NEWS

Investing in Preservation

The owners of Lynn’s Pharmacy in Brazil hope rehabilitation of their historic properties will inspire others in the community to follow suit.

Lynn's Pharmacy, Brazil, Indiana

Family Business

The Hostetler family has owned and operated Lynn’s Pharmacy on U.S. 40 in Brazil since 1970. Self-described as “a modern pharmacy with old-fashioned values and personal service,” the business is popular among locals, and its vintage soda fountain attracts visitors traveling along National Road.

Late last year, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs awarded the business an $87,500 grant from its Historic Renovation Grants program to fund exterior rehab of the 1887 commercial building. The Hostetlers have plans for a broader project they hope will spark even more local preservation.

“Our work on the building would have progressed in stages over time, but the grant is allowing us to tackle everything at once, which will have greater impact on the community,” says Robert Hostetler, son of owner and head pharmacist Lynn Hostetler. The work includes new historically appropriate windows in a number of openings, repointed exterior masonry, and a new roof. Before exterior work begins, some interior renovations are already underway.

The Hostetlers were already committed to a substantial investment in their impressive Romanesque Revival commercial building, but the state grant frees up private funds that they now plan to use for rehabilitation of an adjacent building. The greatest transformation will be construction of a new historically inspired façade to replace the original, removed long before the Hostetlers acquired the building.

The Hostetlers took advantage of membership in Indiana Landmarks to ask our advice on their plans for restoration. Staff from our Western Regional Office offered technical advice and pointed them toward the OCRA grant program for funding. “Had it not been for Indiana Landmarks, we would have never known about the grant,” says Robert. “Our relationship has certainly gone beyond mere membership.”

Learn more about Lynn’s Pharmacy at www.lynnspharmacy.com.

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