(April 13, 2017) The previous owner apparently left the building on 110 North Main Street, once home to both the Berlin Shoe Box and World of Toys, in poor condition. The Shoe Box closed in February and the toy store is in the process of moving to a larger space across the street in downtown Berlin.
New owner Sonny Nguyen promised to renovate the building with respect to the historic nature of the downtown. The Berlin Historic District Commission approved new signage and façade improvements for his new business, Main Street Nails, last Wednesday, but not before several on the commission delivered a note of caution.
Nguyen, who also operates OC Nails on 64th Street, said there was paint chipping off the exterior of the building and he had found a good deal of rotted wood both inside and out.
For now, he plans to replace what he can while waiting for more façade improvement funding to come through the town, likely next year. Nguyen said he wants to open as soon as possible.
He will take over the side of the building formerly occupied by Berlin Shoe Box. Patty Jean’s Boutique, currently on 116 Broad Street, will move into the other slot as soon as next month.
Commission member Mary Moore said the building was in the worst state of disrepair of all the businesses on Main Street. She said a rendering Nguyen presented to the commission did not go far enough in demonstrating his plans to rehabilitate it.
“A little rendering like this doesn’t really tell me what it’s going to look like. I want it to look true to the era and the period of the town,” she said. “I think we’re remiss if we don’t say it’s going to cost a lot of money.
“Everyone wants you to do well – I want you to do well,” Moore continued. “I just want to make sure … when you talked about a lack of finances that you have for this that you were aware this is a very expensive proposition.”
Moore said the commission had “listened to many young people” who came before the commission with good intentions, but did not realize the extent of what they were getting into when buying a property like the one on Main Street.
“It gets to be very complicated and it drags out what you’re trying to do. I’m just trying to be very open,” she said.
Nguyen said he understood what was involved and vowed to put his heart – and his wallet – into the building.
“I came to this country with no money,” he said. “I worked hard. I supported my two kids in college. When I say I’ll do it, I’ll do it.”
As evidence, Nguyen said he had already paid a lot of money to produce the rendering.
“That’s just a baby step,” Moore said. “This [drawing] is nothing.”
Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said she had spoken extensively with Nguyen. She said the town had exhausted its supply of façade grant funding, but she was almost certain more would be available next year.
If and when that happens, she assured the commission Nguyen would be at the top of the list to receive a portion. The matching grant provides up to $10,000 per applicant.
“We talked about how he wanted to make the building look beautiful and how he was excited to open his business here. He wants to fit into the downtown business community,” Wells said. “I truly believe that he intends to follow through on the plan.”
The commission granted unanimous approval of the façade improvements and the new signage, in separate votes. Nguyen said the sign would be the same size as the one hanging over World of Toys.
“Welcome to Berlin,” Commission Chairwoman Carol Rose said. “Work, work, work and get open.”
Also during the meeting, the commission unanimously granted approval for new lamppost lighting on 120 North Main Street, the future home of The Island Creamery. The ice cream shop could be open as soon as this week.
The commission voted 3-1 to grant approval for two light fixtures over the exterior signage at the Berlin Butcher Shop on 101 William Street.
One member, Betty Tustin, voted against the lighting because she thought they were unnecessary. She noted she voted against similar sign lighting during two previous instances.
New owner Sonny Nguyen promised to renovate the building with respect to the historic nature of the downtown. The Berlin Historic District Commission approved new signage and façade improvements for his new business, Main Street Nails, last Wednesday, but not before several on the commission delivered a note of caution.
Nguyen, who also operates OC Nails on 64th Street, said there was paint chipping off the exterior of the building and he had found a good deal of rotted wood both inside and out.
For now, he plans to replace what he can while waiting for more façade improvement funding to come through the town, likely next year. Nguyen said he wants to open as soon as possible.
He will take over the side of the building formerly occupied by Berlin Shoe Box. Patty Jean’s Boutique, currently on 116 Broad Street, will move into the other slot as soon as next month.
Commission member Mary Moore said the building was in the worst state of disrepair of all the businesses on Main Street. She said a rendering Nguyen presented to the commission did not go far enough in demonstrating his plans to rehabilitate it.
“A little rendering like this doesn’t really tell me what it’s going to look like. I want it to look true to the era and the period of the town,” she said. “I think we’re remiss if we don’t say it’s going to cost a lot of money.
“Everyone wants you to do well – I want you to do well,” Moore continued. “I just want to make sure … when you talked about a lack of finances that you have for this that you were aware this is a very expensive proposition.”
Moore said the commission had “listened to many young people” who came before the commission with good intentions, but did not realize the extent of what they were getting into when buying a property like the one on Main Street.
“It gets to be very complicated and it drags out what you’re trying to do. I’m just trying to be very open,” she said.
Nguyen said he understood what was involved and vowed to put his heart – and his wallet – into the building.
“I came to this country with no money,” he said. “I worked hard. I supported my two kids in college. When I say I’ll do it, I’ll do it.”
As evidence, Nguyen said he had already paid a lot of money to produce the rendering.
“That’s just a baby step,” Moore said. “This [drawing] is nothing.”
Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said she had spoken extensively with Nguyen. She said the town had exhausted its supply of façade grant funding, but she was almost certain more would be available next year.
If and when that happens, she assured the commission Nguyen would be at the top of the list to receive a portion. The matching grant provides up to $10,000 per applicant.
“We talked about how he wanted to make the building look beautiful and how he was excited to open his business here. He wants to fit into the downtown business community,” Wells said. “I truly believe that he intends to follow through on the plan.”
The commission granted unanimous approval of the façade improvements and the new signage, in separate votes. Nguyen said the sign would be the same size as the one hanging over World of Toys.
“Welcome to Berlin,” Commission Chairwoman Carol Rose said. “Work, work, work and get open.”
Also during the meeting, the commission unanimously granted approval for new lamppost lighting on 120 North Main Street, the future home of The Island Creamery. The ice cream shop could be open as soon as this week.
The commission voted 3-1 to grant approval for two light fixtures over the exterior signage at the Berlin Butcher Shop on 101 William Street.
One member, Betty Tustin, voted against the lighting because she thought they were unnecessary. She noted she voted against similar sign lighting during two previous instances.