First-Time Buying Commercial Property: Our Journey to 125 Ram Cat Alley, Seneca SC

I can’t believe I’m writing this—on Friday, March 7th, we close on our first commercial building! 🎉

Ever since we moved to this charming corner of South Carolina, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect commercial property or another business investment. And y’all, I mean on the hunt.

I put in offers on Christmas tree farms, scouted short-term rentals, toured commercial buildings, and even slid into a few DMs asking business owners if they were interested in selling. (No shame in my game!)

To say I’ve been persistent would be an understatement. But today, I get to share the exciting news:
125 Ram Cat Alley in Seneca, SC, is about to become something really special.

Why Ram Cat Alley? A Dream Location in Downtown Seneca, SC

If I was going to buy commercial real estate, it had to be in Downtown Seneca. There’s just something magical about Ram Cat Alley—a historic, lively street filled with local businesses, charm, and a growing community.

Now, don’t get me wrong—plenty of people told me to forget about this idea.
“Too much red tape,” they said.
“It’ll be a headache,” they warned.

And, listen, I know they weren’t wrong—there’s definitely a lot to figure out (hello, permits, paperwork, and historic building quirks). But with the right team, I knew this was doable.

The Search for the Perfect Commercial Property in Seneca SC

Luckily, I have amazing realtors in my circle of friends. Enter Blake Algure of Upstate Commercial Hub—who made this whole process feel so much easier than I expected.

Blake and I toured several properties—on and off the market. And let me tell you, I needed someone who:
✔️ Would be honest if a property wasn’t a good fit
✔️ Could negotiate like a pro
✔️ Had the patience of a saint (because I can be picky 🤪)

When 125 Ram Cat Alley came into the picture, I just knew it had to be mine. It’s historic, ridiculously cute, and right in the heart of Seneca’s main street. With the city’s revitalization efforts in full swing, I couldn’t believe this historic charm could be mine.

The Vision: Ice Cream, Retail, and an Office HQ in downtown Seneca SC

So, what’s the plan for the space?

• The front will be a retail shop and homemade ice cream parlor (yes, B Lakeside is officially getting a storefront! 🍦)
• The back will be the headquarters for my accounting firm, Empowered to Profit

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am to have an office where I can invite clients and the community in. It’s about time!

Buying Commercial Property in Seneca, SC: Nerves, Logistics & What’s Next

Of course, there are still a million unknowns—and let’s be real, I’m nervous. The timing of this purchase came sooner than expected (especially after just completing a major home renovation), but this building is exactly what I wanted. Even if it takes some time to get it up and running, it’s worth it.

The not-so-glamorous part? Right now, I’m juggling:
📑 Business permits
📝 LLC paperwork for the lawyers
📐 Space planning to maximize every inch

To help bring my vision to life, I’ve brought in FD Design—one of the best commercial design teams out of Pennsylvania. Their expertise in commercial buildouts is exactly what this project needs, and I cannot wait to share what they come up with.

First-Time Buying Commercial Property: Follow Along as We Build in Ram Cat Alley, Seneca SC!

This is just the beginning of the journey, and I’ll be sharing every step—the wins, the struggles, and the behind-the-scenes moments.

Want to see the transformation in real-time? Follow along on TikTok and Instagram for all the updates, sneak peeks, and maybe even a few construction mishaps. 😅

📍 125 Ram Cat Alley, here we come!

PS: What is your favorite ice cream flavor?