Edwardsville residents protest planned demolition of historic storefronts

BY WILL BUSS - News-Democrat



About 50 people took to Main Street in downtown Edwardsville Friday afternoon to protest a planned demolition of two of historic storefronts.



They fear the owners of six buildings at 128, 128 1/2, 130A, 130B and 130C Main St. have plans to clear that space for new office buildings. Protesters were carrying signs and some were dressed in white shirts and ties.



"To show we don't want nothing but office buildings downtown," said Lisa Mainer, who owns a retail boutique in one of the endangered buildings.





Mainer's former business partner, Christina Schutze, said that two of the buildings are 100 years old. She said the buildings currently house The Bing Shop, which has been there for seven years, and the Muslim Center.



The building owners could not be reached for comment.