One Owner Just Listed Four High-Profile Downtown E.C. Buildings For Sale
all but one of the commercial buildings is vacant, could present 'a variety of opportunities' for entrepreneurs or redevelopment
Another development in downtown Eau Claire quietly occurred yesterday, Oct. 15, as Elite Realty Group listed or re-listed four commercial properties within a half-mile stretch in the heart of downtown.
Each of those properties – stretching from Eau Claire to Wisconsin Streets – is owned by Mohammad Al-Hashlamoun (or his business, Azara Properties LLC).
Perhaps best known as the owner of the west-central Wisconsin smoke-shop retail chain, Azara, he was unavailable for comment as of this article's publication.
Of the four properties, Al-Hashlamoun has owned the State Theatre longest, since 2019. It has come on and off the market over the past few years and was listed again around January this year, with a price-tag of $1.95 million. That dollar amount has been slashed down to $550,000, per its current listing.
Notably, (Community Development Director) Aaron White said the listing of these four properties is unrelated to “current downtown conditions.”
The popular Leona's Pizzeria, housed at 406 Galloway St., is not closing due to the building's up-for-sale status. While the property itself – listed at $849,900 – may have a new owner in the future, the locally-owned pizza joint still has another two-and-a-half years on its current lease.
Notably, that Galloway Street property has the largest price-tag of the bunch.
While the 423 Wisconsin St. property, listed for $350,000, may be recognizable as the former longtime location of the Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association (ECAHMAA), it’s had a slew of tenants since Al-Hashlamoun became its owner in 2022. Currently, it’s vacant – and in need of some TLC – and located on a highly-visible corner in the North Barstow District area.
The 8 S. Farwell St. property, located across from the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library and just around the corner from the State Theatre, is listed for $800,000. Al-Hashlamoun purchased that site in 2022, per tax documents, but hasn’t had a public-facing tenant since Hope Gospel Mission moved its men’s shelter out in 2019.
The City of Eau Claire's community development director, Aaron White, said his office has been in contact with the property owners and interested parties.
Notably, White said the listing of these four properties is unrelated to “current downtown conditions.”
Al-Hashlamoun is also selling the former Associated Bank building at 2812 Mall Dr., Eau Claire, as well as an Elk Mound property.
The Eau Claire Community Development office’s role in discussions like these is to answer questions related to use and permitting, point them toward both relevant resources and “to help promote the spaces as new options for business,” White said.
“When ownership changes for properties like this, it does provide a variety of opportunities,” he said. “Tenants may have an opportunity purchase their build and become owners, new business start-ups or existing business expansions may find a home in existing spaces, or the sites may become redevelop opportunities for buildings that are in poor condition or prime for a change use.”
More information about these property listings and others can be viewed on Elite Realty Group's website.
