A husband-and-wife entrepreneurial team wants to bring a boutique, event space and private social club to the former Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory property in Fortville.
Daily Reporter file photo
FORTVILLE — Town officials support a liquor license for a proposal aiming to turn a historical property into a boutique, event venue and private club. They want more details, however, before deciding whether to provide requested financial assistance for exterior improvements to the structure.
Sheila and Scott Brown, owners of 124 E. Staat St., which formerly housed Greenfield-based Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory’s Fortville location, plan to put boutique retail on the property’s first floor, event space on its second and space for a private social club on its third.
They’re seeking a permit to serve liquor at the property through Fortville’s riverfront development district, which the town created in 2020 along Stottlemeyer Ditch that winds through town.
Town leaders created the district as a way to spark economic development, as Indiana municipalities are only allowed a certain number of alcoholic beverage permits. There is no limit, however, within a riverfront development district, which state law says can be established within 1,500 feet of waterways.
The Fortville Redevelopment Commission oversees the riverfront development district and voted unanimously to support the alcoholic beverage permit.
“I see no problem with the liquor license, because this is an economic tool for the town, and I think it meets our criteria,” said Ed Brand, a redevelopment commission member.
The decision prompts the town to endorse the Browns’ application to the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. The Hancock County Alcoholic Beverage Commission will consider the application as well.
The Browns are also seeking assistance from the redevelopment commission’s new facade improvement program, which has $50,000 for making matches to exterior improvements on commercial buildings.
Improvements the couple want to pursue include removing existing vinyl siding, restoring siding underneath, repainting, creating exterior dining space, restoring the second-floor roof to allow for the third-floor balcony, rebuilding and expanding the second-floor balcony for use during events, and more.
Before making a decision on the assistance, the redevelopment commission wants more details on the proposed improvements, costs and where the Browns’ budget falls short of those costs. Commission members also said some of the proposed exterior improvements may fall more under remodeling rather than facade repairs.
Matt Dixon, president of The Dixon Construction Group in Fortville, which is working on the project, said that information can be provided.
“We’ll just have to start looking through and seeing where exactly what that money would be used for and then we can come back with some more specifics,” Dixon said.
Dixon estimates the exterior work will cost well over $150,000. Commission members noted that suggests the Browns could seek all $50,000 the facade improvement program has to offer.
Amy Lawson, who serves on the commission, said she wouldn’t want to empty the program’s entire budget for the year so soon without giving other applicants a chance.
“I’m OK approving some for this,” Lawson said. “I don’t feel comfortable with the full amount.”
Brand moved to table the request until more details could be provided and the Browns, who could not attend the recent redevelopment commission meeting in person or virtually, could attend in person. The motion carried with Brand, Lawson, Scott Meyer and Cheyenne Hoffa voting in favor. Hart Summeier voted against, explaining he didn’t mind if the Browns attended virtually.
