Five Businesses Along West 7th Receive Facade Improvement Grants

Roxanne Sanchez, owner of Nine Lives Thrift, located at 1165 West 7th, was in the midst of expanding her shop to the adjoining 1169 West 7th when she got the news that she’d have a little help.

“The timing is perfect,” she said. “We are expanding into the vacant space next door, formally Mojo Monkey. That process was more costly than expected.”

Nine Lives, along with four other businesses along West 7th, are the initial recipients of funding through the Revitalize West 7th program of the West 7th/Fort Road Federation.

The program, funded through the Neighborhood STAR program of the City, provided small grants for capital improvements to businesses facades. Business owners had to apply for funding through the Federation, but with less red tape than other programs available.

“The application was much easier than other grants we have looked at,” Sanchez Said. 

In addition to Nine Lives, the Federation is providing funds to Brake Bread, Tavial Grill, Healing Space and Country Club Vintage.

“This program is an investment in our local businesses,” Julia McColley, Executive Director of the West 7th/Fort Road Federation, said in a statement. “By making facade improvements more accessible, we hope to spur economic development and strengthen the neighborhood’s identity.” 

Upgrades business are planning include things like signage, patio upgrades and more.

“We are replacing our front door with something more accessible,” Sanchez said. “We are also getting a bike rack out front and new signage for our expanded space.”

Brake Bread said in their newsletter that they were planning to use the funding for install restrooms for customers using their new outdoor bus seating.

McColley said they had more applicants then they were able to fund, but she hopes they will be able to offer the program again in the coming years depending on funding.

Learn more at fortroadfed.org/revitalize-west-7th.