Is Taunton looking spiffier? City helps these businesses get makeovers

Daniel Schemer, The Taunton Daily Gazette
·4 min read

TAUNTON — Josiana Monteiro had already been looking for a location in Taunton for her Cape Verdean-inspired restaurant and bakery, Islands Café & Bakery, for seven months.

Through the city’s Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD), she not only found an ideal place, located at 91 Weir St., but was also able to utilize a program called Sign & Fa?ade, which offered to pay the majority of the costs for a makeover of the building’s exterior.

Through the program Monteiro had the exterior of her business completely repainted — going from gray to green.

“The program allowed us to do it now, instead of years later,” said Monteiro, explaining, as a first-time business owner, she was on a tight budget.

She also had most of the costs for her business sign paid for through Sign & Fa?ade, which, she said, contributed to its high quality.

“I am pleased and very grateful for this program. It has helped me tremendously," she said.

AFTER the makeover: Islands Café & Bakery, 91 Weir St., Taunton, pictured in July 2023 after a makeover, was repainted and given brand new signage. The city’s Sign & Façade program paid 75% of the cost.
AFTER the makeover: Islands Café & Bakery, 91 Weir St., Taunton, pictured in July 2023 after a makeover, was repainted and given brand new signage. The city’s Sign & Fa?ade program paid 75% of the cost.
BEFORE the makeover: Islands Café & Bakery, 91 Weir St., Taunton, pictured in January 2023 before a makeover, was repainted and given brand new signage. The city’s Sign & Façade program paid 75% of the cost.
BEFORE the makeover: Islands Café & Bakery, 91 Weir St., Taunton, pictured in January 2023 before a makeover, was repainted and given brand new signage. The city’s Sign & Fa?ade program paid 75% of the cost.

What is the Sign & Fa?ade program?

“These businesses, likely, couldn’t afford this. They need the break and resources,” said Jay Pateakos, director of OECD, while giving a presentation about Sign & Fa?ade to the City Council on Oct. 10.

Pateakos explained the program started roughly two years ago through Mayor Shaunna O’Connell’s desire “to improve aesthetics” in business areas.

“The city needs these benefits,” said Pateakos.

"The program benefited my business immensely," said Keith Gendreau, owner of Mr. G's Hot Dog Connection at 400 Bay St.

Through Sign & Facade, his business had all its single-pane storefront windows and framing replaced with double-pane windows and new framing, as well as replaced the front entrance door.

Mr. James House of Style, located right next door to Mr. G's, also had its front windows and door replaced through the program.

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AFTER the makeover: Mr. G's Hot Dog Connection, 400 Bay St., Taunton, is pictured on Oct. 23, 2023, after a makeover that included replacing its front door and all its storefront single-pane windows and old framing with double-pane windows and new framing with the help of the city's Sign & Façade program.
AFTER the makeover: Mr. G's Hot Dog Connection, 400 Bay St., Taunton, is pictured on Oct. 23, 2023, after a makeover that included replacing its front door and all its storefront single-pane windows and old framing with double-pane windows and new framing with the help of the city's Sign & Fa?ade program.
BEFORE the makeover: Mr. G's Hot Dog Connection, 400 Bay St., Taunton, is pictured before a makeover that included replacing its front door and all its storefront single-pane windows and old framing with double-pane windows and new framing with the help of the city's Sign & Façade program.
BEFORE the makeover: Mr. G's Hot Dog Connection, 400 Bay St., Taunton, is pictured before a makeover that included replacing its front door and all its storefront single-pane windows and old framing with double-pane windows and new framing with the help of the city's Sign & Fa?ade program.

Derek Dagesse, landlord for both buildings, said the total cost of renovations for both Mr. G's and Mr. James was $48,000, with his having to only pay $12,000.

"It's a long-term investment," for both him and his tenants, he said, adding he couldn't have afforded this work without the city's assistance. "Not without raising rent."

"It's definitely made a difference. We have new clients that just now noticed us. They didn't know we existed before," said Amy Chaves, owner of Key to Beauty salon, located at 63 Tremont St. Through Sign & Facade, she had the signage for her business updated, new awnings installed over the front windows, and the windows tinted to protect clients from the heat and glare of the sunlight.

