Holly Main Street Facade Grants Bring New Signs to Historic Downtown
(Oakland County Times, April 8, 2024)
Holly, MI – Several businesses in Downtown Holly have new signs thanks to facade grants through Holly Main Street.
The Facade Grants program, established by Main Street Holly, provides financial assistance to business owners looking to improve the appearance and functionality of their storefronts. Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint, new signage, or repairs to aging facades, the grants aim to create more attractive and inviting spaces for both residents and visitors.
“We recognize the importance of a vibrant downtown area not only for economic growth but also for fostering a sense of community pride,” says Nick Klempp, Director of Main Street Holly. “By investing in the facades of local businesses, we’re not only helping them thrive but also creating an environment where people want to shop, dine, and spend time.”
“The impact of the Facade Grants can be seen across Main Street Holly, with several businesses taking advantage of the opportunity to upgrade their storefronts. Holly has changed so much in the last 15 years and has really become a quaint small town that everyone loves to visit. We are a small town and with that local businesses don’t always have the full funds to make some of their ideas come to fruition or really appreciate every bit of help they can get for the improvements.”
The improvements are always a breath of fresh air in an area that is continuing to grow by its designs as well as attracting more foot traffic and boosting sales for business owners.
This year’s grant awards went to five businesses in town.
Blackthorn Pub in downtown Holly, that is housed in one of Holly’s 1860’s buildings and was bought and renovated by the Kelly family in 2010 after it was left vacant, where you can get an offering of over 120 craft beers in bottles as well as 20 rotating beers on tap, and a full menu of scratch dishes
The Post Air BNB is a beautiful apartment decorated with vintage and new pieces, overlooking historical Battle Alley steps away from restaurants and shopping. This building was once home to the Holly Post Office.
Winglemire Furniture has been serving Holly and the surrounding area since for 165 years,since 1858! They are a long standing Holly family that are always very involved in supporting the business community and community at large.
Battle Alley Coffee is located in the middle of our downtown historic district- where a coffee shop should be! They roast 100% Arabica beans in house and avoid flavoring their coffees with the standard chemical processes so you can expect fresh, high quality, and great tasting coffee, every time. They also serve as a gift shop and gathering place for locals and out of town visitors alike!
Detroit Model Railroad Club moved into the old Holly Theater building in 1974 and have been a must stop see for locals and visitors ever since with Michigan’s largest “O” model railroad set up operating on 6500 feet of track!
Others have gotten signs in previous years, including Blue Willow Exchange, Holly Antiques, and Vintage Farm House – all of which add to the vibe of Downtown Holly as a destination for vintage, antique, and decor items.
The positive effects of the Facade Grants extend beyond individual businesses to the community as a whole. As storefronts are revitalized it further contributes to the economic vitality of the community, creating a ripple effect of growth and prosperity.
Battle Alley Coffee owner Linda Stouffer is excited for the new sign, and another on the way for the Battle Alley side of her corner-located shop. “When you see that sign from down the street, you know what it is. That was the whole goal,” she said.
Stouffer is in her sixth year of business. She also serves on the board of the DDA, which operates Main Street Holly. “The DDA helps create nice spaces and they run events to try to bring people into town,” she said. “It’s my job to bring them into the shop. Their job is to bring people into town; into Holly.”
She also applauded Calypso Signs, which is located right up Saginaw Street, for making sure the signs look great. “It’s nice to support another local business,” Stouffer said.
Looking ahead, Main Street Holly plans to continue its Facade Grants program each year as well as be able to offer other grants and support through their partners at Oakland County Main Street. By investing in the visual appeal and functionality of local storefronts, the organization remains committed to fostering a thriving downtown district that serves as the heart and soul of the community. Learn more at https://www.mainstreetholly.com/.