Rundown Property Converted Into New Home of State Farm Insurance

A local businesswoman has converted a neglected piece of property on one of Enfield's busiest roads into a sparkling new home for her insurance agency.

Jo Ann Walk, who has operated the office in the Stateline Plaza for more than eight years, purchased a brick house at 131 Elm Street on Sept. 1, 2011, and performed extensive renovations for more than four months before opening on Jan. 9.

show that MSJ Walk, LLC bought the property for $230,000 from Peter Macher. The house, on the northeast corner of Elm Street and Freshwater Boulevard, is directly across the road from Walk's former office location.

Prior to the sale, according to Walk, the house had been a rental property, and the tenants did not properly maintain either the interior or exterior of the building, or the yard.

"One of the reasons I wanted to buy this house was because it was such an eyesore," said Walk. "I looked at it every day, and could see the potential for a much nicer property."

Letourneau Brothers Construction performed much of the renovation work, Walk said, adding she "invested a significant amount on the interior."

"I expect to be here for 30 years, so I wanted to do it right the first time," she said.

Enfield Mayor Scott Kaupin said, "The building complements the intersection, and for Jo Ann to renovate a neglected piece of property, it serves as a great example of what we can do."

A native of northwest Missouri, Walk moved after college to Bloomington, IL, where State Farm Insurance is headquartered. "They needed agents in Connecticut due to growth, so I moved to Enfield in July 2003," she said.

Walk has become extremely involved with the community since taking up residence in Enfield. She is an active member of the North Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and the Enfield Rotary Club, and serves as co-chair of the Roxy Burke Memorial Women's Scholarship golf tournament every September.

State Farm is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon. Walk can be reached in the office at 860-745-6500.