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The 1867 building at 101 S. Third St.
Geneva officials recently awarded just over $300K in American Rescue Plan Act funds (ARPA) funds to seven business properties in need of some level of rejuvenation.
Three of those businesses plan to use their funds to support historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects. Here’s what they have planned:
HoneyBird Restaurant
Transformation: The ownership team behind Riganato Old World Grille on State Street received over $38K to convert a historic 1877 building into HoneyBird, a new chicken-focused eatery.
Key upgrades: Funds will help support structural work and install ADA-compliant restrooms and a fire alarm system as part of a major renovation project.
Read more: Shaw Local article.
Caroline Shop and Interiors
Acquired property: The owner of Caroline Shop and Interiors purchased the 1867 building at 101 S. Third St. (currently home to Odalisque, and Artemisia) with a $14K grant.
Enhancements: Planned upgrades include significant interior work plus landscaping and balcony restoration. Artemisia will leave at the end of March and the revamped shop will plan to reopen in May.
Read more: Shaw Local article.
Niche Restaurant
Expansion plans: The award-winning Niche restaurant aims to expand into a neighboring retail space at 12 S. Third St. with $40K in ARPA funds.
Renovations: The project includes adding a new boutique retail concept, an ADA restroom, a bar and other furnishings, though the owner is still negotiating rent.
Read more: Shaw Local article.
Historic Fargo buildings
Agreement and locations: The owner of several State Street buildings in downtown Geneva received $200K in funds for upgrades. Occupying businesses include Town & Country Gardens, City Barber Shop, Galena Garlic Company, Stockholm’s, Bee Coco Candle, The Gift Box, DS Studio and Kernel’s Popcorn Shop.
Renovations: A wide variety of interior and exterior work is planned, including mechanical system upgrades, window replacements, façade restoration and much more.
Read more: Shaw Local article
We’ll keep an eye out for updates as these projects unfold, but it certainly sounds like downtown Geneva will look a little different this time next year.
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