WOODSFIELD — A Woodsfield couple recently purchased the former Pat’s Gift Shoppe with plans to renovate and rent out the spaces to a variety of local businesses.

Earlier this month, Carrie Christman and husband, Trevor Friday, purchased the approximately 5,000-square-foot building. Both Christman and Brown were born and raised in the village and wanted to lay down some permanent roots. Although Brown has been a lifelong village resident, Christman just recently moved back to the area after traveling around for work for the past 20 years.

Christman said they wanted to do something to benefit the community they are so fond of, which led to the purchase of the building.

“We are really community oriented. We wanted to do something that benefited our families, the community and be able to give back to the community. This is where our roots are. This area is important to us, not just Woodfield, but the whole county,” Christman said.

The couple purchased the building from longtime family friend and former owner Michael Stoffel. He operated Pat’s Gift Shoppe for more than 30 years before closing its doors. Christman said the building was the perfect fit for what the couple envisions.

“We’re just so excited about the possibilities of the building,” she said, noting they plan to restore the exterior of the building and do some updating on the interior. “There’s a lot of work that needs done there.”

The exterior has a lot of character that the couple wants to remain intact, so they plan to restore it back to its former glory, Chirstman said.

Once the renovations are complete, they will rent the building out to interested local businesses. There are four sections to the building, including a connected house.

On Friday, an independent insurance salesman for Erie Insurance will move his office into the house portion. The remaining three sections, including the location Pat’s Gift Shoppe occupied, will be updated and rented out to three or four undisclosed businesses.

“We’re looking at having multiple businesses move in there. We have quite a few ideas of what those other businesses will be in the other sections, but nothing right now is set in stone. Our main focus is getting the entire building ready to rent out.”

Christman said they have a few interested businesses that have inquired about the spaces; however, nothing is definite yet. She said they are looking for potential renters interested in signing long-term leases — businesses that plan to remain in the area for years. Christman said they want residents to know they are listening and taking into consideration which businesses the community would like to see move in.

Christman said they are also working to expand the building’s parking, as space is somewhat limited. She said they will not be tearing any of the building down, but they are working on some adjustments to accommodate additional parking.

The couple plans to provide financial community support by donating funds to area schools and local organizations once the building is established and rented out.

Christman said the goal is to begin renting the properties out this summer, with hopes of new businesses moving in by August.