A piece of history on Pendleton Street is slated for redevelopment in the growing Village of West Greenville.

The Mutual Home Store of Greenville property at 1256 Pendleton St. and two additional storefronts across the street at 1259 and 1261, totaling approximately 16,000 square feet, are under contract.

Approximately 10,000 square feet are under contract with Branwood Properties LLC, and the additional properties are under contract with a local marketing firm.

Branwood Properties is a group whose members are entities owned by attorney Jo Watson Hackl, independent real estate professional Cliff Carden, and UBJ publisher Ryan Johnston.

Plans currently include five to six separate storefronts on the westbound side of Pendleton that could be outfitted for retail and restaurants. Tenants could move in as early as July. On the eastbound side, 5,000 square feet will be renovated as office space for the marketing firm.

These projects in the Village of West Greenville benefit from the City of Greenville’s Façade Improvement Program. The program provides for a one-time reimbursement for eligible façade improvements, including exterior building improvements, signage, lighting, and landscaping. Pace Jewelers, Community Journals, Textile Hall, The Anchorage, and others are program beneficiaries in the area.

“The Mutual Home Store of Greenville has been a vital part of the Village of West Greenville for many years, and the vision and leadership of its owners has resulted in access to jobs and quality products to community residents,” said Hackl, who sits on the board of Greenville Center for Creative Arts, which is located in the Village. “We are enthusiastic about the potential of the project to help spur even more investment and jobs in our community, and we look forward to more great things ahead for the Village.”

Johnston, owner of several nearby properties, said he believes the new space will provide opportunities for those looking for a way to be a part of the energy and entrepreneurial spirit in the Village.

Hayne Griffin Jr., 69, and his family have owned Mutual Home Store since his father founded it following World War II. Originally named The Peerless Mart from 1944-67, the one storefront grew to include neighboring buildings, two of which were Shoeless Joe Jackson’s former liquor store space and a theater where the marquee remains.

“As children we went to West Greenville on the weekends, like a Friday or Saturday night, and would play hide-and-go-seek in the stores,” Griffin said.

Mutual Home Store eventually spread to five other Upstate locations — Easley, Fountain Inn, Greer, Liberty, and Mauldin.

The Village of West Greenville store catered to mill workers. With the 2008 recession, the business was hit hard. Around that time, local artists started to move into studio spaces in the Village, where space was more affordable than downtown, changing the business dynamic.

Noting the changes, the Griffin family decided it was time to liquidate the businesses. Griffin said he believes the plans for redevelopment reflect continued positive changes.

“Another contributing factor was all of the growth in arts and boutiques was not a good fit for us,” Griffin said. “It’s good for West Greenville.”