Halbach has a unique vision when it comes to seeing the potential in a historic house or a commercial building that “needs a little love.” During his daily drive down 9th Street to get to his previous downtown office, he says he would always pass an old building at 100 South Grange Avenue. “I always passed by the building and thought, ‘ That would be an awesome neighborhood restaurant ,’” remembered Halbach. Halbach says it reminded him of traveling in metros like Minneapolis and Denver, where he would visit historic residential neighborhoods that had quaint commercial districts. “I would always seek out these historic neighborhoods to gawk at the architecture and homes, then would try and find a local restaurant or bar to relax in after my visit to the neighborhood,” he said. “Sioux Falls didn’t really have anything comparable.” The 1908 structure was built by Peter Effting , initially operating as the Effting Grocery Building with the grocery store on the main floor and the family residence on the second floor. In 1934 the name changed to Lincoln Grocery , which operated until 1954, and the building was vacant until 1961 when the main level was converted to a residence. “At around the same time [of the conversion,] the exterior of the building was covered in stucco, including covering the front entrance to the building,” Halbach recalled. “It operated as a residential duplex until 2022 when we started our restoration of the building.” This was the first project Halbach says he purchased without even seeing the inside. “I think there are a lot of people in town that thought I must be crazy to have purchased it when I did, but I don’t think you can argue with how it turned out,” he laughed. The building was awarded a $95,000 grant through the Façade Easement Program . “I couldn’t have done the project without the support from the City of Sioux Falls and their Façade Easement Program,” said Halbach. “Those dollars were instrumental in the rebrick of the building and acquiring quality, period-appropriate materials to finish the exterior, including windows, doors, and lighting.” anything but a façade
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