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Maria Magana has an old, yellowing photograph of her shop, Pepitos Deli, taken before a 1999 facelift. Four years ago, her storefront was in as bad a shape as the photo. 

Today, however, peeling paint, old window panes and an ugly metal door at the San Pablo Avenue deli have given way to fresh coats of green, purple and yellow, a craftsman wood door and an ornate new sign. 

Why the change? A city of Berkeley facade grant. 

The four-year old program has given money to about 130 small business owners to improve the look of their storefronts and add safety features to their businesses. 

“This is a useful tool to help blighted property,” said Ted Burton of the city’s Office of Economic Development.  

The program targets property owners in certain parts of the city, including downtown, University Avenue and south and west Berkeley. The owners usually receive about $3,500. The grant money mostly goes toward new signs, awnings, paint, windows, doors and outside lighting. 

“The program helps us to convince owners to clean up their storefronts and make the neighborhood safer and look better,” said Burton. 

The program’s most noticeable impact has been on San Pablo Avenue, between University and Ashby avenues, where 52 businesses have received city grants. 

“We work with San Pablo merchants and residents to identify neighborhood clusters so we can revitalize an entire area,” said Burton 

Local merchants acknowledge the improvement. 

“I think the neighborhood looks really nice,” said Pete Raxakoul, owner of Country Cheese at San Pablo Avenue and Addison Street. “There’s a lot more people walking around now. It’s a lot less scary with the new lights.” 

Raxakoul said he was approached last year by the Office of Economic Development about participating in the program. 

“I wasn’t planning on doing any work, but if someone offers it for free, it’s always nice.”  

With free money comes certain restrictions. 

Magana said her initial plan for Pepitos Deli had a more “Hispanic” theme, but city officials rejected the design on grounds that it would reduce the property’s resale value. 

Still, she is happy with the end result. “The city was very helpful and the sign looks great,” she said. 

However, some owners aren’t happy with their refurbished storefronts. 

Deloris Handel, the new owner of Lucky Dog Pet Shop at 2154 San Pablo Ave., thinks the sign and paint that the city and former owner chose for her shop doesn’t grab people’s attention. 

“Aesthetically it’s a great sign, but as far as attracting business, it doesn’t work,” she said. She would have preferred neon. 

Construction on the Country Cheese storefront begins in two weeks. However, this may be one of the final facelifts for of the year. 

The program, which has given out an estimated $240,000 over the last four years, was not funded this year due to budget cuts. All current projects are being funded with money from the previous year’s budget. 

Burton said he is hopeful that funding will be restored, and that Telegraph Avenue merchants have expressed interest in the program. 

“There is definitely more to be done,” he said.