by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Monday morning at the future location of Norm’s Pub and Post on Laura Street, owner Paul Boucher met with Downtown Development Authority project manager Jason Thiel to discuss progress he’s made toward getting his business started.
“My blood is in this place,” said Boucher. “It’s been a fight the whole way, but it’s going to fly. There’s no doubt about that.”
Though renovation efforts are progressing slowly, Boucher explains it simply.
“I’m only one guy,” he said. “I can only do so much. When someone asks when I’m opening, I tell them, ‘Give me $100,000 and a team of workers and I’ll be open in two weeks, no problem.’ “
In an effort to raise extra capital, Boucher has already cast several lines. Perhaps his most creative is selling shares of Norm’s to various investors.
“People seem to be really interested in what we’re doing here,” said Boucher of the idea. “I’m selling them at $32 and if we sell enough of them, we can really get moving.”
Thiel, who admitted Boucher had “a lot of work to do,” provided the small business owner with a list of options that might facilitate City assistance. Among the suggestions was an official letter of request detailing the concept behind the project and a clear description of what was needed.
Thiel said a loan, rather than a grant, was more likely.
“The meeting was definitely informative,” said Boucher. “He really gave me a road map of where I need to go. After talking to him, I realized that I never even officially asked for help.”
Boucher, who had previously talked to DDA “at least two times a week,” said he plans to draft a letter quickly.
“Up until this point,” he said, “I’ve brought things I’m working on to the City and they’ve told me what the step is. I look forward to talking with them again.”