HARMONY — A hometown entrepreneur recently bought the old Harmony Opera House and plans to turn it into a hub for businesses that focus on healthy living and personal well-being.

Josh Meeder, 38, along with his girlfriend Dana Lowers, bought the old opera house last month for just under $200,000, and renovations are already under way on the 12,000-square-foot property.

The property will be called the Center of Harmony and will include environmentally-friendly businesses, a conference center and a greenhouse used to grow organic vegetables.

Meeder said he envisions the property, located at 253 Mercer St., as a place that’s focused on “preserving the environment, strengthening the community and empowering people to live healthy, happy lives.”

Part of that equation includes three businesses on the first floor of the building, one of which called Pearlette is already open. The business sells handmade jewelry crafted out of silver, gold, gemstones, pearls and enamel.

The second business is a coffeehouse called Wunderbar while the third is Darn Yarn Needles and Thread, both of which will open in January.

According to Meeder, the coffeehouse will recycle all paper products while the yarn store will sell organic yarn and knitting products.

In additional to the businesses on the first floor of the building, Meeder plans to use the “massive open space” of the second floor as a conference room or auditorium where he’ll invite speakers to talk about a bevy of healthy-living techniques and host “wellness seminars.”

The 3,700-square-foot open space also will be used as a community center that can be utilized by local organizations, as well as a place for yoga instruction.

There’s also a 1,600-square-foot greenhouse on the property, Meeder said, and he plans to use it as a place to grow organic vegetables or as a community co-op where residents can come grow their own produce.

“Really the building is a community-based center where individuals and businesses that support the environment can come together and provide health and wellness,” Meeder said.

“It’s also a nice chance for economic development in the area, and it’s been our dream to make this happen in our hometown.”

Meeder was born and raised in Harmony, and lives in Zelienople.