Pictou putting its best face forward

Fresh look among businesses helped by new façade program

Fresh paint and new attitude is contagious in the Shiretown, says a local councillor.

Malcolm Houser said there has been a positive feeling in the town as new businesses open their doors and current owners do their spring cleaning.

“Once people see what is going on and what their neighbour is doing they get excited about it,” he said. “How can you drive into town and not say, wow, there is something happening.”

Houser said some businesses have taken upon themselves to freshen things up with a coat of paint, but six local owners have recently been approved by a new façade program offered by Pictou Business and Marketing and administered by the town.

It will see successful applicants receive up to $2,500 in funding to improve their storefronts.

The program is designed to encourage and assist property owners and/or their business tenants to renovate or upgrade those portions of their business that are readily visible to the public from the street.

Houser said the program has been so popular that nine other businesses are waiting for approval and applications are still

being accepted.

“One thing we are trying to do is find some additional money for it. We would like to see it continue,” he said, adding the town is doing its part as well by having

students paint the light posts along Caladh Avenue and work is expected to be done on the exterior of town hall.

Applications are available at the town office or by email.

SUEANN MUSICK/THE NEWS Sean Knowles of the Town of Pictou’s public works department installs new placards in the town so visitors and residents can learn some history about the town as they stroll through the streets. The placards have been there in the past but were...