A cosmetology school that has been based in downtown Kennewick for years is preparing to move a few blocks away.

The city of Kennewick has issued a conditional use permit to Victoria’s Academy of Cosmetology to renovate the former True Value Washington Furniture & Hardware building at 6 W. Kennewick Ave.

Crews have already removed the shaped metal facade and brick that had defined the building for decades, revealing second-floor and ground-floor windows. Further details of what is planned were not yet filed with the city, and owner Danae Huett declined to comment for this story.

However, city planning documents indicate that the remodel includes enough room to accommodate between 20 to 30 students, plus academy staff or patrons.

The Gravenslund family owned and operated Washington Hardware for three generations before discontinuing regular hours in 2018. Huett bought the building for $925,000 at the beginning of the year, though at the time declined to say whether the cosmetology school her mother founded and she now operates would move there.

“Part of why I invested in this property is that my mom started our company and she was super passionate about the downtown, and I’ve become really passionate about this area,” Huett told the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business after closing on the building.

The original building was built in 1905, while an adjacent single-story retail space next door was built in 1965. That latter space is currently occupied by White’s Finished Furniture & Hardwood.

In addition to the removal of the facade, the interior has been cleared of any goods and furniture left by Washington Hardware.

Victoria’s is currently located at 23 W. First Ave.