K udos are very much in order for Hyde Parker Mark Fishman of 3905 Avenue G, by virtue of his successful effort to keep a notable local building in the capable and compatible hands of someone who will care for it! Six months ago, Mark put a For Sale sign on the building he owned at the SW corner of Speedway and 38th Street, where he ran his recording business, IO Studios. Mark had over 150 inquiries on the property, with serious offers coming largely from developers wishing to demolish the building and build large-scale residential or commercial development. The property is currently zoned MF-4. *

    Mark held out against the potential loss of the building, instead wanting to find an owner who would maintain the building's integrity and be someone involved in a business that could be supported by the neighborhood. He'd hoped to secure a music, multimedia or recording studio business, given his own investment into the building, but ultimately sold it to upholsterer Dennis Ambrose, who will run his business, Ambrose Upholstery, in one side and will reside in the other.

    The grey, single-story building has a long history of eclectic use, originally being developed by the Lemons family in the 1920's. Mark purchased the building in 1997 from Lucille Lemons, daughter of the original owner. Lucille recalled how her father had wanted an income-producing property, so he built a general store on one side and a residence on the other where the shop workers lived. When the store closed, the building had multiple lives -- including a rug and antique store, artists' studio space, and Europa Studios -- before Mark acquired it. So, welcome to the neighborhood, Ambrose Upholstery; and a grateful salute to Mark Fishman -- One small step for Mark, one giant leap for the neighborhood!