La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

There has been a lot of activity at the old “Lighthouse” building on La Conner’s S. First Street.

The structure has been sitting mostly vacant since 2010, when Palmers Restaurant closed and the building went back to the bank.

California businessman Michael Girdner bought the century-old building last year for $385,000 and has been working with the town and state governments for the necessary permits to turn the 7,500-square-foot building into an indoor mall with galleries and retail shops.

Dave Elling, who is the project manager, said the doors, windows, sconces and furniture are all locally b...