The Argie Cooper Building in Shelbyville has been a fixture for more than a century -- first as a post office, then a library. But now, the landmark takes on a new role in the community that could help transform downtown.
The Shelbyville public library moved out of the old Argie Cooper building last year, and it has sat vacant ever since, until last week, when David Armbruster of Ohio bought it.
Earlier this year his family was visiting their daughter who attends Belmont, when they stumbled upon the town, and he later decided to purchase the building.
He says there aren't any final plans for what will go in the building, but he hopes to open it to some shops and boutiques to compliment the downtown square.
“This will just be a natural progression of what's going on,” said Rita Allen, the current library director. “The square is such a vibrant part of Shelbyville and Bedford county, and having something more, just makes it more attractive and more appealing to different people.”
The owner says he plans to have the building open by next spring.
