Former Harris Family Furniture lot now part of Irwin Motors

What was, for a half-century, Harris Family Furniture on Union Avenue, is now part of the neighboring car dealership. Irwin Automotive Group applied for a demolition permit for the Harris Family Furniture structure on July 2, 2025, and the permit was issued on Oct. 21. The automotive group operate a Hyundai dealership next door.  The permit was good for one year, though a one-year extension could be requested for a total life of two years on the permit. Today, the furniture store is long gone. The Laconia location operated for about 50 years, and they’ve still got other locations in Plymouth, Concord and Chichester. To obtain a demolition permit, a property owner must first fill out an application with the city’s Code Enforcement Department. Any structures 50 years or older, and 700 square feet or larger, must be reviewed and approved by the city’s Heritage Commission. If the structure in question meets those criteria to be reviewed by the commission, no demolition permit can be issued, nor demolition occur, until the commission reaches a decision. The Heritage Commission indicated their approval for the Union Avenue site following a review in August.  After review by the Heritage Commission, if required, an applicant must have the site inspected for asbestos. Then, an applicant is required to obtain signatures from the Public Works, Water, Planning, and Fire departments, along with an Eversource work order number to ensure power is disconnected, if applicable; a Liberty Utilities work order number to ensure gas service is disconnected, if applicable; a copy of a letter of approval from a condominium association, if applicable; and the signature of the tax collector, if applicable. Once all signatures are obtained and the asbestos report submitted to code enforcement, the applicant will receive an invoice. Once paid, the permit will be issued. For a commercial structure, there is a $200 fee.

— Gabriel Perry