The long-vacant storefront of Shinders historic bookstore on Hennepin Avenue will soon be home to a prominent Minneapolis design firm and possibly a restaurant.

Shea, Inc. announced Wednesday that they just signed a 10-year lease for the space on 8th and Hennepin, which has been closed since 2007. The remaining artifacts from the 91-year-old bookstore were recently auctioned off.

Shea's services range from architecture to interior and graphic design. They have a hand in a multitude of current and past projects along Hennepin Ave.

The company will move their headquarters to the building in July 2012, occupying part of the first floor and all of the second floor. A news release states that there is a "potential restaurant tenant on the lower level."

The exterior stone and interior terrazzo floors will be restored, but Shea plans to "overhaul" the rest of the building.

The move into Shinders represents yet another development on Hennepin Ave., which is undergoing a major transformation. Downtown leaders hope to eventually transform it into an arts corridor.

"The businesses that are taking a chance on Hennepin just encourage more businesses to do the same, which creates more density and a vibrant downtown scene," councilmember Lisa Goodman said in a statement.

"Shea has been instrumental in helping to shape that scene and I love that they are walking the talk and not just designing spaces, but putting themselves and their employees in the middle of the excitement and helping to fulfill the vision for a changing and entertainment-focused Hennepin."

Below, Shinders in 1946.