July 30th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Gino Giatris is excited. Curtis’ Coney Island Famous Weiners is the recipient of a $50,000 grant from the national Trust of Historiic Preservation and American Express. The grant is part of the “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” program that is now in its fourth year. Giatris tells WCBC the iconic Cumberland location ticked all the right boxes this year to successfully receive the grant that goes to one location in each state…

"It's a win-win-win for everybody."

"106 years in business, third generation, historical building historical district so we hit all the check boxes this time in."

Giatris says it’s the perfect time for such a grant to be awarded.  With the completion of the downtown construction project nearing, the outside of the historic business will be rejuvenated as well…

"Paint the building, all the sides the whole front be repainted then Glass Service of Cumberland put in all new double pane energy efficient windows, then Don Fisher will come back in and reletter, hand paint them all over again. New tables, double vented umbrellas, new trash receptacles and five Linguini capacity bike racks."