CLAYTON – The Town of Clayton’s Façade Grant Program is revitalizing Downtown Clayton, creating a more vibrant and welcoming environment for both residents and visitors. By assisting businesses in improving their storefronts, the program is strengthening the sense of community and making downtown a more inviting destination.
Recent grant recipients have breathed new life into the area, offering revitalized spaces that reflect the Town’s character and charm. Leaf Plant Shop (112 North Church Street) stands out with a new layer of paint, adding a fresh visual dimension to the heart of downtown.
Owner Amy Read noted, “When we first opened, customers had trouble finding us because the building blended in with its surroundings. After learning about its history, we realized it deserved to be highlighted. Built in 1911, it’s a significant part of Downtown Clayton’s past. It even once served as the Town’s post office.”
The impact of façade grants are felt not only by business owners but by the entire downtown community. Following a complete revitalization of the entire historic Carroll Building, the buildings lower-level tenant, Fare Game (218 East Main Street, Suite 101), has used the façade grant to transform its storefront into an inviting gathering place with new signage, lighting, and a back patio for outdoor dining. The improvements have helped shape its identity, and the business was recently recognized with the 2024 Best New Downtown Business Award, presented by the Clayton Downtown Development Association.
Meanwhile, BLVD West (316 East Main Street) and Burney’s Sweets and More (312 East Main Street) have created open, inviting spaces with retractable windows that connect their interiors to the vibrant street life.
Jaclyn Finn, co-owner of BLVD West and Burney’s Sweets and More, emphasized the broader impact: “Creating an inviting outdoor space isn’t just for business. It’s about fostering connections within the community. That’s the experience we wanted to offer downtown.”
Oisin Finn, co-owner, expressed the importance of the façade grant in realizing their vision: “The grant made it possible for us to work with the property owner to bring our ideas to life without compromising our concept. We’re grateful for the support that helped make this transformation happen.”
The program supports exterior improvements such as awnings, signage, lighting, surface cleaning, and repairs to mortar or cornices. Grants of up to $2,500 per public-facing façade, with a maximum of $15,000 per property per year, are available on a 50/50 matching basis. Over the past five years, more than $100,000 has been invested in enhancing more than 25 properties.
Administered by the Town’s Downtown Development Advisory Board, the program is guided by the Design Committee, which reviews applications before they are approved. Applications are accepted on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis until the $25,000 in annual funding is fully distributed.
Why can’t Smithfield do this instead of wasting money on “toilets on Market street” and a $40,000 neon sign in front of town hall?
Would be great if store owners could pay for their own upgrades instead of taxpayers.
This shows your lack of understanding on how things like this benefit both the town and the owners. Clayton’s grant program is investing in these businesses to not only help the owner (and/or future owners), but to also improve and invest in Clayton’s downtown to bring in more businesses, which brings in more customers, which brings in more tax revenue, which ultimately benefits everyone. I would much rather support local businesses than drive to Raleigh or elsewhere further away.
I’m sure another way to pay for this could be found that wouldn’t burden the taxpayer.
That being said, it doesn’t matter how nice that half of main Street becomes as long as the other half is not made to clean up that eyesore of a mess – and you know who I’m talking about!