As a young businessman, Curt Goracke saw the value of preserving a downtown landmark.
Now, the owner of Touch of Class Hair Studio will sell the former Empress Theater to The Digg Site Productions, which is planning a $2.4 million renovation/restoration project for the Main Street building.
Goracke started Touch of Class in 1977.
About 7 ½ years later, Goracke opted to relocate from a rented space to a building he would own.
Two buildings were available at that time, he said.
One was the Empress Theater at $48,500 and the other was a jewelry store on Main Street. Goracke said that building was for sale for $54,000.