The house of merchant Ivan Nikulichev stands out among the architectural diversity of the center of Ustye and invariably attracts the attention of tourists. Built in the ancient Russian style with elements of eclecticism, as noted in the preservation documents, it resembles a European castle with tall windows, turrets, and spires. More than a hundred years ago, this was a trading house.

The newspaper "Severnaya Nov'" reported that the successful merchant was initially not allowed into the trading Ustye. Rumor had it that he had become rich through dishonest means and was an ambitious and misunderstood figure to the locals. The authorities did not permit him to build shops and houses in the center of the village. But Ivan Nikulichev, a man not easily intimidated, did not give up and agreed to all conditions. He was told: "If you build a house in one day, the place will be yours." The next day, at the crossroads near the Kubena River, a solid wooden building stood, with smoke rising from its chimney. How the merchant managed this is only a matter of speculation; perhaps the structure was cut down elsewhere and transported, but he accomplished the task. By the way, the two-story house now houses the café "Traktir na Sovetskoy," under its modern cladding are huge logs typical of northern buildings from the 19th century.

The stone mansion, which later became the trading house of Ivan Nikolayevich Nikulichev and his sons, was built next to the wooden house. Frequently traveling abroad, he became acquainted with the history and architecture of other countries. The Nikulichev mansion, with its named weathervane on the spire, turned out to be unique. The wealthy merchants also owned houses in Vologda and the village of Lakhmokurye.

The well-known family trading house owned sawmills, glassworks, a chemical plant, and a brick factory, and had tugboats and cargo-passenger steamers. The merchants engaged in the trade of grain and manufactured goods, as well as passenger transportation. In terms of capital size, number of enterprises, and trade turnover, the Nikulichevs had no equals in Ustye, Kadnikov, or even Vologda.