The Italianate building at 112 Walnut Street is one of the oldest commercial sites in Hudson. Built before the Civil War, it first housed a dry goods store and later a harness and leather shop. At one time it was owned by Jesse Grant of Galena, Illinois, father of General Ulysses S. Grant. It was the only structure in the business district to survive the devastating Great Fire of 1866. In 1894, when the Star & Times newspaper moved into the building, cast iron columns flanking the front entrance were installed, manufactured locally by Henry Orme's North Hudson Foundry. The facade was also updated, with large front windows added, including a stained glass star above the front door. After 93 years there, the newspaper, later called the Star Observer, moved to Locust Street. In 1989, Hollis and Sylvia Grubb bought the building and opened the Valley Bookseller, which later became Downtown Books. In 1998, Rebecca Erickson and John Mingo became the new owners. In 2002, the facade, which had been painted in the 1940s, was restored to the original late-1800s brick and mortar.