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The $1.5 million of grant money would help renovate 2nd Street from Plum Street Lane to Poplar Street. That would add parking spaces, help them repave the roads, and add new crosswalks and lighting.
Brian Ochoa, owner of the Gentry, bought the shop 5 years ago and says downtown needs more restaurants and more shops. He hopes the new renovations will bring in more businesses by connecting downtown to other areas through 2nd Street.
“We need a link to Mercer. We need that youth downtown,” said Ochoa.
Both Ochoa and Nichols say they're committed to staying in the city and growing their business here, especially when they see the county trying to invest in the downtown space.