Residents and Leaders of Blythewood,

Having grown up right here in Blythewood, I’ve always had a real soft spot for our town’s special charm and the history that’s part of every street and corner, the sort of place that feels like home no matter how long you’re away.

I left as a young man chasing opportunities elsewhere, but now, coming back to the town that shaped me feels like closing that circle you hear about in those old country songs, where everything comes around again.

When I bought this old historic building on 300 Main Street, I was dead set on fixing it up properly, maybe even shining it up nicer than before, to keep alive that piece of our community we all hold dear. With my background in renovations for homes and businesses, I was excited to bring some of that back to the town that raised me.

But after closing the deal, we started digging in and found a heap of hidden damage that made the full restoration a lot tougher and costlier than we reckoned, which has us thinking about tearing it down as the hard but sensible choice.

Even so, I’d much rather find a way to save it, so we’ve talked with the Town of Blythewood about adding a drive-through coffee shop. That’d let us make it into a renovation store with a little coffee spot, helping pay for the extra work to preserve it through some new income while keeping the building standing strong. It might even help smooth out that heavy morning traffic on Langford Road by giving folks a handy place to stop.

I truly understand how y’all feel about this building. Please know that I feel the same way. The history of my hometown means the world to me too—and I’m hoping we can put our heads together on a fix that keeps the heart of Blythewood beating just right.

Matthew Graham, co-owner
Palmetto Renovations