Here comes the Boom Town Coffee

SANDUSKY — Call it the tasty trio.The entrepreneurs operating a wood-fired pizza shop and a French-inspired cuisine restaurant in neighboring spaces plan to open a boutique coffeeshop within an adjoining vacant building.Sandusky city commissioners recently approved doling out $24,000 in public funds to Robert Hare so he can rehabilitate an empty building at 217 E. Water St.The funds offset an estimated $130,000 project, in total, to refurbish an empty structure, which includes facade improvements.Upon completion, Hare will lease the space to his tenants, Cesare Avallone and Andrea Avallone, so they can operate Boom Town Coffee at 217 E. Water St. this fall.Building upgrades allow the Avallones to whip up coffee- and espresso-based beverages. They'll also offer indoor and outdoor entertainment, such as live music.Boom Town will operate in a storefront next to Hearth Tavern and Zinc Brasserie, located at 213 and 215 E. Water St., respectively. The Avallones run these businesses in addition to Crush Wine Bar and Dockside Cafe.The project lines up with an newly launched citywide economic development initiative.Officials reserved $450,000 in local funds this year specifically to help either jump-start or reinvigorate commercialism in Sandusky.Like Boom Town, other area businesses — such as Berardi's Family Kitchen, Cameo Pizza, Hotel Kilbourne, The Leaking Boot, Soda Pop's, the Brick Gallery and Erik's Clothing for Men — also received similar grant funding for improvements.The intent "of the economic development program is to cause commercial districts to become more attractive and viable places to visit and shop," said Maria Muratori, the city's economic development specialist, who oversees this program. "This will spur increased investment, attracting more businesses and, hence, more employment opportunities to our community." Making sense of the dollars and centsSandusky city commissioners recently provided a grant to area entrepreneurs so they can refurbish a vacant storefront on East Water Street and open Boom Town Coffee.Among how the funding breaks down:• $106,000: private investment contribution• $24,000: grant money from city coffersSource: Sandusky economic development office Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOurielSandusky city commissioners recently approved doling out $24,000 in public funds to help private entrepreneurs establish Boom Town Coffee in downtown Sandusky, located next to Zinc Brasserie and Hearth Tavern. The money, among other items, will help improve the facade and exterior appearance on Shoreline Drive.