Miriam and Marshall: Wellsville Main Street District developers on a mission

Meet the new owners of the landmark Brunswick Building

By Andrew Harris,

In just a short period of time big things can happen. Ask Miriam Chalom and Marshall Green, a local duo that decided on a business plan to purchase Main Street Buildings for residential and commercial leasing. Since 2024 they have purchased six buildings on Main Street which includes nearly all of the “Brunswick Block,” the buildings between the David A. Howe Public Library and West Pearl Street.

Miriam and Marshall, aka “M&M” invited me to tour the most recent purchase, the iconic Brunswick Building which sits on the corner of North Main and West Pearl, across from the Jones Memorial Hospital south lawn.

The Brunswick then and now, from the Wellsville Historical Society:

The Commercial House, aka The Hotel Brunswick as we know it, was built in 1871 by Nathaniel Johnson. Same guy that gave the land for the Johnson Cemetery by the Jones Memorial Hospital. Many businesses have come and gone in that building.

The Brunswick had a few existing tenants when M&M bought the three-story brick corner building. Just days after taking ownership they are thrilled to announce agreements with Emery Chiropractic Clinic and a new licensed massage therapist (coming soon). They plan to fill a few more spaces and then begin the work of renovating the upper floors to be much needed housing in the community.

M&M have a very optimistic view of Main Street Wellsville, and they are confident they can be a big part of moving the needle for the whole village. The formula is a hybrid of the classic street level retail and second story residential model. This industrious duo have tweaked the model in a few interesting ways:

Business incubators: M&M understand that leasing Main Street space can be expensive and out of reach for many startups. So they are dedicating some of the available space to providing inexpensive lease options to help get new businesses off the ground. Ideally those small businesses will move into larger spaces as they grow, pay more rent, employ more people, and serve more customers. The business wins, M&M wins, and Main Street Wellsville wins.

Air BnB and short-term rentals: Harnessing a national trend, several of the residential units are being rented by the weekend, the week, or the month. Visitors to the village have an option outside of motels/hotels, locals have options in between permanent housing, and employers like Jones Memorial Hospital have options or traveling staff members.
Niche amenities: Marshall, a ceramic artist himself, installed a pottery studio in the basement of the old INK Printshop. Also a cigar afficionado, Green has built a cigar lounge in the lower level of another building and has plans to eventually turn it into a membership cigar lounge and speak-easy themed martini bar. M&M have already found value in the many different market demographics and segments like the emerging artist community. With lots of new spaces ready to be renovated, expect more hubs of common denominators.

Both Marshall and Miriam have confidence that the business plan will be bolstered by organic economic growth in Wellsville. They are expecting that growth to happen with new money in addition to existing sources of economic growth like manufacturing or energy. M&M can see a future where investors, entrepreneurs, and families come to Wellsville to develop new businesses and thrive.

They are a leading example of just that, both Miriam and Marshall are new money, successful in building wealth and rebuilding the community they now call home.

We asked Marshall what the secret to success has been for he and Miriam.

“Hard work! Miriam has a full-time career as a Pharmacist at Jones Memorial Hospital and I am a professional wedding DJ. We’ve decided to invest our savings and ‘sweat-equity’ in these properties and this community.”

Chalom explained that they are ready to help others thrive and succeed in Wellsville:

“We welcome anyone who is considering Main Street Wellsville to reach out for information or advice. Our goal is to be successful by helping others succeed and working as a community to raise up all the sails on the ship!“

To talk about leasing options that are available now, or those that in the process of being restored, or just talk about the future of Wellsville contact the M&M team anytime via email at WellsvilleNYrentals@gmail.com.

Here is the current portfolio of properties the small businesses that are currently tenants:

84 North Main

Amanda’s Chop Shop
Beauty By Rikki https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069833868123
Tattooed Spirit (tattoo shop opening soon) www.facebook.com/TattooedSpirit
Skin By Wren skinbywren.com
Inner Beginnings (retail & gift store opening soon)
Various Artists renting studio space