Major Change Coming to the Corner of 27 Road and Highway 50 in Orchard Mesa

What's happening to the old business plaza on the corner of 27 Road and Highway 50 in Orchard Mesa? The businesses are all closed, weeds are taking over, and there's a City of Grand Junction Land Development sign in the parking lot.

You've probably seen it a million times, the old brown building on the corner. Over the years it's been home to insurance offices, a smoking accessories store, and an infamous bar. What's does its future hold?

Upon seeing the sign in the parking lot, I placed a call. It seems this isn't just a simple remodel. A major change is at hand.

According to the City of Grand Junction representative, an application has been submitted requesting the demolition of this multi-unit building. In its place, a new 7,225 square foot store. Who's moving in? Apparently, the applicant is O'Reilly Auto Parts.

Imagine that, another auto parts store in Grand Junction. Oddly, an AutoZone opened a few years ago barely a half-mile east on Highway 50.

Looking back over the years, I've spent some quality time in the old brown building on the corner. I will hate to see it go. For a number of years, too many in fact, I played in the house band at the old Branding Iron Lounge. The Branding Iron was one of "those" bars - they checked you at the door for weapons...if you didn't have one, they would give you one.

The bar was located on the south side of the building. The architecture of the plaza is really unique. It's pretty much a bi-level structure. You would go down a half flight of stairs to go in the Branding Iron. Once inside, the ceiling couldn't have been more than seven feet. A tall person could barely stand up.

Well, by my calculations, a new auto parts store means jobs. Not only that, but as an Orchard Mesa resident, I enjoy seeing the area cleaned up. The Maverick store on the opposite corner really spruced up the neighborhood.

So long, Landmark Building. Even though I drive by you at least twice a day, until now, I had no idea that is what you are called. It will be nice to see what develops on this corner in the near future.