Butler Truax Jewelers

Butler Truax Jewelers in Selma, Ala., is truly a retailer steeped in history. When the store was being attacked by looters in 1876, Frances Hobbs quilted merchandise into her petticoat to save it from being stolen.

Recently the jeweler, one of Alabama's oldest continuously operating retailers, outgrew its previous location and bought a building in Selma's historic downtown shopping district. GRID/3 Intl. (New York) was charged with designing a store that honored the art deco architecture and design of the early 1930s.

” ! am an avid historic preservationist,” says co-owner Jim Truax, “and feel lucky to be caretaker of this thriving business.”

The challenge for Keith Kovar, GRID/3 principal in charge of the project, was to design the 6000-square-foot store with a historic look without compromising the necessary modern amenities of function and efficiency.

“We used the existing mahogany showcases, built in 1919 and still in good shape, and some historic photographs as a starting point,” says Kovar.

New showcases were built to reflect the character of the existing ones, though more shallow (20-feet deep versus 28 feet) for better merchandising. Doors and windows from the old store, incorporated into the design, contribute a style reflected in the soffits and other wood-trimmed detailing.

In the 1950s, many old ceilings had simply been covered over and dropped. The ceiling in this space was uncovered to its original 18-foot height and refurbished to retain the coveted art deco style.

“My design is adaptive re-use rather than restoration,” says Kovar.

Jason Kopp, Madden & Associates, Selma, Ala.Client: Butler Truax Jewelers, Selma, Ala. – Roger Butler, Jim Truax, co-owners

Design: GRID/3 Intl., New York – Keith Kovar, principal; Mike Schneider, designer

Suppliers: Pionite, Auburn, Maine (laminates); Lees Carpet, Greensboro, N.C., Armstrong World Industries, Lancaster, Pa. (flooring); Juno Lighting, Des Plaines, Ill. (lighting); Tandem Contract, Dayton, N.J. (wall coverings); Sherwin-Williams, Cleveland (paint)