The historic former Gurney’s IGA building at the northwest corner of the intersection of Main and Superior streets has been the site of a lot of activity lately.

The building, now owned by Salvatore Uccello, is getting some remodeling. A building permit on the side door (North Main Street entrance) indicates there are plans for second floor apartments while the window reveals boxes and restaurant equipment on the main floor.

Uccello purchased the building in 2014. It has sat idle for many of the past 40 years after Gurney’s went out of business in 1974. It was reported to be owned most recently by Jason Watts, son of former Allegan County Clerk-Register of Deeds Joyce Watts and attorney John Watts of Allegan. It was home to Gurney’s IGA for about 40 years, starting in the 1930s when Jack Gurney bought it from the Cozzens family, which had a family grocery business. The store remained in the Gurney family until Walt Gurney closed it.

Gurney’s IGA, Harding’s Market, A & P and Kroger were the four grocery stores in downtown Wayland throughout much of mid-century. However, only Harding’s remains today, and it has moved from downtown to a strip mall next to the U.S.-131 expressway.

Mr. and Mrs. Darryl Anderson bought the old Gurney’s building and had the building remodeled and turned into a restaurant and ice cream parlor in 1976. They continued the soft-serve ice cream business on the east side of the building on North Main Street.

But it was sold to a family from Grand Rapids that operated Rosita’s Mexican Restaurant in the late 1980s and into the 1990s. However, the family became involved in a dispute with city government over use of the upstairs of the building and it was sold again, this time to a Greek man who had the building extensively repainted and was said to make terrific Greek salads, but fell short on preparing Mexican food.

The eatery closed and was vacant for a spell until someone came along to start a “Dog Gone It” restaurant. Then the building was home to a couple that made and sold embroidered T-shirts, but that closed as well, and the building again became vacant.

Kevin and Deb Mast opened the Wayland Resale Store, a thrift store, in December 2012, but later had problems with the lease and closed its doors in 2014.

Uccello also owns the adjacent building that housed the Guiseppe’s Pizza business that was damaged by fire.

Salvino’s was contacted by e-mail for more details, but there was no response.

PHOTO: The former Gurney’s building at the corner of Main and Superior in downtown Wayland.