SACO — The showroom for Agren’s Appliance will be temporarily be relocated later this month to make way for renovations of the building.

Agren’s Appliance, a Maine-based chain with stores in Topsham, South Portland, Norway and Auburn;  purchased in February the former Vic’s Appliance, which had operated at 237 Main St. for more than 50 years.

Jason Agren, president of Agren Appliance, said the company plans to make some renovations to the building. 

He said the showroom was looking a bit “old and tired” and the renovations will create a more open layout that makes use of natural lighting and will create a better shopping experience. There will also be space for cooking demonstrations.

Renovations will begin Jan. 16. A temporary showroom will open up at 209 Main St. and the store will reopen at its permanent location Feb. 13.

The project will wrap up in April, and a grand reopening event is planned for that month.

Agren said the company is mindful of the historic significance of the building, which was built in 1824 by merchant Tristam Hooper. As the renovations are made, work will be done to retain and enhance some of the historic attributes of the building, including the display of a large wood wheel found on the third floor that was once part of a pulley system.

Dyer Library/Saco Museum Executive Director Leslie Rounds said she believes the building is one of the oldest buildings in the downtown.

She said she believes Hooper financially overextended himself financially with the purchase of the building as after he died two years later, his widow was selling items to help pay off a considerable amount of debt.

Rounds said the building has had a number of uses over the years, among them as a grocery store and a hardware store. “It is an amazing survivor and a glorious reminder of Saco’s vibrant mercantile background,” said Rounds.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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