New Albany natives will remember M&J Market, a grocery store in New Albany that opened in 1947 on Eakin Street. The business was sold in By 1982, the building had been vacant for several years, slowly falling into disrepair. But in 2019, Jonas and Allison Sage took over the property, breathing new life into the structure and transforming it into a home for their family of five.
House hunting
The Sages lived about half a mile from their present home for nine years. But realizing that their small ranch home did not provide enough space for their growing family, the couple began looking for a bigger place.
“We’ve been randomly looking for houses for two years,” Jonas told the Courier Journal. “We want to live within walking distance to the church (where I work).”
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However, he added, most of the homes he found were out of their price range. And if they could afford it, it would quickly put them over budget with the renovation work they wanted. Fortunately, when they were looking for a new place to live, they found the house they now call home.
“Since this house was ordered to be demolished, Indiana signs reached the church and wanted to save it,” he explained. “(It’s always been) … a house of eyes, so they reached out to us to see if the church wanted it.”
Jonah looked around the property. But he had another idea: What if he bought the building and turned it into his family home?
Renovation is ready.
Jonas brings Alison home to see for herself – though he’s sure she’ll shut down the idea.
“I remember very well,” she said, “it was 10 or 15 minutes, when (we) got out on the floor, worried that the roof was going to fall in. I think we can do it.”
Allison said she felt confident about the project because of their partnership with Indiana Landmarks.
“There was an interest in seeing the house saved, and there was someone who had worked with old buildings before – and he seemed to know what he was doing,” she explained.
As newbies to major home renovations, the sages relied on the expertise of people who have renovated many historic properties — but Alison chose all the finishes, furniture and paint colors.
“I think she did a great job,” Jonas said, adding that they learned a lot from the process and were glad everything went smoothly.
Although Alison says she still has more decorating to do, the renovated home now has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms — including one for little Jack and Jill — a laundry room and a screened-in porch. .
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Favorite features
The sages kept as much of the original house as they could, including the flooring, trim, and baseboards; Most walnut grades; All eight coal stoves; And one of Alison’s favorite features – all 38 trans windows.
“I love the light,” she said. “(My favorite things) are the high ceilings and the big windows.” She adds that because the house has been through so much evolution, there aren’t too many original physical features — but she likes that it’s still a piece of history.
“I feel like it’s coming back to life,” she said. “We… were able to put our own spin on it.”
Jonas added that being so close to their church allows them to become part of the community.
“The place is a real gift,” he said. “And it felt like a real privilege to be able to buy[this house]. It’s not just about checking boxes of things we want. We feel lucky to be here (and) to take something meaningful. So much for the neighborhood and saving it.”
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Do you know a home that makes the best home of the week? Writer Lennie Omalza by email at aloha@lennieomalza.com or lifestyle editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.
New Albany Historic Home Tour
whatThe 2022 New Albany Historic Home Tour, presented by the developer New Albany and Indiana Landmarks, features 12 buildings and homes in New Albany’s many historic neighborhoods.
When: Saturday, September 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
whereThe homes are located in various historic neighborhoods in New Albany. Tours begin at the New Albany Farmers Market, located at the corner of Bank and Market streets. Tour booklets must be picked up there before 3pm
TicketsAdvance tickets are available for $20. Tickets are $25 day of or $5 for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. Advance ticket sales by cash or check are available at Strandz & Threadz, Dress & Dwell, YMCA, Madhouse, Seed & Greens and Saturdays at the New Albany Farmers Market. Tickets are also available online at developnewalbany.org.
More informationFor more information, contact the New Albany Development Office at 812-941-0018.
Nuts & Bolts
Owners: Jonas and Alison Sage. Jonas is a pastor and Alison is a housewife. Also at home are the couple’s children, Booker, 8, Cora, 7, and Salem, 3.
at homeThis is a 4 bed, 3 1/2 bath, 2,900 square foot Victorian style home from 1884 in Silver Grove, Indiana.
Different elementssalvaged original floorboards, trim and baseboards; Original, 5-inch heart pine boards down; original 14-inch baseboards in main hallway; Much of the original walnut staircase has been retained, with parts that needed repair or replacement completed by a home-grown carpenter; All 38 original windows have been preserved throughout; All eight coal furnaces are occupied throughout; The window and door trims were spared throughout.
Applause! Applause! The owners would like to give special thanks to Greg Sekula of Indiana Landmarks for his commitment to preserving Indiana’s history and his passion for the Silver Grove neighborhood. They would like to thank Andy Carter for overseeing the project, as did the many contractors who helped make their dreams come true.
