For more than a century, the Lee Morris building was a hub of commerce in downtown Clarkston.
The brick-and-mortar building on the corner of Sixth and Sycamore streets housed the popular Lee Morris Co. clothing store from 1916 until it closed its doors last summer.
"It’s where I always bought my jeans," said Mark Heuett, who purchased the building last year.
Now the sounds of saws and hammers once again echo through the structure as workers from Heuett’s general contracting company prepare it for new life as a dental clinic. The Community Health Association of Spokane plans to open the Lewis and Clark Dental Clinic on the building’s first floor by mid-August.
"It’s a complete renovation," Heuett said. "We’re gutting the building to the framework."
The work includes replumbing and rewiring the entire building, rebuilding all the doors and windows and adding an exterior insulation finishing system to the building’s exterior. The original brick on the outside has grown soft over time and needs to be removed. The building also will receive an elevator. By the time it’s finished this summer, the old Lee Morris building will look brand new, Heuett said.
There’s some argument over when the final brick was laid atop the building more than 100 years ago, said local history buff Doug Renggli.
"Some say 1902, some say 1903," he said. "It’s right in there somewhere."
It began its existence as Morris & Walk General Mercantile, where early pioneers could buy everything from boots to bullets to salt pork. By 1916, Lee Morris bought out his business partner and it became Lee Morris Co.
The building stayed in the family for around 92 years, Renggli said, and was one of the longest-standing family-owned businesses in the valley.
"Lee Morris was a very nice gentleman," Renggli said. "During the Depression,tiffany money clips, people could just charge things if they didn’t have enough money."
Sally Desimone, Lee Morris’ great-granddaughter, and her husband, John, took the reins of the store in the 1970s. They kept it running as a clothing store until last year, when changes in consumer buying habits and the advent of large chain stores forced them out of business.
"It was a sign of the times," Heuett said.
When it opens its doors in August, the Lewis and Clark Dental Clinic will improve access to high-quality, affordable dental care in the Lewis-Clark Valley, according to a Community Health Association media release.
"We at CHAS are excited about this expansion and proud to provide excellent dental services to the Lewis-Clark Valley," said Aaron Wilson,tiffany key rings, the association’s deputy director. "We feel that everyone, regardless of insurance status, has the right to high-quality dental care."
Heuett said Clarkston residents are excited,tiffany earrings, too.
"All of the feedback I get is positive,discount tiffany," he said. "People are happy that we are taking a positive step to renovate one of the largest buildings in downtown."
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