The old Piedmont Nursing Home will finally have a new occupant this summer.The Gingerbread House Daycare, currently located on South Ray St., entered into a contract with the city of Piedmont effective June 1, announced City Clerk Bill Fann at last week’s City Council meeting.
Daycare owner Julie Blevins said the expansion is a much-needed addition to her two-and-a-half-year-old business. “When I first opened the daycare, I never, never expected to be this successful,” Blevins said. “I have people calling everyday and I’m turning children down every day because of the fact that I don’t have anymore room for them.”
Blevins said her current location has a mere four classrooms, while the new facility will have seven to eight classrooms. With double the number of classrooms, Blevins’ business will be able to accommodate an additional 50 to 70 children, she said.
Gingerbread House currently cares for around 30 children ranging in age from six weeks to 10 years.
The daycare’s new location will be at the southwest end of the Calhoun St. building, with a space between it and the city’s Senior Center.
Blevins said at first, she plans to only occupy about one-third of the building, but has the option in the future to expand further.
Before the daycare could move in, the city had to make a number of repairs to the building including the roof, air conditioning and heating units and some minor structural repairs on the inside.
Blevins said she is thankful that her business has been so successful and is looking forward to moving into the new facility. “It’s wonderful,” she said. “We’ve just been so successful and people are in such need of child care.”
