LEXINGTON—An old furniture plant in Lexington that sat vacant for years is getting a makeover, thanks to a popular national TV show.
The doors have been closed at the old Dixie Furniture plant for about a decade now.
"What we're standing in and amongst us here is well over 100 years of history,” said Mayor Newell Clark. “Dixie Furniture's been here for a long time. They were known for the bedroom furniture that they made."
Thanks to the crew with Roanoke, Virginia-based Black Dog Salvage, who hosts the TV series "Salvage Dawgs," the plant is about to get a face-lift.
"This all came about because Bob Timberlake actually approached us about getting these folks here,” Clark said. “They'll take different types of materials, most of them being antiques, and repurpose them. They give them another life."
Historic relics like old Lineberry furniture carts, along with work tables where furniture was built, are littered throughout the facility.
“Salvage Dawgs” will begin filming on Tuesday, and host a special meet and greet with the community at Bull City Ciderworks that night.
"This is the first time they’re opening a meet and greet to the public, and getting a chance to meet the folks who actually worked in these factories,” Clark said. “Mr. Timberlake will be here!"
While he couldn't give a lot of details because the deal hasn't been finalized, Mayor Clark says that once the TV show cleans up the city-owned building, he has several interested tenants ready to rent.
The national exposure means a lot to folks like Greg Taylor, who's worked at the Lanier's True Value Hardware Store nearly all his life.
"I've been here 30 years, and anytime we see something happening to the furniture plants that have been vacated for a few years now, it's very exciting,” Taylor said.
If you're interested in attending the meet and greet with the hosts of "Salvage Dawgs" and Bob Timberlake, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/922543027880914/.
The episode will air about a year from now, some time next fall.