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Downtown Ontario businesses highlight historic building rehabs and new openings
Summary
Local entrepreneurs described restoring century‑old buildings, opening retail and restaurants in downtown Ontario, and plans for phased restaurant additions and continued preservation of historic features.
Downtown Ontario business owners and museum staff described a surge of historic rehabilitation and new small businesses centered on preserved storefronts and repurposed buildings.
Damien Mel (S4) and Mia Mel (S5) said they purchased a 100‑year‑old former auto showroom and body shop after finding it boarded up years earlier, investing in a full redevelopment that preserved original trusses and the showroom floor. They said the retail concept Holt and Palm includes a retail showroom, office space and a planned pizza restaurant on the building’s east side as phase two.
Other entrepreneurs echoed that theme. Maria Martinez (S29) described opening Mestiza Cake House and Cafe in one of downtown’s older buildings and said community response has been strong since the opening. Julio Bernal (S14) described Heroes Restaurant and Brewhouse’s experience opening near Ontario Mills, noting the restaurant’s family environment, hiring and the steady traffic from the mall.
Speakers emphasized the cost and complexity of rehabbing historic properties—electrical, plumbing and structural systems often require extensive work—and urged prospective buyers to plan for those costs and assemble experienced teams. Several presenters framed preservation as adding uniqueness to downtown, contrasting older buildings with generic new strip‑mall construction.
The presentations did not include formal permitting details, zoning actions or specific financial incentives tied to individual projects. Owners expressed appreciation for city support but did not present contracts, financing numbers or specific council votes during the remarks.
Next steps cited by owners included continued interior and exterior work, opening phase‑two food service, and ongoing maintenance commitments to preserve the buildings’ historic character.
