For decades, the blue-tiled façade of the former Kaufman’s Department Store has been one of downtown Wheeling’s most recognizable sights. Some loved it. Some hated it. But almost everyone noticed it.
Now, after years sitting quiet on Main Street, the historic building is beginning to tell a new story.
Owned by Kat Timm and Brian Huggins since 2021/2022, the long-vacant structure recently became the center of renewed curiosity after strong winds ripped sections of the iconic blue panels from the building earlier this spring. What looked like a sudden transformation was actually years in the making.
“Mother Nature made that decision for us,” Huggins said with a laugh.
What’s Going on With the Building Now?
The panels, installed around 1959 as part of Kaufman’s modernization efforts, had been attached to wood backing that weakened over decades of water damage. Though the façade had previously been inspected and stabilized, winds reaching nearly 80 mph accelerated the need for removal to ensure public safety.
“The last thing we want is for someone to get injured from any part of that building,” Huggins said.
Since then, crews have removed the remaining panels entirely, revealing portions of the building’s earlier façade underneath and prompting a wave of questions from the community, eager to know what comes next for the longtime downtown landmark.
“We didn’t know how much of the original façade still existed behind the blue panels,” Timm said. “We were pleasantly surprised that a lot of it was still intact.”
The discovery has sparked fresh conversations about the building’s future and its complicated architectural legacy. Originally constructed in the 1860s, the property actually consists of three connected buildings that evolved over time. Historic Sanborn maps show how additional upper floors were added in the early twentieth century, eventually combining into the sprawling downtown department store many residents remember.
Today, walking through the upper floors feels almost maze-like. Hallways shift between building sections, ceiling heights change, and traces of different eras remain visible throughout the structure. “There’s so much history layered in there,” Timm said.
Preserving More Than the Building
That layered history is exactly what makes the Kaufman’s building so unique. Though the mid-century blue façade once caused the building to be excluded from the Wheeling Historic District, a 2023 update to the National Register nomination recognized its significance as part of downtown Wheeling’s postwar evolution.
“Love it or hate it, this visually fascinating storefront represents an important part of the city’s history,” Timm explained.
The couple understands the emotional attachment many Wheeling residents have to the building. Timm, whose background includes studio art, cultural anthropology, public art, and placemaking, has become especially interested in preserving the personal stories tied to the space.
May 31, 2009
They recently launched a Remembering Kaufman’s community form inviting residents to share memories of shopping trips, holiday displays, lunch counter visits, first jobs, and experiences connected to the building across generations.
“We know this place means a lot to people,” Timm said. “The stories are just as important as the building itself.”
For Huggins, who grew up in Wheeling before serving 12 years on active duty in the Air Force, investing in the property was always about creating something meaningful for the city’s future. “We wanted to have an impact downtown,” he said.
Cracking Open the Doors Again
For now, much of the work has focused on stabilization, cleanup, and protecting the building for the future while the owners continue exploring long-term possibilities for the space.
The vision, they say, centers broadly around creating a place that brings people together through arts, culture, entertainment, and community experiences while honoring the building’s historic character.
“It’s impossible to redo a building like this alone,” Huggins said.
In the meantime, the owners are beginning to slowly welcome the public back inside.
That process begins Memorial Day weekend with the , which will use the Kaufman’s building as part of this year’s programming. The activation marks one of the first public uses of the space in quite some time and offers a rare chance for residents to step back inside the historic structure.
The two-day festival, taking place May 23rd and 24th, celebrates the legacy of film noir, the influential cinematic style known for its gritty characters, shadowy visuals, and psychological tension that helped shape generations of filmmaking. Each featured film screening will include a guest presenter discussing themes, history, and cultural impact tied to the movie.
Organizers will also offer concessions throughout the event, with individual screenings priced at $12.
“It’s a great way to crack open the doors again,” Huggins said. “There’s so much love and curiosity surrounding this building. We want people to be part of that.”
Learn more about the festival at Wheeling Film Noir Festival and share your memories through the Remembering Kaufman’s community form.
