The historic building in the center of Hinckley is thriving again as Binky Commons

By Laura Briedis

After sitting vacant for years, the original general store in the center of Hinckley is again a thriving destination thanks to Karl Kastl III, owner of Vent Heating & Cooling, and Thomas Vanover, a journeyman carpenter and chief building official for the City of Cleveland.

These two professional tradesmen have turned this 1840s structure into Binky Commons, which now houses a donut shop, a barbershop, a law office, two apartments and the Vent Heating & Cooling offices. There also is a 400 square-foot retail space available adjacent to the back patio, along with plans for other future expansion.

“After 30 years in the construction industry, this is the most satisfying project I have ever been involved with. We took something that was literally just minutes away from the wrecking ball and gave it new purpose,” says Thomas.

“We know how important this corner building is to Hinckley,” adds Karl. “I live in the city and work in the city, so this is part of me.”

When renovating the building, Karl found a treasure trove of objects in the building’s walls and crevices—dating back decades—including a box filled with old Binky cartoons.

It was these cartoons that were the inspiration behind the name given to the new 7,200 square-foot, mixed-use building located on the corner of Route 303 and Ridge Road. Born on a drawing table in 1981, Binky was created by Karl Kastl Jr., a former litho artist at American Greetings, who drew monthly cartoons for the local Hinckley newspaper. Now, his son, Karl Kastl III, who is a bit of a nostalgic buff, is bringing Binky and the building back to life.

The main building renovation began in March 2019, and in June 2021 the adjacent donut shop was renovated after a car crashed through the front wall. The two-year-long renovations encompassed new electrical systems, plumbing, mechanical systems and structural reconstruction of the 180-year-old foundation.

Now completed, the donut shop and barbershop are buzzing with activity and drawing residents back to the city center.

Binky Commons is located at 1388 Ridge Road in Hinckley.