News
Old Albany School Building Gets New Life
By: Taylor Pool
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One building in Albany is taking on a new identity – without losing its original look.
The old Albany Elementary and High School had been home to government offices, is now a place you can get a sandwich, too.
The old school building just off Washington road in Albany used to be the Alexander/Albany elementary school, but is now hosting the Center Albany Schoolhouse Cafe.
In its second day in business, it has already brought in plenty of support from the community.
"The time when you sat with your family at dinner, every night. And everybody sat around a table and had a meal. We're kind of bringing that type of food back," said Amy Foster, cafe owner.
Foster says the best part is the food is always made from scratch.
"French fries are about all that's gonna come out of a bag in our kitchen," said Foster.
Instead of being torn down like many old schools in the area, this building is being preserved, in the same state it was in when it was an elementary school.
"We want to be able to have folks come in from the area that went to school here and be able to say yeah my grandkids put that up there," said Jeff Niese, building manager, pointing to artwork on the wall.
The Albany café is the newest addition to the old schoolhouse, but it won't be the last. The Center will also be the future site of Stages Child Care which will provide full-time child care for children ages two-and-a-half to 12 years of age.
Central Albany is also the current location of the Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center Educational Disturbance unit, Sound Health Clinic and several Albany Village departments.