Polly Helps Transform Old Hamilton Train Depot Into Place of Health & Beauty

We saved the best for last. The final 'Let's Get Started' took us to an old train depot in Hamilton, New York that is getting a third-generation makeover.

Russell Ray bought the old train depot when he came home to Hamilton from World War II. He transformed it into Ray's Wayside, a home decor store with furniture, flooring, and paint.

From Home Decor to Custom Framing

The property may have changed hands years later, but it stayed in the Ray family. "An uncle turned it into a business that framed photos from all over the world for 30 years," said Russell's grandson Tucker Ray.

Now Tucker and his brother Colin have purchased the building that has sat empty for over 5 years and plan to transform it again. This time, into a place of health and beauty.

Brouillette Construction

Brouillette Construction is helping the Ray brothers turn their dreams into a reality, creating 5 separate retail spaces inside while sprucing up the outside. I got to help with the latter, painting boards under the tutelage of Dalton.

Teamwork makes the dream work. Despite getting more paint on my pants and apparently my face, Dalton and I managed to finish in what I'd call record time.

RW3 Depot

The third-generation business will be called the RW3 Depot with 5 different spaces. "My daughter will have a place that focuses on eyelashes and nails. My wife will offer spray tanning, microblade eyebrows, and a small sauna. My cousin is planning a barber shop," said Tucker. "It really is a family affair."

There will also be a beauty salon and a marijuana dispensary when the license is approved.

Need some help getting started or finishing your own project? We want to help with a gift card from Curtis Lumber.