MANKATO — Aaron Hatanpa and his partner, Jay Zender, saw an investment opportunity and they took it, purchasing the building at 501 S. Front St. and planning to return the brick exterior to its original glory.
They saw a chance to help celebrate a building in downtown Mankato’s core — across South Front Street from Pub 500 and next to Mavericks Sports Grill.
A couple of factors came into play, Hatanpa said: Tony Frentz and Rob Else had already done a great amount of work to the interior, and half of the cost is being covered through programs administered by the city of Mankato’s Economic Development Authority.
“That’s been our plan since we purchased them, was to get some interior remodel done and then get the outside kind of brought back to a more historic look,” Hatanpa said of 501 S. Front St. and the adjacent Cherry Street property. That involves getting the multi-colored paint off and further dressing up the exterior.
“We’re going to get it all freshened up so it’ll look beautiful again,” he said.
Applying for EDA funding triggered a review of the owners’ rehabilitation proposal for conformance to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards regarding historic structures. That refers to methods for removing the paint, tuckpointing exterior walls and waterproofing it after tuckpointing.
One of the targets for EDA funding is the promotion of decent and affordable housing. With an overall estimated cost of renovation of about $84,000, coverage of half of the cost helps assure affordable rates for both the two upper floor apartments and first-floor retail, he said.
La Bamba Mexican Taco House now rents the main floor space on Front Street, with FW3 Coins and Julee’s Jewelry on Cherry Street. They are in separate but integrated buildings and both owned by Hatanpa and Zender.
While the paint on the building looked good when originally done, it has been chipping off and bricks have been coming loose. Repairs and paint removal will enhance restoration work already completed and return the cleaned and sealed building to its original splendor, Hatanpa said.
The quality of brick construction would be nearly impossible today, “unless you’re a gazillionaire,” he said. Renovation work takes advantage of the original workmanship while restoring its appearance through modern techniques.
Sandblasting the brick would damage the surface, so a low-pressure water washing may be used, according the plan’s scope of work. Gentle cleaning methods with a natural bristle brush are recommended, with a chemical cleaner used on paint or heavy grime. It is recommended methods be tested on small areas and allowed to dry for several days or weeks to ensure no damage occurs.
Loose, cracked or damaged mortar is to be removed by carefully raking the joints to avoid damage to the masonry. New mortar joints will be installed to match the original in style, size, mortar composition, hardness and color. Reusable bricks will be reinstalled. Damaged or missing bricks will be replaced to match existing bricks as closely as possible.
A coat of clear penetrating waterproof sealer designed for use with exterior masonry walls will help protect it and prevent moisture penetration.
Finally, all existing window and door awnings will be removed during work and reinstalled after.
“So, we’re gonna get all the loose bricks, all the tuck pointing, the grout, everything on both buildings all the way around it redone. Get it sealed, get it protected. And, hopefully, it’ll last a long time without having to go back and do it again,” Hatanpa said.
According to R. L. Polk Directories, the building at 501 S. Front St. has had many uses through the years, including Hodapp-Wegge Drug Store, Silver Grill Café and Feigh Toy Store from at least 1953-1963.
Except for intermittent vacancies, since it was vacant in 1964-65, that building has housed Kissin Cuzzins Country Store, Van Dars Bridal, B & J Sewing, King Optical, The Bike Shop, Michaels Great Cuts, Hair Boutique, Mr. Monogram, Erbert & Gerbert’s Subs & Clubs from 1997-2017, and now La Bamba Mexican Taco House.
Hatanpa is happy to see the trend in historic Mankato buildings changing from the 1970s when urban renewal efforts demolished many of them in favor of new builds. Some of the people he credits are the ones he bought this building from, Frentz and Else.
“They have done a nice job of refurbishing and kind of bringing back to life a lot of buildings in downtown,” he said. “And with the paint (on this building), it looked beautiful when it was done, but it’s definitely needing some TLC.”