Who: Ronald and Evelyn Rowland, retirees who spend part of the year in Maine and part of the year in Georgia

Where: North Main Village, Madison

Photos by Christopher Oquendo/Special (ENLARGE)

The layout with the living space on the ground level appeals to Ronald and Evelyn Rowland, who also like the high ceilings.

(ENLARGE)

A former Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Madison was converted into retail and residential space, including eight lofts with a central atrium.

GETTING THERE I-20 east toward Augusta. Take Exit 113 (Ga. 83/Monticello Highway) to Madison/Monticello. Turn left on Monticello Road. Turn right at Atlanta Highway, then bear left on Main Street/Ga. 12. Proceed through downtown Madison. Pass the Jefferson Street stoplight, and North Main Village will be on the right.

When purchased: February 2007

Their home: A two-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath loft in a former Piggly Wiggly grocery store converted into retail and residential space. It's walking distance from the shops and restaurants of historic Madison. It has soaring ceilings, up to 20 feet, and the master is on the main level.

Why there: The couple had been living on Swan's Island in Maine year-round. They decided that as they were getting older, they didn't want to experience the long cold winters, Evelyn said. A son who lives in Atlanta suggested that Evelyn check out Madison. "We knew we didn't want to go to Florida, but we hadn't decided exactly what we wanted to do," she said. "We did a quick tour, and I liked what I saw very much. I went home and told Ron about it. He said he'd never seen me so excited about anything." The next time both came to visit, in the spring, "they were getting the plans together for the condominium here in the Pig," she said.

Why it appealed to them: The layout suits them with the living space on the ground level. "Also, I'm not going to worry about a tornado coming through or whatnot because it's a big, sturdy building. And because of the thick walls and everything, the soundproofing is great," Evelyn said. "I don't think anyone will be bothered by our grand piano."

What they love about it: The high ceilings and closet space. "They did a very good job with that with a little help from me," said Evelyn, who asked them to move a closet.

What they do when they're there: Have family over, walk their dog, Samantha, and be involved in the community. They served as docents for the town's holiday tour of homes.

COMMUNITY OVERVIEW

The eight lofts are located in a former Piggly Wiggly that sat vacant for more than a decade. The two- to three-bedroom units in the redbrick building are priced $265,000-$355,000 and boast 20-foot ceilings, large windows and a master on the main. Amenities include covered parking, gated entrance and a central atrium. Four cottages located behind that building also are available, ranging from $235,000 to $340,000.

This charming town located about an hour east of Atlanta has a plethora of historic homes, more than 160 antiques stores and a stroll-worthy downtown with plenty of shops and restaurants. Madison has the largest designated historic district in Georgia, and Sherman's Army spared the town because it was the home of pro-Union Sen. Joshua Hill, according to the Madison-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce.

Feb. 21-23: 7th annual Madison Antiques Show and Sale, $5, Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, 434 S. Main St., Madison, 706-342-4743, www.madmorg.org.

April 26: Madison Fest, downtown Madison, 706-342-4454, www.madisonga.org.

Madison-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce

115 E. Jefferson St., Madison

706-342-4454

www.madisonga.org

North Main Village

315 N. Main St., Madison

706-769-6987

www.ccpartnersinc.com