Pelham, ON – Highway 20 at Pelham Street is getting a facelift thanks to a number of businesses who saw the potential for a growing and thriving community.  The Pelham Community Beautification Committee is recognizing six businesses that have, and continue to work on renovations and new builds over the past year. Highway 20 is an important corridor connecting west and east Niagara and as such gives a valuable first impression to visitors, suggesting that Pelham is a wonderful place to live, work and play.  These businesses are to be commended for their efforts in beautifying an important gateway in Pelham.

LaChe Beautification, previously the Ho Ho restaurant, has undergone lengthy renovations and is working towards a full service beauty salon on the main floor and apartments above.  Rich VanderWier and Brad Martin undertook the extensive renovations on a part time basis at the bequest of their wives, Chelsie and Laura respectively. Chelsie and Laura dreamed of having a centrally located beauty salon and thanks to their handyman husbands, their dreams were fulfilled.  Laura explained, “We love the fact that our building is one of the oldest standing in Fonthill with it being the first general store back in the 1800s. Rich and Brad are proud that they have restored this building back to its original beauty and character and the residents of Pelham and the rest of Niagara region can enjoy!  We are all so fortunate that hard work, support and our friendship made this happen!”

Across the street Wesley Overbeeke has taken over the old Frontier Gun Shop, previously owned by Frank and Janice Ryan, and is transforming it into a commercial residential building.   Wesley explains that his family has been friends with the Ryans for many years.  “We purchased the building from them 3 years ago and are currently doing renovations on the main floor and basement to accept a commercial space. We hope to have it up for lease by the end of this summer.  The second floor is a residential unit.  Overbeeke Construction INC, is doing most of the renovation work, while my brother and dad are helping with some of it as well.”  Wesley’s father, Laurence, and brother Calvin worked on the building renovations at the corner of Highway 20 and Pelham Street a couple of years ago and were recognized by the Beautification Committee in July 2020. The building now houses the Travel Café and Hinan Construction.

Next door at 1 Highway 20 W, John and Michelle vanderWeyden are busy with a new build where the Scrapbook Nook, among other names, including the original Temperanceville Tavern, once stood.  The goal is to finish the building sometime this summer and will include commercial space for Kwik Fit Niagara on the main floor and two floors of apartments, including a courtyard apartment. John commented, “It has always been a dream of mine to build a mixed use commercial building especially in beautiful Fonthill.  It would not have been possible without the guidance from Town of Pelham Building Department, local contractors, Greenfield staff and the support of my wife Michelle.”  John further remarked,  “we are excited to launch our property portal soon under the name of Vander Built Properties”.

Dave Chambers took what was formerly Keith’s Restaurant, at the corner a few years ago for his insurance office.  It is commendable to see the historical significance of this building being preserved.  Dave commented on the building’s historical significance: “ I do feel a special duty to maintain the building, as we are trying to make the main corner in town as appealing as possible.  It appears to be one of the original buildings in town that its history is still recognizable.  We are proud to be the owners!”

Down the street, Storm Hair Group gave an old building a fresh new look.  The transformation to the hair salon is a very pleasing improvement to the community. Owners, Michael Deprophetis and Luca Crescia have been in business in Niagara for over 25 years.  Michael explains, “Over the last few years we have been planning the idea of upgrading the facade of our building. We are in an industry that is ever evolving and influenced with the trends of fashion and design. We chose this style to stand out and be noticed for taking a risk on the design and we are very pleased with the result.”  The new look “is part of our celebration and also a way to create some excitement for our guests, our team and the community”.

Revel Real Estate also made improvement to their office building.  Dean Serravalle, Broker of Record commented “we enjoy ‘celebrating’ all of the character and beauty a place like Pelham has to offer.  We feel privileged to contribute our vision to a wonderful community of residents.”

Mayor Junkin is pleased with all of the construction taking place.  He remarked “it is great to see these individuals, each in their own way, bringing such vitality and freshness to this part of Pelham.  It was a facelift that was long over due, and much appreciated by our citizens.  Town Council extends a big Thank you to all those involved.”

The Pelham Beautification Committee is an advisory committee to Pelham Council.  The committee seeks to foster civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement.  The monthly ‘Thank You’ card initiative is one of the Committee’s efforts to inspire the Town’s businesses, organizations and residents to exemplify ideals defined in the Beautification Committee’s Terms of Reference, available at www.Pelham.ca

The Pelham Beautification Committee will name a recipient each month.  Individuals are encouraged to submit potential recipient recommendations to the Pelham Beautification Committee at beautification@pelham.ca