Keller City Council approved three Chapter 380 agreements for those businesses at its Sept. 5 meeting.
The background
Chapter 380 agreements, as explained by the Texas comptroller’s website, are authorized by Chapter 380 of the Local Government Code, which allows municipalities to offer incentives designed to promote economic development, such as commercial and retail projects. Specifically, the comptroller’s site explained the code provides for offering loans and grants of city funds or services at “little or no cost to promote state and local economic development, and to stimulate business and commercial activity.”
The details
At the Keller meeting, the approved resolutions were for Keller facade improvement grants for the following business owners:
- Season Lambert, owner of Life is Sweet bakery, at 154 S. Main St., received a grant worth $9,219. Eligible improvements include exterior paint applied to the front and rear of the building as well as the installation of two awnings over the entrances of the building.
- Courtney Mair and Danielle Sinclair, owners of Swanky Chic Boutique, a woman’s clothing store located at 241 S. Main St., received a grant worth $10,000. Eligible improvements include exterior paint applied to the building, front steps and door; replacement of the railing on the north side of the property and the main entrance with a horizontal railing; installation of a mural and string lights to illuminate and beautify the utility area; creation of a landscape area on the north side of the building; new landscaping around the monument sign; repair and replacement of broken and dislodged stones on the monument sign; and replacement of the the siding on the front peak with cedar sake-style siding.
- Paul Sewell, owner of The Lucky Acorn, a boutique that sells clothing and other items at 152 S. Main St., received a grant worth $5,625. Eligible improvements include exterior paint applied to the front and rear of the building, including the window and door trims, as well as the installation of two awnings over the entrances of the building.
During a discussion with council, Sinclair said she and Mair used to operate the business out of their homes. The business has been operating for 10 years. The storefront opened up seven years ago this November.
“We have loved Keller,” Sinclair said. “We opened a few other locations over the years, but have since decided to get rid of those and stick with Keller. It is where our heart is, and it is where the majority of our customers are. And we just love it.”
Mair called the Keller operation the “bread-and-butter store,” and the most successful store, but the store does ship nationwide. She said renovations were just conducted at the store, and she would like the exterior to match the interior.
