Green Bay Press-Gazette (WI)
August 21, 2005
Mike Hoeft, mhoeft@greenbaypressgazette.com
Former library will be renovated
DE PERE — A solid structure is no laughing matter in De Pere.
A $5,000 business grant will help ComedyCity and Venture Theatre renovate its new digs in De Pere’s former library building on Main Avenue.
“De Pere has been wonderfully helpful to us,” said co-owner Mike Eserkaln. “Businesses here reach out and help each other.”
The improvisational comedy venue moved in April from downtown Green Bay to the old historical library building at 380 Main Ave., De Pere, within walking distance of St. Norbert College. Venture Theatre opened later offering scripted plays featuring local artists.
The entertainment theaters improve downtown vitality, business leaders say.
“They’ve been doing a great job. They want to maintain the historic integrity of the old library building,” said Jerilyn Schad, executive director of the De Pere Area Business Alliance.
ComedyCity and Venture Theatre received one of two development grants recently distributed by the alliance.
Bejeweled Images Fine Jewelry, owned by Lisa Pelletier, received a $2,000 grant. The grant will focus on operations in its retail space.
Since it began in 1996, the grant program has given 11 grants totaling about $50,000, Schad said.
The purpose of the grant is to attract new businesses to De Pere and encourage expansion of existing businesses, she said.
A panel of representatives from sponsoring financial institutions reviewed the proposals. Associated Bank, Bank Mutual, Baylake Bank, Citizens Bank, Johnson Bank, M&I Bank and Nicolet Bank sponsored the business grant.
To learn more, contact the alliance at (920) 338-0000.
