Curves receives facelift with help of DDA grant

It’s the services and friendly faces within downtown’s Curves building that keep its loyal membership returning to its doorstep every week.

That’s not to say that the outside doesn’t deserve a little TLC now and again, though.

Over the last few weeks, the storefront has received a radical transformation, switching out its green siding and purple awning for powder blue siding with white trim, topped off with a wooden sign above the entrance way. The improvements were installed by contractor Nick Fryman, who was hired by owner Linda Preston to perform the overhaul.

“The old siding on the front of the building had been there forever,” Preston said. “I’ve been working in the building for the last 12 years. I finally decided that it was time for that ugly green siding to go.”

The building had improvements made to it as well, including repairs to its roof and upstairs windows, which were damaged in the major windstorms that hit the city in November 2013.

Preston said the facelift gives her building a more historical look that is reflective of the period it was built in 1907.

“We wanted it to fit in better with the other buildings downtown,” Preston said.

Preston bought the women’s fitness center in 2007 and acquired the building itself a short time later.

Curves was one of several businesses that benefited from grant money from the Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority’s Façade Incentive & Architectural Design Services Program this year.

Reintroduced this year by city council, the authority has received eight requests for funding of up to $2,000, which must be matched by the business receiving them. In April, the three-person committee awarded $1,312 to Toysa True, owner of the Shabby Bou-Chic thrift store.

“Without the support of the DDA I wouldn’t have been able to make these improvements,” Preston said. “It’s great that the city supports us, to help us make our storefronts look even nicer.”

The fresh coat of paint is already starting to turn a few heads, as a number of women have complimented her on the new look, and a few have told her they are interested in becoming members. With new programs on the way in time for the new year, Preston is hopeful that business will increase in 2015.

“We serve a certain population here in the community,” Preston said. “Most of my ladies say they wouldn’t workout if they couldn’t come here. It’s important that we continue to stick around.”