Rome businessman Piero Barba said he is simply testing the waters with the listing of his building in the 400 block of Broad Street. He’s apparently not alone.

Agents at Toles, Temple and Wright Real Estate are currently marketing at least half a dozen buildings on Broad Street.

Barba, who recently transferred ownership of the LaScala restaurant at 413 Broad St. to his son Anthony Barba, said, “I just wanted to explore the market, but I’m not selling anything.”

Barba acquired the building at 413, 415 and 417 Broad St. in 2007. Mario Armas, Robert Naguszewski and Joe Walstad previously owned it. Thirty years ago, the building housed the G.C. Murphy drugstore.

In addition to Barba’s restaurant, the building also houses the National Copiers business and a Merle Norman Cosmetics studio.

When Barba acquired the building several years ago, he explored the possibility of apartments over the 415 and 417 lots, but he put any plans he had on hold when the economy took a turn for the worse.

In addition to the Barba property, Toles, Temple and Wright agents are listing buildings at 114 Broad St., owned by John Massey; 130 Broad St., owned by Cartersville developer Ron Goss; 239 Broad St., owned by 239 Broad Street Partners; 240 Broad St., owned by Jackson Norton; and 527 Broad St., owned by the J.L. Todd estate.