Grants approved for new business taking over the former Manny’s Gelato location
HUNTLEY — As previously reported in My Huntley News, Barb and Chris Lincoln, owners of the Lincoln Farmstead (8401 IL-47, Huntley), had purchased the building located at 11808 Main Street that was previously occupied by Manny’s Gelato and Café, which closed for business on Jan. 15.
The Lincolns came before the Board of Trustees at the Jan. 12 Village Board meeting to present their vision for a proposed new business that they named Lincoln House & Co.
During the Jan. 12 meeting, Deputy Village Manager Lisa Armour told trustees that the Lincoln family would be adding some modifications to the exterior part of the building that would likely qualify for financial assistance through the village’s Façade Improvement Program.
With the Lincoln’s beginning reconstruction of the first-floor storefront, Barb Lincoln once again came before trustees at the June 8 Board meeting in hopes of getting reimbursement for the cost of some of those exterior improvements that so far total $7,724.
According to Director of Development Services Charlie Nordman, the Façade Improvement Assistance Program allows reimbursement of up to 50% of the project cost per property, which would allow for a maximum reimbursement of $3,862 for the Lincoln’s new business venture.
The motion for approval of the Façade Improvement Assistance Program grant to the Lincoln family was unanimous among the trustees present at that night’s meeting.
Next on the agenda was looking at two Small Business Assistance Program grant applications that the Lincoln family also applied for. The Lincolns applied to receive the Building Improvements and Upgrades Grant and the Business Start-Up, Location, and Expansion Grant.
Village staff explained that the Building Improvements and Upgrades Grant Program offers reimbursement of up to 20% of qualifying expenditures, with a maximum of $30,000. Eligible expenditures can include plumbing, electric, roofing, HVAC, flooring, drywall, bathroom fixtures, and fees.
Per the Lincoln’s application, the estimated total costs of eligible program expenses currently total to be over $133,000. The family requested a grant amount of $26,685.38.
As for the Business Start-Up, Location, and Expansion Grant Program, it offers reimbursement of up to 50% of qualifying expenditures, with a maximum of $20,000. Eligible program expenses include fixtures, equipment, furniture, and signage.
The Lincoln family’s application for the second grant included estimated start-up costs of over $80,000. The Lincolns requested the maximum $20,000 grant amount.
Following the presentation of the Lincoln family’s grant applications, Mayor Tim Hoeft asked the trustees if they had any questions or comments for Lincoln.
In response, Trustee Mary Holzkopf said, “I just want to say I love small businesses and I love this village and I love that you brought your small business to this village. You’ve already proven yourself with your Lincoln Farmstead and I’m really, really excited to see what this turns into. So, thank you so much for choosing us not once, but twice.”
Trustees John Piwko and Vito Benigno echoed Holzkopf’s comment, with Benigno adding that he was excited about having a glass of wine or two once the business is in operation.
“We really appreciate it. I mean opening up a new business is kind of scary and expensive, but knowing that you guys are willing to invest back in us and our business means a lot,” Lincoln told the trustees. “We think you’re really going to like what we’ve done to the building and just creating a cool space there and the patio next door is just awesome what you guys have done. So, it’s going to be really cool.”
Trustees, again, unanimously voted to approve the two Small Business Assistance Program grants.
Lincoln House & Co. will be a coffee and wine bar that will serve coffee, wine, smoothies, salads, sandwiches, and other small plate offerings. The Lincolns have not given an official date for when they plan to open for business.
