Wiedy's in Middletown Demolished

Credit: Storm Sasaki/Johnstons Subaru

A long-vacant building in Middletown that once housed Wiedy's Furniture Store was demolished Tuesday.

The Dolson Avenue property was purchased in August 2015 by Johnstons Subaru and will eventually be the dealership's new home, owner Steve Jardine said.

"The city's been hoping someone would buy it," Jardine said of the former Wiedy's location. "It closed going on nine years and the building's been an eyesore for everyone in town."

During the recession, a 51,000-square-foot property wasn't appealing to many businesses, he noted.

The timing proved fortuitous last year when the owners of the Wiedy's property approached Jardine about Johnstons taking on the property

"It was right across the street and in today’s day and age, the pricing was very reasonable," Jardine said.

With the demolition of the former building nearly complete, Johnstons can focus on getting the necessary approvals from the city for construction of a new 45,000-square-foot building.

Jardine estimates the new building should be complete within two years. Johnstones Subaru will then move across the street to its expanded, new digs.