Pocono News Section

Blum Building to be Demolished; Big Ugly's Closed

Blum Building to be Demolished; Big Ugly's Closed - Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 5:55PM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Sunday, Feb 7, 2010 @ 05:55pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- A building with rich history in downtown Wilkes-Barre is set to be demolished.

The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry plans to take down the vacant Blum Brothers building on South Main Street. It's been up for sale the past two years but had no takers.

The ladies clothing store was founded in 1911 and closed-up shop in 1998. Bids will open February 17th for demolition.

The chamber says once the building is demolished -- the site will offer opportunities for more downtown redevelopment.

And elsewhere in Wilkes-Barre the sports bar owned by the father of former Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak is out of business.

Big Ugly's Sports Bar & Grill on Wilkes-Barre Boulevard is shut down. A handwritten sign on the door says the bar will be closed until further notice and it's signed "Mr. Skrep". There's no word why the business closed.

Big Ugly's opened in 2005 featuring sports memorabilia from Skrepenak's football career. Skrepenak resigned from office in December and pled guilty last month to bribery.