Business & Tech
Main Street Church Launches $2M Capital Campaign, Evicts 5 Stores
Five downtown businesses were notified in October that they would be evicted.
Carol Montminy of Jackie's Diner is not sure what the future holds for her. After more than a dozen years serving meals on Main Street, she has decided not to stick around.
It wasn't her choice.
But after the eviction notice arrived last month, she just didn't have the heart to sink another penny into the diner.
"I was crying for the first couple of weeks. I didn't know what to do. I have the place for sale for cheap – maybe someone will buy the business and relocate it. I'm losing $100,000 I've invested – we put new plumbing in and electrical. The five-year lease was due for renewal next year. Instead, we're done," said Montminy.
Hers is one of five business on the edge of a downtown stretch of stores that is slated for demolition by Main Street Methodist Church as part of a $2 million capital campaign to open up the space in front of their church and create an upgraded grand entry, along with needed repairs and improvements to support a number of charitable outreaches to the community, including a food pantry.
While it's good news for the church and its mission as "A church with a heart in the heart of Nashua," Montminy feels a bit betrayed by the news.
"I understand the church has known about this for five years – five years. We had the option to stay until 2014, but I don't want to give them another penny more," Montminy said. "Now I'm just angry. I mean, I knew it was a risk on some level to be renting, but I didn't know that I'd be leaving this way after all the hard work we put in."
She said she is considering her options.
"I won't rent again. I'm thinking about a food truck or something," Montminy said.
Also affected is Chuck's Barber Shop, Tattoo America, Showtime Computers, and Celebrations Catering.
Montminy said she thought Chuck's Barber Shop was trying to relocate at the former Main Street Bakery site.
Deana Borges, whose mom, Suzanne Reynolds, has owned the barber shop on Main Street since 1984, said they had hoped to move into the old bakery site, but have encountered some difficulties with that plan, and are working on a Plan B.
Attempts Monday morning by Nashua Patch to reach the church and the other affected businesses for comment by phone were unsuccessful. However, detailed information about the capital campaign is available on the church website, including a Q&A which we've added here:
We'll continue following this story and bring you more information as it becomes available.
Link to the Main Street United Methodist Church at http://heart.mainstreet-umc.org/ for more information, including the financials of the plan.
Q & A on Main Street United Methodist Church Capital Campaign
What is our project?
A multiphase renovation to evolve our facilities to support Main Street United Methodist Church’s mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to help realize our desire to be the Church with a Heart in the Heart of Nashua. The centerpiece of phase one is a new grand entry unifying our church and education buildings and providing accessibility to all. Accessibility features include an elevator and restrooms on all levels of the church building. We will increase our visibility on Main Street through removal of the storefronts in front of the Wesley Building. Critical infrastructure upgrades to the heating system will be made to improve reliability and energy efficiency, and to provide central air conditioning in the new facilities. Basement-level restrooms/showers will be added to enable emergency shelter capability, in addition to reconfiguration of the church office and reception area, a new nursery, easier access to the food pantry, meeting rooms, and enhanced audio-visual capability. Phase two renovations will include finishing additional inside spaces in the upper level of the new connector/entry building, HVAC upgrades for the sanctuary, and improvements to the kitchen, vestry, basement, and entrance areas.
Why are we doing this project?
Since the laying of its cornerstone in 1867, Main Street United Methodist Church has been a place of Christ’s presence and witness to downtown Nashua. To extend that presence into the next century, we must rejuvenate our infrastructure and improve access to eliminate roadblocks to those we are called to serve. The new entry/connection will provide handicap accessibility to all of our existing facilities.
When are we planning to build?
Plans are to break ground by 2016 and complete the first phase of renovations by 2018 for our 150th anniversary!
Who will benefit?
Whether you are a young family and need quick access to a restroom during the church service or just have more trouble climbing the stairs than you used to, there is truly something that will “make you smile” in this project. Remember those Sunday mornings when the heat was out? Beyond the personal perspective, however, we aspire to be Christ’s body here in Nashua, and that includes welcoming all. With the new grand entry and elevator, we will provide welcoming, ADA-compliant access from both front and rear to all our facilities. With our connected church and Wesley Education Building, children will no longer have to cross the parking lot to move between Sunday school and worship, and we will gain easier access to additional meeting space that we will share with the community. We have benefited from the gift of our church from past generations, and now we can take the responsibility to pass it on to future generations.
How much will it cost?
The preliminary estimate for the phase one construction costs is $984,000 ($1,134,000 including the yet-to-be-approved demolition of the storefronts), and $2 million for the entire project.
Why are we having a capital campaign?
Just as our annual pledge campaign enables us to underwrite our annual operating expenses, a capital campaign enables us to plan for the significant upgrade to our facilities. Careful planning for God’s work is the responsibility of all good stewards. The Heart of Nashua campaign allows us to be intentional about our giving over the nextthree years and take the steps necessary to be generous in our support of God’s work in Nashua.
How will we deal with any shortfalls in funding?
Based upon the results of the capital campaign, the Renovations Committee will develop a more detailed plan to achieve the vision of the Heart of Nashua campaign within the constraints of our financial resources.
What is the title and theme of the campaign?
Our title is the Heart of Nashua campaign because we aspire to our vision of being “the church with a heart in the heart of Nashua.” Our theme is nothing less than the “Rebirth of Main Street United Methodist Church.”
Who is leading the campaign?
Under the guidance of the faith-based capital campaign organization, Generis, the following dedicated team from our church is leading the Heart of Nashua campaign:
- Paul Pederzani and Ken Sinclair: Co-Exec. Dir.
- Maggie Dechene: Leadership and Affinity Groups Dir.
- Chuck Emery: Annual Budget Dir.
- Marcia Brown: Administrative Dir.
- Pam Breniser: Spiritual Emphasis and Prayer Dir
- Jerry Harrow: Communication Dir.
- Joyce Tagliaferro: Major Event Dir.
- Sarah Gowen: Student/Children’s D
- Pastor Rich: Member of Exec. Team
The core of the campaign occurs in October and November with the pledge period continuing over the next three years.
Link here to read more about the Main Street Methodist Church project.
See Related Stories:
Tattoo Shop Owner Displaced by Church Project: 'I'm In No Hurry'Main Street Pastor says Shop Owner Misinformed.
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