‘You can see a change’: Building improvements ongoing in downtown Wauconda

The vacant Middleton’s restaurant space in downtown Wauconda is getting a boost from a village incentive of up to $35,000 for upgrades with a requirement that a new operation be open by March 1.

The economic incentive agreement with DACT Holdings LLC for 110 S. Main St. recently was approved by the village board.

Middleton’s operated for more than nine years but closed in late December 2021. It’s been among the stubborn downtown vacancies the village has been trying to address in recent years.

The village will contribute half the cost or about $20,000 toward a new roof, which is underway.

Money also will be available for to-be-determined facade improvements, according to Village Administrator Allison Matson. The village will pay 65% up to a maximum of $15,000 for that work.

She said the building owner has a signed a five-year lease for a new restaurant. Per the incentive agreement, it must open by March 1, but the hope is it will be by the year end, she added.

Matson said the village hasn’t received a copy of the lease or liquor license application and has nothing to share on the potential future tenant.

The building owner is required to make at least $40,000 in renovations or remodeling projects to remain eligible for the grant. The building must be occupied for five years. If it is not, a portion of the incentive must be repaid.

Middleton’s is the second vacant restaurant space on Main Street the village has been trying to fill and considered acquiring by eminent domain as a last resort.

In May, the board approved an economic incentive agreement with owner Marie Goldman also amounting to $35,000 for repairs and renovations to the former Bulldogs restaurant in a corner building at 120-122 S. Main St.

She was reimbursed $20,000 to replace the HVAC system and $2,500 for driveway repairs. Up to $12,500 for facade work also is available.

Bulldogs had a lease agreement for a new tenant, Matson said, but that fell apart and Goldman is looking for another, she added.

Two other buildings in the immediate area are getting face-lifts through the facade grant program.

P.S. Flowers & Balloons, 135 E. Liberty St., got a fresh paint job with unused funds targeted by the same owner for a residential building next door, Matson said.

Also, a new roof, balconies and railings are underway at the Academy of Ballet, 105 S. Main St.

“You can really see a change in those buildings and there is a lot of energy on Main Street,” Matson said.