07/20/2017
"Nurturing Community through Commerce"
My late husband Nelson Trujillo and I had a vision of creating a gathering place in our Town's Center where Oxfordians and Guests could gather to visit and sit awhile by the Tred Avon River.
We purchased a Historic building, run down for sure and began what has become a long process of renovations. The main building structure is in need of major repairs and still a work in progress.
Very Thankful Phase 1 of the project is complete...the apartments are renovated.
We began work on Phase 2 Commercial Spaces.
Finished Architectural plans for exterior and interior. Acquired Town's approval and the Variances needed. Talbot County awarded us a liquor license..
Nothing comes easy... Oh Yes, we had many setbacks and disappointments along the way.
Our town's "Facade Grant" program to help businesses financially hasn't come through as we hopped. We were the second business to apply for assistance for painting the building. It's now over a year ago our application submitted to Town Administrator for assistance with painting but have not been approved while other business have, Robert Morris Inn for painting and Latitude 38 for their awnings which is wonderful and other businesses have received funds.
My last meeting with Administrator I discovered to my surprise, our Painting grant application was submitted to Maryland Historic with photos of past lives and the architectural drawings for the entire project! Further surprised they responded with a 2 page letter of questions concerning conformity and NOT a one concerning our Facade Application to Town for assistance with painting?
Oxford Mercantile Group still has a mission and wants to continue nurturing community through commerce. We just need a little encouragement!
Even with the setbacks we have well appointed workforce housing and one commercial space occupied by "Yacht and Home" providing well appointed provisions to decorate your home, weather it be a house or boat.
We had a dream, to provide needed rental housing and two commercial spaces for a Gallery/Botique and a Coffee/Cafe...On The Park.
What's Next?
Funding the renovations on the Cafe is my next big decision to make. Fund it myself? Bring in investors? Sell the Building?
Praying for guidance and I know God will answer. Stay tuned answer coming....
