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The Willows Apartments are ready for more residents in Linton’s re-developing downtown area.

Formerly the Willows Hotel and later the Hogue Manor, the apartment complex has 20 spacious units with nine currently available. The building is less than a block from a grocery store, banks, drug store, hardware store, restaurants, fitness center, specialty shops, florist, bakery, dentist, chiropractor, beauty shops, attorneys, insurance agents, accountants, bars and a shoe repair shop.

Charles “Chuck” Hendricks of Fargo is president of Five Star Services, Inc., the company that manages the property for managing partner, Michel Associates, Ltd. of Boston, Mass. Michel Associates and a group of other investors own the Linton complex.

“The front of the building has been updated, with an attractive awning and a newly decorated lobby,” Hendricks said. “We think the apartments and building are ideal for residents and hope to fill every apartment soon.”

There are 15 one-bedroom and five two-bedroom apartments on two floors of the three-story building. An elevator provides easy access for residents.

He said the lobby has been re-designed as more of a community room for the residents and their guests. The Red Hattitudes of Linton meet in the lobby, and they decorate it for Christmas.

“The building and apartments are nicely done, and there are spacious common areas that enhance the comfortable living at the Willows Apartments,” Hendricks said.

Vern and Brenda Werre are the current site managers. Vern was recently promoted by MDU, so they will be moving to Bismarck. Starting May 1, Brian and Sue Schumacher will take over.

“Vern and Brenda have done a wonderful job for us, and we are looking forward to having Brian and Sue as part of our team,” Hendricks said.

He said the managers do a lot more than oversee the property.

“Our philosophy is that the managers take care of people, not just a building,” Hendricks said. “We want people who live in the Willows Apartments to be as happy as possible in their living quarters, and it is important that the managers have good relationships with them.”

Hendricks said an open house will be held this Friday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Later in the spring, a grand re-opening is planned.

“We invite everyone to stop by and visit with Brian and Sue Schumacher and to learn more about the Willows Apartments,” Hendricks said.

Anyone interested in the apartments may contact the office at 701-254-4583 or Five Star at 1-800-284-9733.

The Willows Apartments is a senior and limited-income facility, so residents need to meet certain income guidelines.

“The guidelines are not as restrictive as some might think, so we encourage people to check us out,” Hendricks said.

Commercial space

Tenants are also being sought for the commercial spaces on the first floor of the complex, and there is optimism that the theater can be refurbished and re-opened.

Michel Associates is handling the development of the commercial space, and anyone interested may contact Hendricks or Sharon Jangula, Development Coordinator of the Linton Industrial Development Corporation (701-254-4267 or lidcbek@bektel.com).

According to Jangula, there may be some interest in the commercial space now that the exterior of the building has been enhanced and other new businesses have moved into that block of Broadway.

Hendricks said some “very creative” lease agreements would be offered by Michel Associates.

Jangula said a committee is being formed to work on the theater project and to develop a proposal that can be submitted to the Boston company.

“There is a lot of support in the community for a movie theater,” Jangula said. “We are excited about the opportunity to come up with a plan.”

History

Hendricks’ company was started by his father, Mel, in Wyndmere, and they have been partners since 1979. They are now located in Fargo.

Chuck was a college-educated zoologist and headed to dental school when his dad asked him to help out, and he’s been in the property management business ever since.

His parents, Mel and Harriet Hendricks, are retired, but Mel still helps out from time to time.

Chuck calls his dad his “second best friend,” after his wife, Patty.

People of Mel’s generation (he is 79) may remember him from his amateur baseballs days. He was inducted into the North Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in Jamestown.

Chuck said the company is growing, now managing 20 properties in Fargo and many small towns in the eastern half of the state.

“We see great potential for the Willows Apartments and know that people will find it to be a very nice place and handy place to live,” Chuck said.