New, growing businesses moving into Tarentum's renovated Murphy Building

Four local businesses are starting or expanding their operations in the former G.C. Murphy Building in Tarentum.

Allegheny Educational Systems, based in Tarentum for nearly 40 years, is keeping its primary location on Third Avenue but needed showroom space for its growing business, building owner Dave Rankin said.

Chuck Conto and his family in Tarentum are leasing offices for their growing home-based business, Red Cat Brands, whose primary brand is Lucky Franc’s, a line of men’s grooming, hair care and fashion accessories.

Photographer Charlotte Anderson of Brackenridge is opening a studio for herself, while Dylan and Ashley Seelnacht of Harrison wanted an office where they could meet with customers of their specialty cabinet and interior design business, Seelnacht Iconic Interiors.

“This is what I hoped for all along,” said Dave Rankin, who bought the building in July 2018 and began renovating space on its first floor along Corbet Street in late 2019.

The roughly 30,000-square-foot building — L-shaped with fronts on Corbet Street and Fourth Avenue — sat empty from 2012 to 2018.

“It was a shame to see it just sitting there, vacant,” Rankin said.

Renovations focusing on the first-floor space facing Corbet Street included painting, electrical and carpentry work inside and out, along with minor plumbing, facade, HVAC and carpeting work. It’s been upgraded with a security system and updated fire alarm and detection systems.

Allegheny Educational Systems provides technology labs, equipment and curriculum to schools and educational institutions in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. Rankin said it needed more showroom space for its equipment.

A company representative could not be reached for comment.

Conto, who has a full-time job in medical sales, said Red Cat Brands has grown to where it needed more space, and the Murphy Building looked like a good fit. He’s paid for a year and plans to be operating there by Feb. 1.

“It’s growing into a sizeable business,” he said. “We want to keep it local and keep it growing as best we can.”

Conto said he’d been looking for space for a year but not finding much available in the area. The Murphy Building met his needs at a fair price, he said.

“It’s a great way to grow and expand a business without having a huge financial commitment,” he said.

Doing photography outdoors and at clients’ homes for about three years, Anderson said she was looking for studio space where she could do photo shoots indoors. She’s already moved in.

Anderson said she wants to get into doing maternity and newborn photos and for occasions such as birthdays and holidays such as Valentine’s Day and Easter. She uses a variety of backgrounds and props.

“I’m hoping to make it a big thing,” she said. “I have a dream of what it looks like.”

Dylan Seelnacht said he and his wife needed office space but didn’t want to get into a full-blown showroom or make a long-term commitment yet. He said they plan to be in by the end of January.

Seelnacht said they try to stick with American-made products not offered on Amazon and want to offer an option other than the big box stores.

Seelnacht said they considered other locations, such as Murrysville, but wanted to stay in the Tarentum-Brackenridge-Harrison area.

“I was pretty impressed with the building. It turned out nicely,” he said. “We’re happy to be in there.”

In addition to the businesses, the Murphy Building also will house offices for the newly formed Upper Allegheny Valley Community Development Corp., part of Faith Community Partners, which Rankin runs. The CDC was formed through the comprehensive plan approved between Tarentum, Brackenridge and Harrison and will begin implementing it.

Rankin said only three small office spaces remain on the first floor facing Corbet Street.

“I am also considering leasing the entry space in the front of the building at a reduced rate for a suitable tenant,” he said. “That area is in somewhat of a common space, but may be desirable for the right tenant.”

The second floor offices facing Corbet Street will be ready in six to eight weeks, he said.

The remainder of the building, where improvements are gradual and ongoing, is under contract with Coldwell Banker for leasing.

“If other potential tenants step forward and are serious about leases, the improvements will speed up and so will the occupancy,” he said.

Rankin said he’s looking for three or four larger tenants who want significant space.

“The basement is wide open but unimproved,” he said. “It would make great storage space for the right tenant.”