Owners and agents brought a concept review to the Historic Preservation Commission for 225 East Broad Street on Aug. 20 proposing to remove existing shed canopies and widen an opening on the College Avenue elevation to accommodate three sliding serving windows for a walk‑up food service (applicant described the tenant concept as a Zesto’s‑style counter service).

Agent David Matheny described the building as present on Sanborn maps by 1885 and noted the current street‑level facade differs from historic configurations; the project would remove the metal shed canopies, widen a recessed side opening, install sliding serving windows, and add a flat canopy on the College Avenue elevation while preserving the Broad Street storefront rhythm.

Commissioners asked the applicant to document what lies behind current storefront panels (masonry or infill), to consider leaving a partial lower masonry/brick band rather than cutting the opening full to grade, and to match any new bulkhead and transom detailing to historic precedents. Several commissioners said a flat metal canopy was not obviously inappropriate given the storefront’s modification history, but suggested awnings or smaller segmented canopies to break up a long continuous canopy span and to respect materials visible in historic photos.

The applicant said the serving windows would be walk‑up only (no interior patron seating) and that signage and lighting details would be submitted with a later COA application; he also asked the commission about removing decorative shutters that had been added to the façade in a later remodeling. Commissioners encouraged the team to return with documentation of the historic storefront and clear details about the proposed infill, bulkhead and canopy materials.

This was a concept review; commissioners provided design guidance but took no final action.