A Monroe retail center has been sold to new owners who plan to open a temple for the practice and worship of Taoism.
The property at 707 Main St. was purchased by Jih Rong Temple Corp. of Great Neck, N.Y., for $1.5 million from 707 Properties LLC and Monroe-based principals William J. Destories and Rosemarie Slawinsky in a deal recorded March 30.
The temple will use about 9,800 square feet of the 11,000-square-foot commercial retail space.
Before purchasing the property, temple members applied for and were granted approval from the Monroe Planning and Zoning Commission for a special permit to convert the commercial space into a house of worship.
According to the application, temple members plan to change only the interior of the building. It will feature a lobby and gathering area, several office spaces, a classroom, a conference room, a kitchen, restrooms and seating for 192 attendees. The property has parking for about 200 vehicles.
The site was originally used as a restaurant, 707 On Main, and then was an auction house. It was built in 2000 and is set on 2.5 acres. It has a total appraised value of $1.3 million.
