By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — The hits keep coming for Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce as it hosted its second ribbon cutting in the past week for a business to celebrate the use of the expanded facade grant program for downtown businesses.
The chamber and city of Warsaw doubled the amount available to businesses for the program this year and stores have taken advantage of the opportunity. Businesses can now apply for up to $10,000 in matching money for exterior improvements to their buildings.
On Tuesday, the owners of the property that includes Crystal’s Bar’lon Hair Styles for Men on Center Street celebrated the completion of a significant exterior renovation to its building which is home to two businesses and several upstairs apartments.
The building west of the library was significantly damaged by fire more than a year ago and renovations to the interior are continuing.
Earlier this month, the chamber celebrated improvements to the front entrance at Forte Residential on Lake Street.
Another facade grant ceremony is scheduled for later this week.
Scott Wiley, member relations manager for the chamber, said the desire to invest on the part of business owners is a good sign.
“I think people are kind of reinvigorated and seeing the value of being in downtown,” Wiley said.
Chamber membership is now around 730, Wiley said.
“We’ve got about 55 new members already so we’re on pace for maybe 120 new members this year,” Wiley said.
The chamber has seen a flurry of ribbon cuttings in recent weeks.
On Wednesday, Rock Steady Pizza Parlour celebrated its opening on Market Street, which happened last year.
Another new business, The Village Florist, opened on Market Street last week and had a ribbon cutting.
On top of that, Glam Boutique and Anthology are moving into newly renovated space, both located on Center Street and are close to opening. Glam is moving from its longtime location on South Buffalo Street While Anthology had been located a few storefronts to the west.
Maggie’s Coffee and Treats recently relocated and opened in the last few days.
And Mi Lindo Acalpulca, a Mexican restaurant that had operated a few doors down from Bar’lon for years, opened earlier this week at its new location on Market Street where HopLore had been located.
