Downtown Façade Grants Approved for 130 & 424 E Main Street

The Clayton Downtown Development Association recently approved the first Downtown Façade Improvement Grant applications of the new fiscal year for projects at the former Little Shop at 130 E Main Street and Olde Town Supply at 424 E Main Street. “Each of these projects will have a major visual impact in their blocks,” according to Jeme Avent, Co-chair of the DDA’s Design Committee, and she said, “Add to the continued improvements in downtown Clayton.” Both properties are owned by Doris Parker.

424 E Main Street, Olde Town Supply Co













The existing canopy will be removed and no awning or canopy will replace it. The exterior wall will be repaired above the existing canopy. The front, west façade and east facing wall along the driveway will be repainted. The window and door trim will be painted and the existing vinyl fencing samples will be removed and not replaced.

The upper cornice will be repaired and replaced as necessary and extended above the front doors and to the western side of the building. This will all be painted the same color as window and door trim. Gutters will be installed to replace the existing system to keep water from draining onto the sidewalk.

The DDA’s Design Committee recommended planting several Sky Pencil Japanese Hollies along the eastern side of the wall to break up the expanse of the wall. They also recommended painting a new Olde Town Supply sign directly to the building wall, which will provide an interesting look to the sign and help break up the expanse of the wall.




130 E Main Street, formerly The Little Shop / Linda’s













The existing aluminum canopy will be replaced with a standard, black canvas awning over the transom windows. The existing transom windows will be replaced with clear glass (no mullions or dividers) and wood or aluminum framing. The exterior front façade brick will be repainted an Ashley Gray and the trim around the windows and cornice will be painted black. The west brick wall will be cleaned and treated and left unpainted. The signboard will be prepared for new signage installation and signboard lights will be installed above.

Black, wrought iron flowerboxes will be installed in front of each window. They will be less than 12” deep and not exceed the height of the bottom of each window. A matching wrought iron fence will be installed from the west corner of the building along the front of the property adjacent to the building.

According to Ms. Avent the application process is fairly simple: Complete the application, in which the property/business owner describes the proposed improvements, provides at least two cost estimates, with color and material samples and submit it to Downtown Development Coordinator Bruce Naegelen, who is also available to help complete the application. He will review it to make sure the application is complete and then the DDA Design Committee reviews the application. Once a project is approved the applicant has 6 months to complete it. The Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program is funded by the Town of Clayton.

Click here to review the application and process, visit www.townofclaytonnc.org and go to the Business Development page under Downtown. For more information, please contact Bruce Naegelen at (919) 553-1545 or bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org.