The Citizens State Bank building in downtown Shawano. PC: Fox 11 Online
SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A 132-year-old downtown Shawano building on the National Register of Historic Places has new life after sitting vacant.
It’s thanks in large part to local and state financial support.
The Citizens State Bank building on Main Street was in rough shape when Anne Lenss was looking for a new home for The Ultimate Closet, formerly of the Green Bay area.
“Honestly what sold me is the ceilings,” said Lenss. “I absolutely love the original ceilings and I could see the building had lots of potential.”
Lenns leases the building from Heather Pahl, co-owner of Martin Jewellers, which is next door.
Pahl purchased the building, knowing the work that was ahead.
“It had nine layers of flooring,” said Pahl. “It needed a roof because it was raining into the upstairs when we purchased it. Like it was literally raining through the upstairs level. So, it needed everything from new electric, new plumbing, a roof, like everything soup to nuts.”
Pahl received financial assistance from the city, plus a $178,000 Community Development Investment grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
“The return on investment when you need to do that much work on these old buildings, I don’t think we would have taken it on if the city wouldn’t have been supportive with some of their revitalization funding and then having those matching funds from WEDC, it was crucial,” said Pahl.
When the renovation was complete, it didn’t take long to fill the second level apartment unit – helping with a need for housing in Shawano.
The community is also enjoying the addition of The Ultimate Closet.
“Everybody who comes in here, they love some of the old features, like we have our fitting room is the bank vault,” said Lenss. “People come in here and say I remember this was a bar at one time and it was a bank at one time. It’s just cool to be part of that.”
The project is one of several the WEDC is assisting throughout the state.
It also fits Shawano’s Downtown Master Plan, which aims to develop more second-story housing to attract more people and businesses to the area.
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