Energy efficient apartments, new flooring store in a familiar location earn Jackson chambers Brick Award – MLive.com

JACKSON, MI - A new energy efficient apartment building and an old building being given a second chance are award winners in Jackson.

The 200, built by Jackson Downtown Partners, and Christoff & Sons Floor Covering Inc., which renovated the former Toy House & Baby Too, are winners of the 2020 Brick Award from the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. The award goes to businesses who substantially upgrade a building or create a new building from the ground up.

Chamber of Commerce honors Jackson businesses in annual community awards

Jackson Downtown Partners spent around $12 million to build The 200, a building with four floors and 86 units 200 N. Jackson St.

Thanks go to Consumer Energy, and Consumer Energys green energy initiative, said Kevin Thomson, resident agent. It has been very influential in the development that has come together.

Energy efficient apartment building in Jackson eyes December opening date

The 200 is part of Consumers Energys Jackson Smart Energy District, an area of downtown with entities featuring green technology. The 200 features a 130-kilowatt solar array on its roof, with 362 panels estimated to produce 150,000 kilowatts per hour in a year.

The 200 opened Dec. 1, and is a mixture of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Amenities include a fitness center, community lounge space, granite countertops, in-unit washer and dryers, sound reduction methods between apartments and allowances for pets.

Ted and Tom Christoff were given the award for transforming the iconic Toy House and Baby Too, 400 N. Mechanic St., into their new business location in December 2019

The Toy House and Baby Too, 400 N. Mechanic St. in Jackson, announced on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016 that they will be closing. The tentative close date is slated for late December. (J. Scott Park | Mlive.com) MLive Media GroupMLive Media Group

The Christoffs bought the building for $400,000, per city records, and invested well over $1 million in the project.

Historic Toy House building reopens with different kind of retail experience

They preserved the history of the much-loved former toy store while creating a new and store for their flooring business, Ted Christoff said during the virtual award ceremony. The new store provides more space as the Christoffs continue to expand their business from their previous location of 6,000 square feet to a 30,000-square-foot location.

The exterior of Christoff and Sons Floor Covering Inc. at 400 N. Mechanic Street on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. Christoff and Sons Floor Covering Inc. opened in the former Toy House and Baby Too toy store. Mary Lewandowski| MLive.com

Christoff & Sons opened in 1979 and offers flooring and remodeling services, such as ceramic tile, carpets, vinyl, hardwood and upholstery. The business has had clients as big as factories, banks and hospitals, and as small as bathroom renovations or cleaning a couch in someones house.

Christoff & Sons celebrates 40 years in Jackson, moves to new location

Almost 100 percent of the work on both of these projects was done by locally based companies, officials said.

Using local contractors is not only good for the economy and your business, it is good for the community, Christoff said. It brings a sense of pride to the community.

The award presentation can be watched here.

Read more from The Jackson Citizen Patriot:

He pushed through COVID-19 to keep his Jackson business running, now hes earned a chamber award

Jackson County focusing COVID vaccination efforts on seniors, essential workers

Jackson officials tight-lipped on department heads departure

Appointed officials receive high marks on first formal evaluations in Jackson

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Energy efficient apartments, new flooring store in a familiar location earn Jackson chambers Brick Award - MLive.com