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SALEM -- A groundbreaking for the renovation of a historic Salem building is scheduled for Thursday.
The property located at 138-146 S. Broadway Ave., which used to house the Schwartz Department Store, will formally begin its renovations with a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday at 11:30.
Once renovations are completed, using a $700,000 investment "made possible in part" by the receipt of Ohio Historic Tax Credits, the building will house the OG, "a new casual upscale beer, and wine retailer and bar." The OG, "partially named for the brewing and winemaking term Original Gravity," intends to open its doors to the community in spring, according to a press release. The building is also slated to house the Black Cate Cafe and a second-floor apartment.
"I am excited to open on South Broadway, soon there will be more reason for people to visit downtown to eat, shop and meet friends," said The OG owner Scott Larrick.
According to the release, these renovations are the first of "a multi building renovation on South Broadway Avenue," with the goal of creating an "entertainment district," on Broadway. The overall project will renovate five buildings in total including three on South Broadway, and will "significantly leverage" $1.7 million in state and federal grants and tax credits in addition to private investment "to bring the total investment to more than $6 million." Additionally, these projects are expected to create 50 jobs "in the heart of Salem."
"We thank the State of Ohio's Historic Tax Credit program as it makes it possible to invest in the older, historic buildings of Ohio's smaller towns. Without the tax credits, many of these renovations would not be possible," said property owner Joe Hovorka.