HandCraft Cleaners to vacate Scott’s Addition headquarters

Redevelopment ideas range from a bowling alley to an exotic car garage and everything in between.

July 7, 2014; 12:31 PM • by Trevor Dickerson

HandCraft Cleaners plans to vacate its huge 80,000 square foot dry-cleaning operation in Scott’s Addition next summer, according to a report from Richmond BizSense.

The building, built by Binswagner Glass in 1946, features a unique glass and concrete façade and is already attracting the attention of developers, who have proposed turning the space into lofts, much like many of the nearby neighborhood buildings.

Co-owner Jay Nichols isn’t having it, though, citing the need for something more unique. “We will continue to own it, and we’d like to see some type of amenities for the neighborhood,” Nichols told BizSense reporter Burl Rolett. “Everybody wants to turn [the building] into lofts. But we’re not going to put apartments in here.”

Among the ideas for the space that have been kicked around so far are a bowling alley, exotic car garage, and a co-op brewing space, where small local brewers could share resources and space to get their fledgling operations off the ground.