After no bids at auction, old Montgomery Ward building still vacant

A public auction for the Montgomery Ward building Saturday finished without a new buyer, despite the turnout of more than 20 people. 

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The building, at 34 Frederick St. in downtown Hanover, was constructed in 1929. And while seven people had signed up to bid for the 40,000-square-foot building, not one ticket was raised. 

Sheryl Hooks, of Thomasville Country Auction, said it's the first time she's held an auction where there was no bid. 

Starting at $200,000 dollars, Hooks worked her way down to $25,000 without a bidder. She asked the crowd to help her get started at some price, but there was no interest vocalized. 

After a moment of silence following the $25,000 question, Hooks said, "Thank you for coming out. What a shame, we didn't even get started here." 

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Robert Rauhauser, who purchased the building 10 years ago, had originally planned to convert it into a retail or restaurant space on the first floor, and residential apartments on the second floor, The Evening Sun previously reported. 

"I have no idea (what will happen next)," Rauhauser said after the auction. 

In both 2015 and 2017, the building was a subject for application for funding from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The project was dismissed when the funding did not come through. 

"It's in dire need of repairs inside," Hooks said in an earlier interview with The Evening Sun. "The interior is going to need a total rehab."