La Foofaraw: Historic Downtown Plano Art Deco Property is For Sale

Downtown Plano’s La Foofaraw building, which dates back to the 1890s and the town’s earliest years, has been listed for sale. 

Commercial real estate agent Melissa French with Rogers Healy and Associates Commercial called the property rare, as these types of properties don’t often come up for sale. The property is co-listed with her partner Emma Allred.

The building, located at 1008 E. 15 St. was purchased in 2010 by Mona and Rick Crider but has a rich history in Plano. 

Mona Crider said the building was built in 1895 when Plano was forming and the town was a mule exchange. The building was used as a wagon shop until it was engulfed by fire. It was then restored as a salon. 

French said prohibition shuttered the salon and it was Mayes Cafe for decades and then utilized as Loves Photography in the early 2000s. Crider said the building was converted to an Art Deco style, similar to what one would find on Miami Beach, and said it is “very rare architecture” for downtown Plano. 

“It truly is a unicorn,” French said. 

Crider noted she removed the fake facade when she purchased it and was “thrilled” to see a lot of the original brick and Art Deco embellishment still intact. She said it took about four months to restore La Foofaraw — which translates to “frills and flashy finery” — to its original turquoise and black tiles. 

Crider said she spent years as an interior designer and knew it had to be restored to its original glory. 

“It screams the cupcake on the street, because it looks like a shiny cupcake,” Crider said, noting it is the only building in downtown Plano with neon lights. 

She said the site was approved not only once, but twice, by the Heritage Commission of Plano due to the nature of the building. 

When asked about the future of La Foofaraw, Crider said it should “go for another 100-plus years” as it has been an iconic part of downtown Plano. She also said that the building can be easily retrofitted to house any type of business. 

“I think it makes you smile,” she said. 

Please visit the following link to view the listing.