Steve Andrews of the Andrews Real Estate Team has an infectious smile, and he must have a sense of humor, too, for he's creating a new concept out of an old building.
It's going to be a shared office space facility to be called, "The Red Door," and it's in the middle of the first block off courthouse square in Linden.
Already the facility has a striking business front with its name in big red letters and art drawings, first, of a business environment such as Andrews Read Estate, and, second, of a music venue which is Linden with its Music City Texas capability.
The Andrews team is from Pickton, Texas. That's between Mt. Vernon and Sulphur Springs.
"Our background is this," Andrews begins. "We bought this building in February in hopes of having a title company here, but then the market showed down. We tried to lease but that didn't quite meet the income needed.
"And so we thought. Maybe others would have an interest in office space, perhaps a community room, a place to meet such as your Lions Club. Maybe a place to get started or expand. Temporary or flexible. We could build it out with a commercial, artistic look."
But Andrews said what he also needed was an overall name or concept. Something to bring things together. That's when he received an unknown call.
"We see your red door," the caller said. "We wondered what this is going to be. We need some space."
"Red Door? People notice that door? That's the key," Andrews said
And so the name went on the outside of the building while the remodeling work got started on the inside.
All that's left now will be ideas for developing the inside and an environment that's comfortable and exceptional in look and feel.
'We are so excited to have Red Door," said City Manager Lee Elliott. "They can be a place to host start ups. A place to incubate new ideas. Such space has been so needed around our downtown. We've had many inquiries of people and businesses that want to come here."
"What if college students should need a place to work, twenty-four seven? Maybe the school district might need something for students temporarily," Andrews said.
And this is how Linden's Red Door facility was born. For days now, work has been going on with Andrews and his son Landynn working together to conceive and build an idea.
Maybe this is the reason Steve Andrews is smiling. The Red Door may soon have a red and green Christmas scene in its window.
The size, spaciousness and attractiveness of The Red Door public room is shown as Linden City Manager Lee Elliott talks with owner Steve Andrews. (Photo by Neil Abeles)
Steve Andrews pauses a moment as he works on the front and the interior of The Red Door office facility on West Houston St. in Linden. Steve is in partnership with his son Landynn. (Photo by Neil Abeles)
The striking storefront banner of The Red Door office building is enhanced with an artist’s depiction of a music scene which could be Music City Texas and an office interior which could be the Andrews Real Estate Team company. (Photo by Neil Abeles)
The light fixtures in The Red Door shared office space building on West Houston Street are exceptional as is the treatment of the walls with exposed brick. Lee Elliott and Steve Andrews are looking. (Photo by Neil Abeles)
Standing in the fashionable meeting place of The Red Door’s community meeting and reception room are owner Save Andrews, left, and Linden City Manager Lee Elliott. (Photo by Neil Abeles)