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By JENNIFER MOONSONG
Glasgow News 1
This advertorial is a form of advertising that offers both advertisers and readers an in-depth vantage point. To purchase an advertorial, contact Jennifer at 270-634-9034.
Beth and Mike Wagner have a penchant for historic, downtown spaces.
“We enjoy traveling, and we always visit the downtown districts wherever we go, the locally owned shops, buildings and boutiques,” Beth said. Mike, who has been connected to architecture since childhood, pays particular attention to the buildings they’ve found along the way.
Beth, having grown up in Glasgow, has fond memories of shopping sidewalk sales downtown and enjoying the stores that once graced the Glasgow Public Square. Mike, on the other hand, is a longtime transplant and has a keen interest in local architecture and history. These things combined have resulted in Simple Life Properties, tastefully restored, upscale short-term rental spaces in the thriving heart of Glasgow; and although Beth refers to the massive undertaking as a “wild hair,” there was nothing uncalculated or incomplete about the restoration.
“I love Glasgow, and the culture Glasgow had lost in its downtown is coming back to life. We wanted to be part of that and had an opportunity to buy these buildings and bring them as close to back to their original beauty as we could,” Beth said.
“The Plaid Peacock” would not be complete without a big, beautiful peacock painted by Mike’s artist mother.
Jennifer Moonsong
“We have loved seeing what others have done to revive the Square, and we wanted to be part of that positive change and thriving atmosphere,” Mike said.
The result of pairing dreaming with doing has been the creation of eight unique rental spaces, each with their own name, flare and flavor that reflects the hand-picked styles of each. One is a boutique. Two of the spaces are equipped as restaurants. One houses Local Roots, and the other is ready to rent. One of the spaces named Soiree on Plaza Way is a rentable venue for dinners, receptions, weddings and the like. The other four are high-class accommodations for people visiting the region.
Mike has been in charge of historic accuracy and functionality, while Beth has taken a hands-on approach to the decor and artistic flare of each space.
“We have been blessed and I believe we are supposed to be good stewards, and wanted to give something to Glasgow’s downtown,” Beth said.
The first was completed in early 2022 was “Balcony on Broadway” situated on the backside of the square on Broadway. The balcony, complete with cushy seating and a fire pit, overlooks The Plaza Theatre on Main Street. The exterior of Balcony on Broadway was inspired by two things; the original, brightly hued Broadway Printers Inc. sign and a bicycle.
The “Balcony on Broadway” was the first short-term overnight rental space to be completed by the Wagners. Much of the bright and modern decor was inspired the original Broadway Printers Inc. sign.
Jennifer Moonsong
“I like to find one item that inspires me and build my theme from that,” Beth said.
Balcony on Broadway can be described as bright, modern and whimsical. The splash of yellow and bicycle theme carried throughout offers guests a positive and cheery vibe for their stay.
The other units are located in a historic building on the Square’s east side.
The next one completed is the most traditional of the units, The Wilbur, named for a former owner. The decor is truly classic and homey, and Beth noted that when people came to stay at the Wilbur, they often stay longer than a few days.
“The Wilbur,” named for a former owner, is the most traditional of the spaces and offers homy decor.
Jennifer Moonsong
Next was the epitome of class and comfort. Copper and Elk, a large two story space with a rich, bold decor is best described as upscale southwestern. The inspiration pieces were an elk head from a hunt in New Mexico, and a copper hood passed down through the family. Together, along with rich rugs, baskets and bedding — the color scheme of copper and elk are reminiscent of a southwestern summer sunset. The until overlook the square from an arched window the was painstakingly restored to its original beauty.
“Copper & Elk” is a celebration of upscale southwestern vibes, made complete by earth and jewel tones, and natural elements.
Jennifer Moonsong
Last but not least, the Plaid Peacock was completed.
Bold and modern is the best description of the kitchen of “The Plaid Peacock.”
Jennifer Moonsong
“I found a bench at Stockdale’s and it grew from there,” Beth said. The most whimsical of the spaces, the Plaid Peacock, has bold jewel tones of turquoise, emerald and purple. Visitors can shower in a turquoise tile walk-in shower, or lounge in the modern kitchen within sight of a floor to ceiling painting of a peacock painted by Mike’s mother. For larger groups visiting the area, Copper and Elk and the Plaid Peacock connect for bigger group rentals. Throughout the unique spaces there are some continuous threads. Attention to detail and historic integrity prevail, with elements from the past, peeking out from every corner.
“People do not realize the charm that exists in all of these downtown buildings,” Mike said.
“When they built these three buildings Wells, Block and Meyers there was beautiful architecture,” he added. In addition to the fully refurbished building, the Wagners own the building next door, which is their next restoration project. They burned in May of 1900 and were rebuilt by October of 1900. They are distinct in their look because of the arched half circle windows.
Many different businesses have been located in the buildings since 1900s.
“One was a Jewish clothier for three decades, and FP Williams furniture store was in one side of the building and an undertaker was in other side,” Mike said. They’ve also housed a hardware store and in more recent years, The Little Black Dress.
The Wagners not only wanted to restore the buildings, but a sense of commerce, activity and prosperity around the Square, along with others who have worked diligently at bringing old buildings back to life.
“The Plaid Peacock” is a whimsical space that offers elegance to Glasgow visitors.
Jennifer Moonsong
“The photos from 1910s to 1940s this side of the Square was booming. The building where Awards is housed the first Houchens’ Grocery Store. Leech and David Drug Store was the most prominent druggist in town. The National Store was very popular. Those were all along this side of the square,” Mike said.
All of the spaces can now be rented at simplelifeproperties.net and can also be found on short term rental platforms such as airbnb.com
As for the future, ideas are already plentiful.
“In another building we plan to start working on this year, the original stain glass arch in there is 124 years old,” Mike said.
“We know that stained glass will play a role in the theme of whatever we create there,” Beth said.
Because you never know what you might unearth in the act of such an undertaking, there is not set timeline for its completion; only a dedication to beauty and history.
“We are trying to rebuild these right, there is a lot more behind the walls that people don’t see. It costs more to do it correctly, but we want them to toast another 120 or more years,” Mike said.
“We hope to see this grow and we hop to bring more people to Glasgow and the area t enjoy what we ave to offer,” Beth said.
To learn more, or to book a rental, visit simplelifeproperties.net
The “Copper & Elk” shower space is both modern and rustic.
Jennifer Moonsong
The “Copper & Elk” rental space was named for the vintage copper stove hood and an elk harvested in New Mexico.
Jennifer Moonsong
This advertorial is a form of advertising that offers both advertisers and readers an in-depth vantage point. To purchase an advertorial, contact Jennifer at 270-634-9034.
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