Mike Johnson had big plans to transform and bring to life long-vacant downtown Orangeburg buildings through the development of retail, dining and living outlets.

He purchased the former Sifly Furniture building on the corner of Russell and Church streets about two years ago with plans to convert the two-story, 28,000-square-foot building into a banquet hall and restaurant.

In addition to the Sifly building, Johnson also had plans to transform the former Orangeburg Fish Market across the street from the Department of Public Utilities into either another restaurant and speciality shop outlet or a butcher shop/fish market/vegetable market.

And if that was not enough, he had plans to construct an eight-unit, three-story condominium behind the building with ground level, garage-style parking.

But as 2007 nears an end, the buildings remain vacant and Johnson has since climbed the corporate ladder, becoming the chief executive officer of Cox Wood. He now finds himself on the road more often than not and, with more responsibilities and less time to dedicate to downtown development, he has sought individuals willing to invest in the buildings.

But thus far, there have been no takers.

"The investors that have contacted me are interested in buying multiple buildings, so I am waiting to see if they can negotiate with a few other owners downtown," Johnson said. "Although I am still considering projects, I do still have limited time."

Johnson, the founder of the Russell Street 1058 Grille, sold the restaurant to Chris Sullivan about seven months ago. Sullivan says the business has been doing well.

Seafood has been added to the menu and there is karaoke on Wednesday nights and live bands on Friday nights.

Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association Executive Director Bernice Tribble, who has often touted the importance of bringing retail and dining outlets downtown, said she remains optimistic that somebody will step up the plate.

The Sifly building "is a huge building," Tribble said. She said she has received some inquiries about the building and has passed those along to Johnson.

Johnson hoped to renovate the building last year. Plans called for upscale banquet facilities upstairs and two smaller multipurpose rooms were to be used for civic groups and wedding receptions. He planned to place a "small eatery/deli," or even rental space, downstairs.

The entire project was designed to preserve and salvage the building's decor, ambiance and history. The front portion of the building dates to around 1916, with the rear built around 1940. The building was once a furniture manufacturing facility.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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