MONROE - Work by Colony Brands to convert the former Walmart store on 8th Street in Monroe to office space is continuing.

Colony Brands Inc. began a "Going Green campaign several years ago, according to a company news release. In keeping with the philosophy of "re-use, recycle," the company purchased the former Walmart building on Monroe's west side in early 2013 to repurpose as office space.

A lot of thought and planning is going into the project; even though it's progressing slowly, Colony Brands executive staff said the building will be renovated soon.

The 90,000-square-foot building will be home to the company's Catalog Merchandise Center (CMC) once it is retrofitted and remodeled, said Colony Brands president John Baumann.

The CMC is the division that evaluates product samples for possible inclusion in one of the many catalogs produced by the company. Quality Assurance and Packaging staff members work closely with CMC staff and will be joining them in the new building.

Products will not be offered for sale at the new location.

The company plans to eventually add on the existing building to accommodate several other departments, including Merchandising and Global Sourcing, which also work with the CMC staff.

When construction is completed, a public open house will be planned so the public can tour the new facility. That event is anticipated in next summer or fall.