A long-standing building in Bridgewater is about to meet the chopping block.
The property at 686 King Street, formerly known as Sagor’s Bookstore, is expected to be demolished by the end of the month.
The town has issued a demolition order and has given the property owner 30 days to comply.
Mayor David Mitchell says it’s sad to see.
“Whenever a building gets into disrepair and that one is starting to get dangerous and starting to sag, although it’s sad it’s better for the community that it comes down.”
The town first contacted the property owner last July to repair and maintain the building but no work was completed.
Town inspectors were on scene last month and noticed the building’s roof had been leaking and had water running through it.
The second floor was also sagging after structural support was removed.
Property owner Earl Conrad says he’s relieved there is an end in sight for the structure.
Sagor’s Bookstore was the oldest bookstore in the Maritimes before it closed in 2011.
The building is over 100 years-old.
Conrad says the building was tampered with in 1927.
“The building was built onto and the roof was raised and none of it was done properly. It created issues with the building that just couldn’t be resolved.”
Conrad says he’s tried to have the building demolished for three years but companies aren’t keen to do that kind of work on King Street.
But, he’s confident he can find someone to do the work in the next two weeks.
