NEWS

Kim Hankins and Michael Fournier are the owners of Knotty & Board. (Bill Giduz photo)

Pencil in “Knotty & Board—Grand Opening” for October 22, at 265 S. Main Street, Davidson. Kim Hankins and Michael Fournier have spent countless hours refurbishing what is known as the Archie Brown house, built in 1901. Most recently, it was the home of Carolyn and Tom Noell.

Construction superintendent Trevor Hinson has had his hands full with the extensive renovations to the future home of Knotty & Board. (Bill Giduz photo)

Older houses bring charm, but during renovation, they can bring surprises. Kim and Michael have had several delays due to such surprises. They knew they would need to comply with requirements set forth by the American Disabilities Act—adding a ramp, widening doors, and installing grab bars in the new first-floor bathroom.

But they did not expect needing to reinforce the whole house to meet requirements for a commercial building. In the crawl space, their construction team added piers to strengthen the first floor. Next, the walls and first-floor ceiling needed to be reinforced. Although first told that they didn’t need a fire suppression system, they later learned they did. So, a new water line had to be run before the sprinkler system could be installed. All major improvements are complete.

Now, on to décor!

The house has ten fireplaces, none functional, but they add charm to the house. Kim and Michael have applied for a wine and beer license so visitors can “sip and shop.” A few tables with chairs will be on the front porch so customers have a place to relax. Knotty & Board may also be a nice stop for appetizers and a beverage before going on to dinner elsewhere.

The kitchen in the historic 1901 house. (Bill Giduz photo)

Rooms will have themes. The kitchen, for example, will showcase charcuterie items as well as beer and wine glasses. The dining room will have furniture, serving pieces, and linens. Other rooms will have jewelry and small gifts, pots and greenery, candles, pillows, and throws, bedding, and beds. One room will have a leather sectional sofa, a bar, and TV, where customers can try out furniture while they watch sports. (Michael, a Naval Academy graduate, does not want to miss any of Navy’s football games!) An upstairs room will be the Design Center, where shoppers can order custom furniture, wallpaper, rugs, and art.

Since the owners will still have the lease for their current site in Cornelius, they plan to use that space as a marketing area for local vendors.

The Town of Davidson is providing two dedicated parking spaces on Main Street just across from Knotty & Board, and there is a small parking lot behind the building. The tentative date for the Grand Opening is Saturday, October 22. Plan to be there!