the building next door as well. As it turned out, this second property was in much worse shape than the first. In fact, in the minds of many residents, 149 Broadway was the biggest eyesore on the street. “The building had definitely fallen into disrepair but we felt if we had the chance, we could give it new life and the whole block would benefit,” says Wendy. “I’m so grateful to John and Wendy for making the invest- ment here,” says Trinkets Gift Shoppe proprietor and main floor tenant Carrianne Hall. “The tin ceilings, the exposed brick, the chandeliers – it’s perfect.Custom- ers come in and they’re amazed at the transformation.” In total, John and Wendy have invested in five mixed-use com- mercial properties in the down- town area in the last five years. To make exterior improvements to their properties, John and Wendy applied for and received funding from the BIA’s Façade Improvement Grant program. Created in partnership with the Town, the grant provides up to $10,000 in matching funds for approved exterior improvements in the C-1 commercial zone. After selling one of their fin- ished properties last year, Wendy wasted no time looking for a new renovation project. “I still have the reno bug,” she says with a smile. “If someone told me tomorrow that I could buy another building, I’d be open to it. Definitely. But so far, noth- ing is available so I’m kind of in a holding pattern.” “Wendy cares deeply about this community and when she sees
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