By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The Summer Classics furniture company could finalize its move into the former Moore Handley building in Pelham as early as August 2014, the company’s chief executive officer said after he signed off on a deal to purchase the building.

Summer Classics CEO Bew White joined city and county officials at Pelham City Hall on July 30 to finalize the company’s agreement to purchase the former Moore Handley building, which has sat vacant for several years.

Through the agreement, Pelham loaned Summer Classics $3.275 million to purchase the building on U.S. 31. Summer Classics will make mortgage payments to the city to pay the amount back. A portion of the $3.275 million loan was provided by Shelby County and the county’s Industrial Development Authority.

As a result of a resolution passed by the Pelham City Council on July 25, the city purchased the property from HHH for $107,692 less than originally anticipated, and will reduced Summer Classics’ purchase price by the same amount. The price reduction came after Summer Classics identified several issues with the building during a recent inspection.

Summer Classics will consolidate its three Montevallo facilities and its current Pelham showroom in the former Moore Handley building. White said the new location will allow the company to better brand itself.

“It’s a branding opportunity for us,” White said. “Plus, it will cut down on the driving we have to do between facilities. We produce 2,000 cushions a day, and they have to go somewhere.”

Summer Classics is planning to construct a 10,000-square-foot showroom on the front of the former Moore Handley building, and will consolidate its Montevallo manufacturing and storage locations in the existing part of the building. The new showroom will mirror Summer Classics’ current showroom, which is off Hinds Street.

Pelham is working with the Retail Strategies firm to attract developers and retailers for proposed “boulevard style” outparcel developments between the former Moore Handley building and U.S. 31. The City Council is scheduled to meet with Retail Strategies representatives during its Aug. 5 meeting.