Owners of renovated former Antioch Lumber Company building honored by Chamber as Community Champions

Business and community leaders gather for the Community Champions award ceremony at the old Antioch Lumber Company building in downtown Antioch on Thursday, September 3, 2015.

Business and community leaders gather for the Community Champions award ceremony at the old Antioch Lumber Company building in downtown Antioch on Thursday, September 3, 2015.

By Allen Payton

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce honored Rodney and Ursula Lal, owners of Prime Vintage Realty, with one of their Community Champions awards, during a brief ceremony on Thursday morning, for their purchase and renovation of the old Antioch Lumber Company building in downtown.

Chamber CEO Dr. Sean Wright said the award was bestowed for “the work that Rodney and Ursula Lal have put into this building and downtown.”

Chamber CEO Dr. Sean Wright (center right) Devon, Ursula, with Rodney (with plaque), and Nicole Lal.

Chamber CEO Dr. Sean Wright (center right) with Devon, Ursula, Rodney (with plaque), and Nicole Lal.

Local officials were also on hand for the ceremony.

Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock spoke on behalf of the city.

Thank you to Prime Vintage Realty for opening up, here,” she said. “This has been a historical area for a long time here. I expect to hear some success stories coming out of this building.”

The process was slow,” Wright explained. “It took a long time. There was not only a lot of time and money, but love and dedication that has gone into this building.

Thank you for improving downtown and for your time, dedication and service to Antioch,” he added.

Rodney Lal then offered his appreciation for the award.

Thank you on behalf of my family, Ursula, [son] Devin and [daughter] Nicole and awarding me this community champion. This is a great award. But the reason we bought this building…is from love.

Kelly O'Brien speaks about her great uncle Hank Beede, before Rodney and Ursula Lal cut the cake O'Brien provided.

Kelly O’Brien (right) a cousin of Hank Beede, speaks before Rodney and Ursula Lal cut the cake in the shape of the building, that she provided.

The reason I got into real estate was to buy buildings and improve them,” he continued. “It’s unique. It’s built with tender loving care. It’s just so beautiful. You haven’t seen the best, yet. Our city will prosper. You will see this building prosper. You will see people drive by here. The river has so much to offer. My goal is to beautify this city. I just love it. Thank you.”

The late Henry “Hank” F. Beede, the last owner of the Antioch Lumber Company and building, passed away in 2010. In attendance at the ceremony was his widow, Leora Beede and their daughter Priscilla Fremering, who assisted in the sale of the building to the Lals.

Fremering stated the building was built in the 1860’s.

Kelly O’Brien the great, great granddaughter of Henry F. Beede and cousin to Hank Beede, provided the cake in the shape of the building.

Curt Holzer, who has had an insurance office in downtown since 1995, shared a little history.

It was the oldest operating business in the county,” he stated. “I used to insure this building when Hank was in it. I asked him, ‘when will you stop coming down here?’ He said ‘The day I die.’”

It’s definitely cleaned up the entrance to downtown,” Holzer added.

The Lals invested approximately $500,000 to improve the building, including shoring up the foundation, which was sloping toward the river.

I guarantee you this building will last another 100 years, the way we built it,” Rodney stated.

This is the third Community Champions award presented to an Antioch business, including Mike’s Auto Body and Mountain Mike’s Pizza, earlier this year since the Chamber instituted the recognition program.


the attachments to this post:


Kelly O’Brien, Lals and cake


The Lals and Dr. Sean Wright


Antioch Chamber Community Champions award for Lals


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