The Gilroy Downtown Business Association presented a $4,000 check to Linda and Kelsy Ashford on Jan. 26, to help pay for the years-long retrofit of the historic Ashford’s Heirlooms building at 7547 Monterey St.
The funds, which were partly raised during the Gourmet Alley Urban Eats on the Street event in June, will go toward completing the awning retrofit in front of the business.
The Ashfords thanked the GDBA for the donation, with Kelsy saying he expects the awning work to be completed in the coming days.
“It’s long overdue,” he said.
The GDBA presented the check in honor of Steve Ashford, who died unexpectedly in June 2020. Steve was nearing completion of the earthquake retrofit of the building, which was built in the 1920s, and had planned for the awning to be the last phase.
“Growing up in Gilroy, Steve was committed to our community, and he was especially devoted to downtown and helped our organization in so many ways,” Nancy Maciel of the GDBA said. “That is why we are here today, to thank Steve and his wife Linda and son Kelsy for all the time he contributed to downtown and the community.”
Maciel also acknowledged Kelsy, saying he is continuing his father’s legacy by finishing the work he started while supporting downtown.
The GDBA is still raising funds to help the Ashfords complete the retrofit. Donations can be sent through PayPal at na***@do************.com, with memo “Ashford’s Heirlooms.”
