two or three customer service representatives, four technicians and a manager. Shentel Executive Vice President Earle MacKenzie foresees many years ahead at the new store. “We are thrilled with the building’s new-and-improved look – the construction crews did an outstanding job making this store a place we are proud to call our own,” MacKenzie said. “And because it is in the center of Covington, the renovated building will help Shentel be constantly and conveniently available to our dedicated customers. The new office will also enable us to provide improved service to our customers in the region.” Shentel building before... ...and after renovation.

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