From 1885 to 1899, this site was home to St. Paul Methodist Church. In 1899, a fire destroyed the church, which moved to a new location on East Walnut Street. In 1905, the firm of Cullen, Schmook and Steward honored the church by registering the entire block a business district – The St. Paul Block. Blackwell House Furnishing Company purchased the property at 401 South Street and immediately began constructing the building as it stands today. The Heer Furniture and Carpet Company later moved into the building from which it operated a furniture division for Heer’s Department Store.
The Hermann-Brownlow Saddlery Company purchased the building in 1926 and operated first as a harness factory, then as an auto parts store. The building returned to its origins as a furniture store when purchased by Gilbert Furniture, which in 1982 sold to Wheeler’s Furniture.
This historic building underwent a major renovation in 2008. The second and third floors were converted into twelve loft apartments. The ground floor houses an urban market and wine store, deli and coffee shop.