Warsaw Community Development Corp. representatives presented Buffalo Street Emporium & Books owner Cindy Dobbins with a $1,887.22 facade grant on Tuesday, Dec. 28. The money will reimburse Dobbins 50% for what she’s expended to renovate the business’ exterior. From left: WCDC Board President Juli Eckel, Dobbins and Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce and WCDC Operations Manager Michelle Goble. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The owner of an 11-year-old downtown Warsaw business received some financial help on Tuesday, Dec. 28, toward sprucing up the store’s exterior.

Representatives with Warsaw Community Development Corp. presented Buffalo Street Emporium & Books owner Cindy Dobbins with a $1,887.22 facade grant.

The grant reimburses Dobbins 50% for money she spent on work improving the business at 116 S. Buffalo St.

“We had the front of the building refinished,” she said. “We had some signage put on the window and we had our brick tuck-pointed in the rear of the building. We still have a little work to do in the rear of the building, but we’ll wait for spring to do that.”

Dobbins said the building, which she co-owns with Jerry Opperud, definitely needed the revamp.

“The front of the building was desperately in need of refinishing because if you see the before and after pictures, you will see we desperately needed to do that,” she said.

Buffalo Street Emporium & Books opened in January 2010. Along with books, it also features a large selection of coffee and chocolates.

“I’m really pleased that the City of Warsaw is able and has continued to offer the facade grants for many, many years now and you know it’s not a lot of money, but sometimes it’s enough that just encourages that business owner to spiff up,” she said.

Hours for the store are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.