An existing business and one proposed have lost no time in seeking assistance from a new Allen County economic development fund, but first, guidelines for how the money will be awarded and a committee to winnow applicants have to be named.
Regina Lance came to Tuesday’s commission meeting with a well-prepared presentation outlining substantial upgrades to Mildred Store, the iconic business that at better than 100 years is among the oldest continuous establishments in the county.
The new business, which could be in operation by early 2018, is a restaurant in Gas. Russ Gardner and wife Tina want to capture the allure that was Bonnie’s for three decades. The Gardners recently moved from Linn County to a home near the Allen County Country Club.
Needed repairs at the Mildred store totaled $156,000. The first phase is for new lighting, insulation and a walk-in cooler, for a total of $16,000.
New insulation, at $5,500, “would reduce our extreme summer air-conditioning bills,” she said, which often run better than $1,000 a month. On average, utilities are about $600 a month.
Known for its sandwiches, piled dangerously high with meat, the store has become the go-to place for music and dancing the third Saturday of each month.
The affairs draw musicians from far and wide who play country or “whatever they want,” said Loren. “I’m 58 and when I was a kid they had music in Savonburg and I still remember it well. I want kids today to remember Mildred,” for the same thing.
The town, home to a thriving cement plant 100 years ago, has dwindled to the point of unincorporating and a population of about two dozen.
Loren said they, and others, were working diligently to “clean up the town” and make it more community-oriented.
“Your store is important to Allen County,” said Commissioner Jerry Daniels. “I think it would be a perfect candidate for economic development funding,” under the existing business upgrade category.
A LOST bid for sheriff of Linn County prompted the Gardners’ move to the Gas neighborhood.
“I was a deputy and didn’t quite make it,” Gardner told the Register.
His wife, Tina, had operated a restaurant, appropriately call Tina’s Place, for seven years before they moved. “It was a popular place, and I think when we get the Gas building all redone it will be, too,” he said.
He mentioned copper tubing carrying water and gas throughout the structure had been yanked out, apparently to sell for scrap, and the roof was leaking. Restaurant equipment belonging to the previous owners also was removed.
That leaves the Gardners with substantial work before they may think about reopening the restaurant, perhaps “a year away.”“I think you would be great candidate” for county assistance, Daniels told them as well.
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