FLINT, MI – Two additional businesses will join ELGA Credit Union in the renovated Perry Drugs building in downtown Flint.

The approximately 9,000 square-foot building at the corner of Saginaw and Second streets is expected to open by March and include ELGA Credit Union, Buckham Gallery and KeLan Foard The Brand, a men’s grooming and clothing shop.

Work has been underway since fall 2018 on the building owned by nonprofit Uptown Reinvestment Corporation. The space will house a total of six retail units for lease when construction is completed in March.

“The newly renovated retail space provides viable options for the growing entrepreneurial community and small businesses that will serve the needs of downtown residents and workers as well as visitors to the area,” said Tim Herman, president of Uptown Reinvestment and CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. “Combining this new space with existing spaces within the Capitol Theatre and along Saginaw Street will help create a critical mass of shopping options downtown.”

Uptown has owned the property since purchasing it from Genesee County in 2006, according to Flint Journal records.

The county had purchased the property in 2000 after a Family Dollar store that operated there for nearly five years closed.

Prior to Family Dollar, the property was home to a Perry drug store, which closed in 1994.

The $1.4 million renovation project was aided by a $200,000 Michigan Community Revitalization grant via the state Economic Development Corporation.

A 12-year tax abatement valued at $50,000 under the state’s Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act was approved by the Flint’s Receivership Transition Advisory Board in July 2015 after it was turned down by city council members two months earlier.

It’s expected 15 full-time jobs will come along with the new businesses, including four employees at the ELGA Credit Union branch announced in July 2018.

“This full-service branch will add convenience for people working, living, going to school and visiting downtown Flint,” said Karen Church, CEO of ELGA Credit Union. “We are excited about our new branch location and looking forward to working with downtown partners to help move Flint forward.”

Buckham Gallery will move from its current spot on the second floor across Second Street.

Lynn Penning, the gallery’s director, said the new street level location “will enable everyone in the community to attend our openings and exhibitions.”

The gallery has operated in Flint since 1984 offering monthly exhibits, events and Art Walk receptions. Penning called the move the “next chapter” for the gallery as the downtown area continues its transformation.

For Ke’Lan Foard, it will be his first-ever official physical location for customers to view his men’s clothing line as well get a haircut or shave.

Herman expressed his hope the new development would “help diversify the downtown business landscape into a 24/7 city center” for young professionals and students as well as attract entrepreneurs and small businesses to the space.

He referenced some of those may come from the Flint Farmers’ Market, Factory Two and the Ferris Wheel building across the street which houses more than 30 businesses – including State Bank, Pod Mod Photography, and The Yoga Loft.