CEDC purchases former steakhouse building

The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation has purchased the former Clarendon Steakhouse building at the corner of US 287 and Kearney Street.

CEDC Executive Director Jack King said the deal was closed last week for a final price just over $30,000.

“It is not our intent to keep the building but rather to attract a business to go in there,” King said, noting the CEDC hopes to work with someone on a lease-purchase agreement.

The CEDC Board approved purchasing the building in October and this month approved a proposal from J. Ferg Roofing to replace the roof of the building for $34,820.

“We’re going to put a new roof on it to prevent any structural damage,” King said. “Then our intent would be to work with Texas Tech University to put the front back to something in keeping with the historic look of downtown.”

Earlier this month the CEDC contracted with the Texas Tech College of Architecture to perform digital scans of Clarendon’s central business district as the first step in creating a master plan for downtown.

King said he has conducted interviews with people potentially interested in placing a business at the location but no deal has been formally proposed or finalized.

“This location should not just be considered as a possible restaurant,” King said. “Any type of business could be located there.”

Mary and Bubba Ford family operated the Clarendon Steakhouse in the building for about 15 years. Before that, the Clifford family had a grocery store in the location for several decades.

King said this project is being funded by Clarendon’s half-cent economic development sales tax.

For more information or to inquire about the property, contact King in the Clarendon Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.