The historic building known as The Lostro, located on 63 S. Court St., has undergone two renovations on its ground floor over the past year.
The first project introduced a Raising Cane’s, which opened Oct. 7. The current renovation brings a Playa Bowls, a superfruit bowl franchise, to the site in January 2026, according to Zach McBride, the superintendent of Arccon Construction.
Construction for the Playa Bowls location began Oct. 22. The Athens branch is the ninth Playa Bowls in Ohio, according to the company’s official website.
McBride said the project has faced delays due to miscommunication with another contractor, Miles-McClellan Construction. One setback involved ventilation placement, which differed from initial plans.
“Our goal was to be done before the end of the year, but for that to happen in construction anymore, you have to have all the right pieces in place,” McBride said. “We had a couple of mix-ups.”
Originally built as an automotive car dealership, The Lostro’s first floor served as a showroom while the second floor housed a repair shop. The building is named after its first owner, John R. Lostro, according to its website.
Over time, the building has hosted multiple businesses, including a restaurant, drugstore, bookstores and soon, a short-term rental complex.
“Located on the second and third floors, The Lostro has 20 thoughtfully designed units featuring fully furnished suites combining historic charm with modern convenience,” the website said.
Despite ongoing renovations, maintaining the building’s historic character remains a priority.
Miles-McClellan Construction was hired in summer 2024 as the general contractor for the renovation, according to Bethany Lewis, the company’s strategic communications director.
“Historical renovations typically involve complications, and diligent progress is being made to complete the work,” Lewis said in an email.
Arccon Construction follows the Historic Preservation Certification Application Amendment/Advisory Determination provided by the National Park Service to guide the renovation. McBride said the certification requires certain design adaptations to preserve historic features.
“There were a couple of things that we wouldn’t normally do in our design,” McBride said. “They wanted us to have a rustic-looking floor, so we couldn’t do the normal tile that we would do in Playa Bowls.”
The certification, reviewed by the Secretary of the Interior, ensures the building’s rehabilitation conserves its historic character. If approved, the project is eligible for federal tax incentives for historic preservation.
According to the certification, Playa Bowls’ design for the south storefront is consistent with the chain’s recognizable brand.
Ramona Schatzer, co-owner of the Playa Bowls at Penn State, hand-paints murals on the walls of Playa Bowls across the country, and the Athens location is no exception.
Schatzer’s Instagram account showcases her past work, which reflects the surf town lifestyle that inspired the founders, Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor, to create Playa Bowls.
“One of the things that makes Playa Bowls popular is the art that is painted on the walls,” McBride said.
The renovation process will pay homage to the integrity of the building and foundation on which Playa Bowls was created.
