Paca Street is ready to begin a new chapter in its history. LUMA, LLC is approaching the end of a remodeling project that will revitalize 206 and 208 Paca Street, bringing new, updated apartment options and versatile retail or office space to Downtown Cumberland using funding support from the Invest Allegany grant.
The classic brick buildings, located just off Interstate 68, were first constructed in 1900. Shortly thereafter, 206 Paca Street became home to Geatz’s Restaurant, one of Maryland’s longest-running eateries, originally established in the town center in 1880. During its early years, Cumberland residents could enjoy a locally made lager at the restaurant for just five cents. After 137 years in business, the anchor establishment closed its doors in 2017.
LUMA Co-owners Sean and Breann D’Atri purchased the 7,000-square-foot property in 2018. “We bought the building as an investment,” said Sean. “We were aware of its significance in Cumberland’s story and wanted to revitalize it for a new generation.”
“We were aware of [the building’s] significance in Cumberland’s story and wanted to revitalize it for a new generation.” - Sean D’Atri, Co-owner, LUMA
“We have been residents of Allegany County for so long, and we’ve seen the county and city government initiatives to elevate Allegany County and Cumberland, “ shared Breann. “It's been fun to reenvision the buildings to their original look by restoring what is already here. There is a lot of beauty in Cumberland.”
The buildings’ upper story spaces were formerly used as apartments and retail. “We'd been hearing about the need for housing in Cumberland, so we decided to bring the upper store spaces back to their roots as apartments,” Breann added.
LUMA planned two apartment units—one one-bedroom unit and another three-bedroom unit— for the upper-story spaces and would remodel the first-story spaces into two commercial areas.
“It's been fun trying to reenvision and get the buildings back to their original look by restoring what is here. There is a lot of beauty in Cumberland.” - Breann D’Atri, Co-owner, LUMA
Early in the process, Sean and Breann realized that the 117-year-old properties needed substantial upgrades to meet modern standards. “Given the building’s age and size, there were many hidden costs, including major expenses like all-new electrical service from the pole and new plumbing from the street,” Sean said. “Those two undertakings, in addition to installing a new sprinkler system, were giant projects that needed to be done before we even started remodeling the building.”
Breann spotted an advertisement for the Invest Allegany grant in a local newspaper and decided to contact Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD) for details. “I work for Allegany Public Schools as an Apprenticeship Maryland Coordinator, so I already had strong connections with ACECD through our workforce development initiatives,” she shared. “We could ask their team questions, and they guided us through the process.”
LUMA received funding and used it to kick off the three-phase renovation. Sean elaborates, “Before we could think about renovations, we needed to address the larger challenges. At the time, there was a shortage of supplies, and prices went through the roof because of the pandemic. However, things started to snowball once the sprinkler system was installed.”
: “The ACECD team was great. We were able to ask their team questions, and they guided us through the [Invest Allegany grant application] process.” - Breann D’Atri, Co-owner, LUMA
After completing the large-scale improvements, the team began the second phase of renovations to the smaller office space and one-bedroom apartment. With those renovations finished, they commenced the third and final phase, focusing on the three-bedroom apartment and the larger commercial space. As the final phase progressed, LUMA began leasing spaces completed in the second phase. The Historic Highlands Realtors Association is currently renting the first office.
“It worked out really well for the business since the office has a conference room where the realtors and association members can meet. There is ample parking around the building, too, which is a huge advantage for tenants, businesses, and their customers,” said Breann.
As they transformed the spaces, LUMA’s team focused on modernizing the apartment with new flooring, appliances, lighting, and other updates.
“When we were applying for the grant, we saw a housing study that pointed out the need for rentals that appeal to young professionals and recent grads coming to work in Cumberland,” Breann noted. “The apartments seemed like a perfect fit for that crowd. Cumberland has a lot to offer younger people, like walkability to restaurants and access to recreation.”
The LUMA team has already received recognition from onlookers, who noticed the improvements to the outside of the building including landscaping, painting, and a repaved parking lot. “It's funny because we didn’t realize how much attention it would get, but people commute on that road a lot and recognize the improvements,” said Sean.
Now, the third phase of renovations on the three-bedroom apartment and sizable commercial space is nearing completion and is expected to be available for rent in August 2024.
Breann finishes, “We like working on projects like this because when you put care into your own little corner of the world. Someone else might see that and be inspired to advance their own section. It catches like fire, and then everyone is on board trying to fix up what they have.”
Read more Invest Allegany success stories.
References: Appalachian History.net; Maryland’s Oldest Founding-Family-Owned Restaurant
