WINSTED — Thirteen local businesses have been chosen for a facade improvement grant program and five businesses for a business start-up grant.
Town officials in January announced that Winsted would invest $150,000 into facade improvements around town and $100,000 into new business start-ups through competitive, forgivable loans. The funding is from a Building Healthier Communities grant from Hartford Healthcare/Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and the American Rescue Plan Act.
At that time, Town Manager Josh Kelly asked to expand to the facade improvement program, allowing more businesses to apply for funding. The total awarded for round one of the facade improvement program is $1,257,248.
Kelly on Thursday announced the recpients of the first round of grants from those two programs.
“Winsted’s Main Street and surrounding downtown area has a lot of forward momentum right now,” Kelly said. “With our new business and marketing investments, we encourage our current residents and businesses to get excited about Winsted’s redevelopment, and we warmly invite any and every prospective business owner to come be an active part of Winsted’s up-and-coming downtown renaissance.”
All awards are secured with a promissory note, and all award recipients are required to meet very stringent guidelines to have their loans forgiven, Kelly said. Unforgiven loans are due back to the town 395 days after the promissory note is signed.
Facade Improvement Program recipients:
35 Willow Street has been awarded $20,000 for the purpose of replacing “the existing window frames and glass” at the site. The owner of the property is Joseph J. Miller, a Winchester resident, who said he expects that the total project cost to rehabilitate that building will total over $900,000.
The Tributary Restaurant at 17 Rowley St. was awarded $20,000 to improve “vinyl siding and window awnings, patio awnings, and updates to outdoor lighting and signs.” The owner of the property is Voula Ignatiadis, a Winsted resident. Ignatiadis expects the total project cost at $40,000.
58 Main Street was awarded $10,000 for complete renovations to the inside of the commercial space at that site. Live.At Home, a new business awarded a start-up loan, has secured a loan to move into this space once renovations are complete. The owner of the property is Impetus Properties, LLC. Impetus expects that the total project cost to be $35,000.
Laurel Lanes, 266 Main St., was awarded $10,000 to fix and refinish all 12 bowling lanes, replace machines and equipment at the end of their useful life, make furniture upgrades, purchase more game stations such as pool tables, and more. The owner of the property is Tony Hang, a West Hartford resident. Hang expects the total cost of this project at $91,997.90.
R&B Sports World, 19 Rowley St., was awarded $10,000 to upgrade the space to house and run a new laser tag system. The owner of the property is Rachel Gagnon, a Winsted resident. Gagnon expects that the upgrades will cost at least $35,000.
The Gilson Cafe & Cinema, 354 Main St., received a $10,000 award to install a sprinkler system that will allow the facility to continue expanding future entertainment possibilities. The property is owned by Alan Nero, a Winsted resident. Nero projects the total cost of the project will be $131,854.86.
Whiting Mills, 100 Whiting St., received a $10,000 award to replace windows at the property. The property is owned in part by Alexandria Evans, a Norfolk resident. Evans projects the total project cost at $29,854.51.
Mario’s Tuscany Grill, 556 Main St., was awarded $10,000 to replace siding on the building with stucco and a new awning and sign. The owner of the property is Gutic Hadisa, a Winsted resident. Hadisa projects the total cost of the project at $49,500.
McGranes on the Green, 37 Park Place, was awarded $10,000 for the replacement of stucco siding, adding cover window trim and overhangs with aluminum trim. The owner is Timothy McGrane, a Winsted resident. He expects the total project to cost $40,000.
Beacon Prescriptions, 294 Main St., was awarded $8,000 for the replacement of awnings on the front and sides of the building. The property is owned by Lori Bittel, a New Hartford resident, who expects the total project at $8,041.12.
King, King, & Associates, 95 North Main St., was awarded $7,500 for the replacement of windows and a door at that address to make vacant space on the premises ready for use. The property is owned by Robert King, a New Hartford resident. Mr. King expects the total improvement cost at $12,000.
The Railway Cafe, 580 Main St., was awarded $7,500 for the creation of outdoor eating areas and a walk-up ice cream window. The business is owned by Carrie Stetson, a Winsted resident. Stetson expects the total cost of the project to be approximately $10,000.
88 Elm St., home of Williams Chiropractic, received a $7,000 award to replace damaged and worn out carpet throughout the main floor of the building. The property is owned by Matthew C. Williams, a New Hartford resident, who expects that the total project cost at $14,000.
Business Start-Up Program:
Cura di se, a new nutrition club that will serve “the community in multiple ways from food service to personal health,” was awarded $10,000. The application was made by Rebecca Corcoran, a resident of Winsted. The owner expects as many as five jobs will be created as a result of this business opening.
Live.At Home, a new artisan market, will “provide a space for artisans to showcase their home decor and gift items for sale in a tastefully appointed space.” This proposed business has been awarded $10,000. The application was made by Jacqueline McNamara, the owner of another Winsted business, Live.Be You (located at 396 Main Street). McNamara has secured a lease for Live.At Home at 58 Main St. Winsted.
The Greenhouse Bed & Breakfast, a new lodging business, will open at 21 Fairview Avenue, Winsted, using a $10,000 award. Alla Kravchenko, a Winsted resident, applied for the funding.
Laurel City Expressive Performing, a new performing arts business, will open at 15 Case Avenue in Winsted with the help of a $10,000 award. The application was made by John Noone, a Winsted resident. The owner expects as many as five jobs will be created as a result of this business opening.
Tipi, a new bar and restaurant, will open at 898 Main St. with the help of a $10,000 award. This application was made by Bernard & Jill Fourie, Winsted residents. The owners expect as many as 11 jobs will be created as a result of this business opening.
To read more about the Business Start-Up and Facade Improvement Forgivable Loan Programs, go to www.townofwinchester.org/2022InvestmentPrograms. To learn more about the submitted applications or to obtain contact information for the awardees, email Town Manager Josh Kelly at [email protected].