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Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
July 7, 2011
5pm
Opening marks 26-year, one-mile journey for locksmith
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications&Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
Bill Schalliol, Economic Development Planner, 235-9371 or Tamara Nicholl-Smith, Director of
Downtown Business Recruitment, DTSB, 631-1451
A joint release of the City of South Bend and Downtown South Bend Inc.
Jack Seifer, owner of Michiana Lock& Key, will officially welcome customers,
neighbors and friends to Michiana Lock& Key's new location at 621 E. Jefferson Blvd.
during a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Friday presided over by Mayor Stephen J. Luecke.
(An open house with tours and refreshments follows the 10 a.m. ribbon cutting and
continues until 2 p.m. Friday.)
The downtown locksmith is moving less than one mile from 306 W. Monroe St., in the
shadows of Coveleski Regional Stadium, across the river to the East Bank Village.
Although the physical distance is small, the journey results from a 26-year conversation
between the small business owner and the City of South Bend regarding potential
acquisition of the store since Coveleski Stadium was originally built.
The journey also took an unexpected twist this spring when, as Michiana Lock&Key
prepared for its move, Seiler discovered historically significant architectural details,
including antique terra cotta, beneath what had been a nondescript storefront covered
with wood paneling.
"My first thought was we have to change gears from renovation to restoration," Seiler
said. "We were really excited about it. The first thing we discovered was the transom
windows. Then, when we pulled up the carpet, we found the hardwood maple floor. ...
Those were the two big things that changed it into looking like an old, antique-style
locksmith."
With relocation assistance from South Bend's Redevelopment Commission and a
matching $24,137.50 fagade grant from Downtown South Bend, Michiana Lock & Key
has made significant investment in its new location, creating a visible landmark in a high-
traffic retail corridor across from Howard Park.
"It's unlike any other locksmith shop that I've seen," said Seiler, whose business closed
only on July 5 to move and re-opened July 6 at its East Bank location. "The biggest thing
about the move to our new location is the huge traffic count. This area looks like it's
booming. The East Bank Village seems like it's growing pretty well."
Michiana Lock & Key is now located next door to another service business, Rubin
Cleaners, as part of a boulevard with businesses known for their eclectic personality.
"In any community, most business growth and job creation is done by small businesses
that are already present in the community. That makes it particularly gratifying for the
City of South Bend and its partners to support new investment by an existing business
like Michiana Lock& Key," said Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. "The relocation of Michiana
Lock&Key is a win-win solution for our community,the East Bank commercial area
and the business itself."
With a tight relocation timetable, DTSB's Fapade Grant Review Committee approved a
matching grant within 72 hours of receiving the application. Seiler said the restoration
would not have been as extensive without DTSB and City support.
The renovated facility reveals significant architectural features, including terra cotta
cornices and an artful combination of brick and glass-block windows similar to the
recently refurbished Engman Public Natatorium (now the Indiana University South Bend
Civil Rights Heritage Center).
Michiana Lock&Key's new location is comparable in square footage, but it provides
much more useable commercial space than the converted house that once served as its
home. "Where we were before, we were not able to have anything on display," Seiler
said. "We have a whole open showroom right now. Eventually, we'll have safes, many
types of locks and, hopefully, some antique locks on display." In January,the
Redevelopment Commission purchased the former Michiana Lock&Key facility, which
will be demolished with the property incorporated into fixture site planning for Coveleski
Stadium, possibly for additional parking.
"The City has been flirting with the purchase of this property for 26 years, and it has
[created some] uncertainty" for Michiana Lock & Key, said Bill Schalliol, economic
development planner for the City of South Bend's Department of Community and
Economic Development. "The move to the East Bank will allow Michiana Lock & Key
to continue to serve the downtown business community as well as expand into the
growing East Bank Village market."
In addition to acquiring the building,the Redevelopment Commission provided
relocation assistance under federal Housing and Urban Development guidelines. The
financial support helped cover costs for:
• Interior build-out, fapade and roof repair, and building code compliance.
• Demolition of an existing smaller building on the new site along with parking lot
repair.
• Business relocation expenses.
• Utility reconnection services.
Seifer commends the support of City staff like Schalliol during the process. "They've
been very patient. They made the process as painless as possible," he said. "We've just
never been able to find the right building.
"Everybody can't believe what a difference it is from where we were to where we are
now," he added.
Mikki Dobski,Dir.
_ Communications and Special Projects
1400 County-City Bldg
So.Bend,IN 46601
a 574-235-5855 w
i 574-876-1564 c
rrN� 574-235-9892 fax
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