Downtown Businesses Get Helping Hand
When Whitney Dahlberg closes up her Market Street boutique on Sunday, she and her staff will pack up the floor displays of attractive handmade gifts. On Monday, a local firm is going to lay a new floor. The current one is uneven, chipped in places, and could become a safety hazard. She will also spruce up other items in the store with a new coat of paint, cleaning materials and some hard work. All the displays must go back up once the renovations are complete so she can open for business the following day.
Business owners work hard to keep downtown Frederick vibrant, so it’s nice to know some of them recently got a helping hand.
Six downtown businesses have been awarded matching grants by the Downtown Frederick Partnership under a program called Mission: Interior, now in its second year. As the title suggests, applicants must meet the criteria for interior renovations leading to business improvement. Through the Frederick Department of Economic Development, the Downtown Frederick Partnership has been able to access State community development funds with which to make matching grants of up to $5,000. This year, twelve businesses applied and six were successful.
“These grants are a great idea,” says David Price, Executive Director of The National Museum of Civil War Medicine. “Because each time a visitor comes into our museum we need to welcome them. Improving our front desk area invites them to stay a little longer.”
The National Museum of Civil War Medicine on East Patrick Street, pictured right, will receive a matching grant of $5,000. It will be used to replace a dilapidated cash wrap, improving the appearance of the reception area. This is the first project in a complete area redesign. Another extensive renovation is taking place at Upmarket Coffee on Market Street where a matching grant of $5,000 will be used to purchase and install a fire suppression system. A grant of $4,000 for floor replacement at The Muse, also on Market Street will address a safety concern.
Three smaller grants include $2,800 to Frederick Fudge and Ice Cream on East Street to install new electrical service and air conditioning for better temperature control. Frederick Coffee Company also on East Street has received a grant of $2,000 to replace 17 interior lights and two ceiling fans, and Pretzel & Pizza Creations on Market Street, pictured above, has received a grant of $700 to restore a tin ceiling original to the historic building. These businesses have collectively pledged a total of $40,000 in interior building investments. Grants include $500 for the Downtown Frederick Partnership Façade Improvement Program. [Photos by Gillian Grozier]
