DU QUOIN - A Du Quoin factory building that once employed hundreds of people may soon have a new life.

Elkville businessman Carl Hagler is purchasing the former Bridal Originals building on U.S. 51 South in Du Quoin, more than three years after the clothing manufacturing company closed its doors.

Hagler said at this point he is "not sure" what will be done with the 33,576-square-foot building constructed in 1956. "I've got some different things in mind."

He said he's considering a variety of options, including creating a mini-mall or finding a small factory or large retail store to occupy the building.

"I'm looking at anything where it would create some revenue and jobs for the community, bring people in," Hagler said this week. He said he'll close the deal with S.A.S.I. Corp. of Collinsville for the purchase of the building next Tuesday.

Hagler said he considers the building a good investment, particularly considering that it was initially listed with a sale price of $239,000 but he's purchasing it for just over $60,000.

Hagler's H & M Rentals business already owns houses, mobile homes, a small mobile home park and a few commercial properties, and he said he believes the vacant Du Quoin factory building is a good addition.

He said he began checking on the building after seeing a local media article about the vacant Bridal Originals and Turco Manufacturing buildings. Du Quoin Economic Developer Dr. Jack Struck has been working to find buyers for both buildings and was quite pleased this week about Hagler's purchase. Struck said the factory building is in very good condition.

Hagler said he's not going to rush into a decision regarding the building's future but is weighing all options to see what would work best not only for him but for the community.

"I'm going to do something, said Hagler, former owner of H & M Furniture.

mathis5@hcis.net

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