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AFTER the makeover: Key to Beauty, 63 Tremont St. Taunton, is seen here in October 2023 after a makeover that included updated signage, new awnings and tinted windows. The city’s Sign & Façade program covered 75% of the cost.
AFTER the makeover: Key to Beauty, 63 Tremont St. Taunton, is seen here in October 2023 after a makeover that included updated signage, new awnings and tinted windows. The city’s Sign & Fa?ade program covered 75% of the cost.
BEFORE the makeover: Key to Beauty, 63 Tremont St. Taunton, is seen here in June 2023 before a makeover that included updated signage, new awnings and tinted windows. The city’s Sign & Façade program covered 75% of the cost.
BEFORE the makeover: Key to Beauty, 63 Tremont St. Taunton, is seen here in June 2023 before a makeover that included updated signage, new awnings and tinted windows. The city’s Sign & Fa?ade program covered 75% of the cost.

What's the maximum grant amount?

Financed through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Sign & Fa?ade offers to pay 75% of the total cost, or $40,000 max, for exterior renovations, such as painting, sign and awning replacement, new doors and windows, or repairs to siding and brick.

People Incorporated reached the $40,000 limit with Sign & Facade for restoration efforts on the brick exterior of its Taunton office, located at 70 Main St.

“We’re really grateful for a program like this. We’re happy it was offered,” said Peter Daley, director of public relations for People Incorporated.

The total cost of the project at People Incorporated was $92,000 spent reviving the exterior of the building by replacing and repairing damaged brick. Daley added the project was something the company's administration wanted to do for some time, but the sharing of costs through the Sign & Facade Program "put it on the front burner and assisted in getting it expedited."

AFTER the makeover: People Incorporated, 70 Main St., Taunton, pictured in October 2023 after a makeover, had restoration work done to its brick exterior, with $40,000 of the total $92,000 cost paid through the city's Sign & Facade program.
AFTER the makeover: People Incorporated, 70 Main St., Taunton, pictured in October 2023 after a makeover, had restoration work done to its brick exterior, with $40,000 of the total $92,000 cost paid through the city's Sign & Facade program.
BEFORE the makeover: People Incorporated, 70 Main St., Taunton, pictured in August 2022 before a makeover, had restoration work done to its brick exterior, with $40,000 of the total $92,000 cost paid through the city's Sign & Facade program.
BEFORE the makeover: People Incorporated, 70 Main St., Taunton, pictured in August 2022 before a makeover, had restoration work done to its brick exterior, with $40,000 of the total $92,000 cost paid through the city's Sign & Facade program.

How many projects have been completed so far?

The city set aside $650,000 for Sign & Fa?ade. As of the Oct. 10 presentation, $259,000 has been spent on nine completed projects, with another $249,000 in the works for 10 other projects.

Regarding continuing to fund this program, Mayor Shaunna O'Connell said, "Our Finance Team is working to identify funding sources to continue the program once the initial funding is expended. We will continue to champion our businesses and provide the support they need to succeed."

Pateakos said businesses in Taunton are encouraged to apply.

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AFTER the makeover: Homes for Our Troops, 6 Main St., Taunton, pictured in June 2023 after a makeover, had its sign and awning replaced through the city’s Sign & Façade program, which covered 75% of the cost.
AFTER the makeover: Homes for Our Troops, 6 Main St., Taunton, pictured in June 2023 after a makeover, had its sign and awning replaced through the city’s Sign & Fa?ade program, which covered 75% of the cost.
BEFORE the makeover: Homes for Our Troops, 6 Main St., Taunton, pictured in February 2023 before a makeover, had its sign and awning replaced through the city’s Sign & Façade program, which covered 75% of the cost.
BEFORE the makeover: Homes for Our Troops, 6 Main St., Taunton, pictured in February 2023 before a makeover, had its sign and awning replaced through the city’s Sign & Fa?ade program, which covered 75% of the cost.

Who is eligible for Sign & Fa?ade money?

Here's who is eligible for Sign & Fa?ade grants:

  1. Businesses must be located in Taunton and in a low to moderate income area, based on the U.S. Census.

  2. Requested exterior improvements must comply with the city's building and zoning standards

  3. The owner must show necessary documentation proving ownership of the building

  4. The owner/applicant must have no outstanding city taxes or fees due to the city at the time of applying

All vendor quotes, exterior improvements and permitting are coordinated through the applicant and contractor. The OECD does not oversee these processes.

Costs are all up-front for the renovations. The property owners are reimbursed by the OECD upon submission of proof of payment to the contractor and a review by the city’s Building Department of the completed work.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton businesses get sign and fa?ade makeovers

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