A Butler businessman is looking to bring two new retail shops downtown.

Don Paul, who owns Don Paul Jewelers on Main Street, recently bought two abandoned storefronts beside his store.

Paul said he is renovating the buildings, and he wants to make sure they house retail stores when they’re completed.

“No lawyers, no doctors, just retail,” he said. “We want to give people more places to shop for Christmas.”

Paul has started repairing both the interior and exterior of the two buildings, which he said need a lot of work.

“They’re in pretty bad shape cosmetically,” he said.

Paul hopes the storefront next to his store will be done by the end of October, but he said the other likely will take more time.

Paul said he’s already heard comments about prospective renters.

“Over a dozen people have already approached me and asked about it,” he said.

Paul, who has been in the jewelry business in Butler for more than 30 years, said he wanted to buy the properties because he wants to help revitalize the city.

“We believe in Butler,” said Paul, who has been at his location on Main Street since 2005.

“I think things are picking up,” he said of the city. “We’ll get some people down here.”