Woodard buildings finally getting a facelift

What has been the Downtown's Mall's biggest pile of vacant buildings has received new attention this year, as the long-shuttered storefronts and upper-story spaces at the northeast corner of First and Main finally appear to be getting a rejuvenation. This comes five years after owner Keith Woodard announced his hope to demolish– or at least build atop– the four potentially historic storefronts across from the Jefferson Theater. On June 21, an upscale women's boutique called Verdigris opened next door to lingerie store derriere de soie. Now, workers are making room for jean theory:, a shop currently located on Market Street and specializing in "new and inherited" denims. The final of the four storefronts is the one on the corner and long filled by the Old Dominion Bakery; but it's currently floorless, so don't trespass!