LACONIA — The historic Union Avenue location of Harris Family Furniture is set to be demolished, after the permit was approved by the city's Heritage Commission last week by unanimous vote.

“This breaks my heart. Taking down another building that is so beautiful,” said commission member Lois Kessin, who approved it reluctantly.

The commission approved the permit for the building at 460 Union, during a meeting at Laconia City Hall on Aug. 13. The demolition request came from leaders at Irwin Automotive Group, who operate a Hyundai dealership next door.

The permit approval is contingent on preservation of historical parts of the building, including tin ceilings, stained glass windows and a Victorian staircase. If preserved and stored, these pieces could potentially to be used in historica

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