A local business owner takes her work home with her.

But the good news is it’s just a few steps away, and it’s in the heart of Audrain’s county seat.

Things were different in the yesteryear of the downtown square as businesses lined the streets, both upstairs and down. While Mexico’s square remains vibrant, the days of businesses being located on the second floor are a thing of the past. Upstairs of what is now Merle Norman was once bustling with local commerce, housing a dentist’s office and a beauty shop, among others.

Lana Baclese, owner of Merle Norman, reflects on her building’s past.

“There were a lot of small rooms,” Lana says. “Daisy's Beauty Shop, Dr. Cone’s Dentist Office and the Red Cross all had offices upstairs at one time.”

Those places are long gone, but life continues with a reimagined vision that has resulted in a stunning unconventional home. The vision for life across from the courthouse came simply and suddenly. 

Again, Lana reflects.

“As I was standing in the middle of the building looking out the front windows that overlooked the courthouse I had this vision of what a great apartment it would be,” Lana said. “I got really excited.”

Lana’s husband, Terry, wasn’t as sold - at least at first.

“Terry said, ‘You moved me to town now you want to move me downtown? I don't think so’,” Lana recalled. “So I dropped it.”

But while she ‘dropped it’, she appealed to a higher power.

“I told God if it was him (who’d inspired her) he'd have to give Terry the same vision,” she said. 

In the meantime, she would wait, silently vowing to not say another word about it.

It wouldn’t take long to get an answer.

“But a week or so later he (Terry) was upstairs moving things out that I couldn't do by myself,” Lana said. “He came downstairs and said, ‘That would make a really cool apartment!’” 

Message received.

“I still have to laugh about that because he acted like I never said anything,” Lana said. 

Work commenced.

“I think my dad thought we’d lost our mind,” Lana says.

And as work started, and continued, and continued some more, it took every bit of faith to push forward.

“Terry said, ‘I don’t think we’re ever going to get done’,” Lana recalls.

But it did get done, and years after its completion, it provides its residents with a treasured respite.

“Terry did it just like a job,” said Lana.

Starting each day in the early morning, breaking for lunch, and then returning to work in the afternoon, Terry Baclese put in his share of time. Old wiring was removed as were the plaster walls. The Air Force veteran had a definite plan and executed it.

“I think I heard the building sigh when the plaster came out,” Lana said with a laugh.

A dumpster was filled - mostly with the previously mentioned plaster - and what could be recycled was. 

“Walls came down, wiring and plumbing came out,” said Lana. “He (Terry) took out 18 tons of plaster.”

Layer after layer of paint was removed from woodwork, to later be refinished and reincorporated into the final product.

Lana fully believes it was a God-given vision, and provides additional evidence.

“We were about three months from finishing it and Betty Jo at Remax told us that she had someone that was interested in buying our house,” Lana said. “We had lived through remodeling before and really wanted to be done before we moved in.”

Houses were not selling well and Betty Jo (Sydenstricker) encouraged the couple, as the opportunity may be fleeting. 

“We decided to go forward,” Lana said. “ The second couple that looked at it wanted it. It was exactly what we needed to pay for the apartment.”

Credit goes to the guy upstairs.

“Again God did it!” Lana said. “They also wanted an extra month before we signed which was perfect for us.”

One-twenty West Jackson, Apartment 201, looks a lot different than it did when the Bacleses bought the business and building. Embarking on an extensive renovation, they found themselves questioning their sanity at times. But fueled on faith, resilience and the skills of a craftsman, the project proved to be the right decision.

Today, they enjoy downtown life and the proximity to shopping and dining opportunities, and they like the endless people-watching opportunities, especially during festivals and parades. And while there was some initial concern, living mere steps from Merle Norman has been a very good thing.

“It’s been quite an adjustment,” said Lana, “but we’ve really enjoyed it.”

Terry and Lana Baclese marked their 55th wedding anniversary in December. Terry continues to enjoy retirement, having served his country and working at a number of Mexico businesses. Lana continues to own and operate Merle Norman, a business she started working for in the early 1970s, ultimately buying it. 

“We certainly never dreamed we would do this when we bought the building,” Lana said. “It’s kind of a labor of love.”

And whether it’s the path to owning and operating Mexico’s Merle Norman, or the path to their home, it’s all part of a bigger plan, according to Lana.

“God's handprint was all over this adventure,” Lana said. “We love living downtown and wouldn’t change a thing.”