Renovated historic building in downtown Demopolis to house bank, apartments

The Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting Tuesday evening to celebrate the renovation of a historic downtown building that will soon house a bank and two new apartments.

The building at 124 N. Strawberry Street was redeveloped by Demopolis attorney William Coplin, who opened the space to chamber members and the public during an after-hours event so they could tour the finished project.

The restored building has served many purposes over the decades, including a florist shop, a dry goods store and even an indoor basketball court.

The first floor will soon become the new home of Merchant & Farmers Bank, which is expanding from its current location across the street. The bank will use the renovated ground floor to welcome customers and house offices.

Coplin said he enjoys breathing new life into historic properties in downtown Demopolis. Several years ago, he renovated the city’s former silent movie theater across the street that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That building now serves as his law office.

The Strawberry Street project will not be Coplin’s last downtown renovation. Work has already begun on the historic building next door, which he plans to convert into four apartments.

Coplin said he owned the properties for some time before beginning renovations because the “time wasn’t right.” But with several large construction projects bringing workers to the area, he said the timing has finally aligned.

Those projects include the development of the Alabama School for Healthcare Sciences behind Whitfield Regional Hospital and construction of the West Alabama Highway along U.S. Highway 80 and Alabama Highway 69.

Coplin said downtown Demopolis is an ideal location for apartment living.

“You've got lawyers. You've got doctors' offices. You've got businesses. You've got banks, accountants' offices, dentist's offices,” Coplin said. “City Hall is here. You've got a public square one block from here. So you've got everything that you need. You don't have to get in a car to go somewhere.”

Demopolis Mayor Woody Collins said during the ribbon cutting that the redevelopment effort downtown is continuing to gain momentum.

About 14 downtown buildings have recently been purchased and could be next for renovation, Collins said.

“I walk up and down the streets with my mouth hanging open,” Collins said. “What we've done in the last four or five years, I don't think anybody ever could have dreamed this.”