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The exterior of 434 Main Street, Greenport retains its classic look. (Photo Credit: OneKey MLS)

Today, most people know the beautiful building at 434 Main Street, Greenport as Goldin Furniture Company. But the property has a storied past, dating back to 1894 as the Greenport Auditorium, and a potentially exciting future, having been recently listed for sale at a price of $3.5 million.

Listing agent Barbara Poliwoda of Douglas Elliman Real Estate said that the building’s charm, along with its history as one of the central hubs of Greenport Village’s community, will attract a buyer with a great vision.

“It feels very special because so many people are aware of the building and are really hopeful that something can be resurrected there with regards to more of a community building,” said Poliwoda. “The retail space is great and works great, so there’s plenty of opportunity there. It’s of interest to so many different people.”

The Queen Anne-style Greenport Auditorium was designed by architect George H. Flack and built by Charles Corwin. According to the Village of Greenport Business Improvement District’s Walking Tour guide, the auditorium was commissioned by women’s suffrage activist Sarah Jackson Adams to “uplift the moral tone of the community.” The performing arts center was home to dramas, vaudeville acts, music and more until Greenport was devastated by a hurricane in 1938. It reopened as the Goldin Furniture Company retail space in 1974, and was restored to contain much of its original look and feel.

Today, Goldin Furniture Company is owned by Andy Aurichio, whose parents purchased the building in 1968. Aurichio says the building is special and unique for a potential buyer. “The construction…the materials that they used to construct it. Everything in here was made to order, so to speak,” said Aurichio. “It was made to the specifications required. Everything was made for this place, not just pieced together. Everything is still pretty much the way it’s [always been]. We never changed it, just tried to keep and maintain it.”

“The design of the outside, like most of the buildings in Greenport, are historic and have a beautiful fascia to it,” added Poliwoda. “They just don’t do buildings like that anymore. That’s what I like most about it — the outside details of the building are most beautiful to me.”

Greenport Village ordinance requires that the exteriors of the building remain untouched, but inside, great reverence has been paid to its history as a theater. The balcony remains, as do many of the 19th century lights, and visitors can see several rows of the original seating.

For Aurichio, listing the building is bittersweet. “We never changed it, just tried to keep and maintain it. It is a special place,” he said. “I’ve been here for more than 50 years. [My parents are] gone now. You spend most of your life in a place…you grow attached to it, you know?”

“They used to rent horse-and-buggies in the back, the Greenport Fire Department used it for the Firemen’s Ball every year,” said Poliwoda. “She needs a nice paint job and somebody who’s going to have a great vision to do some great things for Greenport Village.”

Read the full listing for 434 Main Street here.

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