The Bannockburn Store, built in 1881 and owned by the Stewart family, could be used as the base for an interior design and decorating business, if a resource consent application to the Central Otago District Council is successful.
Aimee Sherriff has sought permission to reopen the old store for retail activity, to alter the exterior of the heritage building to strengthen it and to breach parking and sign requirements.
Five submissions were received, all in favour of the proposal.
The council's hearings panel considered the application this week and reserved its decision on the matter.
Mrs Sherriff wants to use the building as a base for an interior design business and also, possibly, to manufacture arts and crafts on site and sell them.
Antiques and collectables could also be sold and the building used for exhibitions.
It would be open seven days a week, with two staff employed.
The building was a miners' co-operative in 1881 and operated as a general store, butchery and bakery.
In 1882, it was bought by James Horn, chairman of the Vincent County Council and a member of Parliament, and he owned the business for more than 30 years, selling it to D. A. Jolly and Son, grocers of Cromwell.
A relative of the present owner, the Stewart family of Bannockburn, took over the business in 1923.
Gordon Stewart and his siblings are the third generation of their family to own the building.
Mr Stewart's father, James, ran it as a general store until he died in 1971.
Since then, the building has been used as a fruit packhouse, housed a framing business and also been used for storage.
The family supported Mrs Sherriff's proposal, Mr Stewart said.
"The Bannockburn Store is one of the most important and prominent historic buildings in Bannockburn and forms a cornerstone of Bannockburn's historic and social fabric, " Peter Dymock told the hearings panel, on behalf of Mrs Sherriff.
The premises had been used for retailing for almost 100 years and the proposal would result in remedial work being done that was vital for the future of the heritage building, Mr Dymock said.
He submitted a sealed car park was unnecessary and would add $10,000 to the applicants' costs, which might jeopardise the viability of the project.
Council planning consultant David Whitney has recommended consent be granted, subject to 15 conditions, which include sealing the car park, restrictions on opening hours and no new signs being attached to the building.
