The historic Clare House in Gilbert, Arizona, has been granted a brief reprieve from the wrecking ball after the demolition deadline was extended to August 1. According to ABC15, a developer had originally set July 15 as the start date to tear down the century-old structure to make way for Bottled Blonde, a two-story pizzeria and nightclub. However, the Gilbert community has rallied behind the preservation effort, attempting to secure more than $110,000 needed to relocate and restore the house to its new home at HD South, Gilbert's Historical Museum.
Efforts to save the Clare House, a landmark that once served as a coffee shop and is foundational to Gilbert's heritage, are currently underway. A challenge, which many are willing to embrace, is to substantially raise the required funds for the building's preservation. "If everyone in Gilbert donated a dollar, we would have well over our goal and so that is really what our message is," Casey Kendal, the Redevelopment Commission Chair for the Town of Gilbert, told azfamily.com. The building, dating back to 1918, is considered a vital piece of the town's history and the movement to rescue it from demolition reflects a collective commitment to preserve Gilbert's cultural narrative.
Volunteers and history enthusiasts have come together to support the cause, highlighting the importance of the Clare House not just architecturally, but as a symbol of the community's past. Among them is Julia Taggart, president of Sunnyslope Historical Society, as per ABC15, "When you look at it, it’s a very kind of small-town feel."
Both the developer and local preservationists have crafted a provisional solution that could see the Clare House become an exhibit within the Gilbert Historical Museum. "Our total goal is $135,000. That includes site preparation, building relocation, restoration, and the repairs to make it accessible for the public," Denise Lopez, President of the Gilbert Historical Museum, explained in a statement given to azfamily.com.
