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

Don Paul, who owns Don Paul Jewelers on Main Street, and his wife, Sherry, 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.

The two stores are connected inside, but Paul stressed they will be two different stores.

“There will be two separate retail stores,” he said. “Each building will have its own identity.”

While each will have a different look, Paul said the renovations will maintain the historical look the city is promoting.

Paul also hinted at renovating the upper level of the three properties, which are all connected, possibly into a multipurpose room or similar feature.

But he didn't want to get too far ahead of himself.

“I have to focus on the street level first,” he said.

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

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

Each of the two storefronts offers more than 2,000 square feet of space, Paul 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.”

Paul said he believes the Centre City project is proof the city is making a turnaround.

“If I didn't think so, I wouldn't have invested in two buildings,” he said.

Centre City involves building a hotel, a parking garage and a new Rite Aid store downtown.

Paul is confident in the resurgence because of the personal relationships small businesses can offer.

“Small businesses have more of an appreciation for customers,” he said.

Paul said the small business owners are a vital aspect of the city.

“We're crucial to what happens to the city over the next 10 years,” he said. “Whether Main Street lives or dies, really.”

Chelynne Curci, the Main Street manager for Butler Downtown, said she is thrilled with the purchase.

“I know he's been wanting to get those properties for a while now,” she said. “It's great for the city. Those two properties have been an eyesore for a long time.”

Curci said she spoke with Paul about the facade grants offered through Butler Downtown, which is the organization designated to promote growth in the Main Street area.

Curci said additional retail stores will be a plus.

“We always believe its good to have a good mix,” she said about the types of businesses downtown. “We have a solid base of service stores already so retail is a great addition.

“But any rented storefront is great, bottom line.”