A bright red "now leasing" sign on the building of a longtime Catonsville business is portending change along Frederick Road.
While the future of Plymouth Wallpaper Furnishing & Gifts at the Catonsville location is unclear, the large sign promoting available space has prompted questions in the community.
For now, Plymouth open for business, its president, Brian Casey, said Tuesday.
As the company analyzes the needs of the business, it's considering whether to move or close. No immediate shutdown is anticipated, he said.
"For the short run, you'll see the doors open every day you'll go by," he said.
The company is a fourth-generation, family owned business that has been around since 1895, according to its website. It previously had a second location in Cockeysville.
"We're testing the waters for alternatives to the real estate owned by the company," Casey said.
The Casey Group, a Towson-based financial services firm, is helping run the company, according to its secretary, Ruth Roberts.
Casey, who has been president of Plymouth since fall 2015, declined to comment on the nature of the corporate relationships.
Plymouth Wallpaper has been at 720 Frederick Road since the early 1980s, Casey said.
Casey declined to comment on the company's annual revenue and whether it's trending up or down.
Baltimore-based Harris Creek Holdings is seeking a tenant for the property. Its owner, Ryan Perlberg, said he's under contract with a trustee but declined to comment further until financial matters are settled.
Harris Creek Holdings development projects include Rye, a Fells Point bar which was named one of Esquire's 25 Best Bars in America in 2014, and Bookmakers Cocktail Club in Federal Hill.
If new business comes to the Frederick Road property, in the heart of downtown Catonsville, it could inject new life to the area.
"That would be major here in Catonsville," said Teal Cary, executive director of the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce. "That's a gem property we're just waiting to see what would happen with."
The 22,000-square-foot building was built in 1900, according to state property records. Two trustees are listed as current owners.