Pache took the initiative in fixing up his restaurant because of a city-promoted façade improvement program that started in 2004. The program provides for a matching grant of up to $5,000 from the city for Village merchants who decide to upgrade their façades.

Pache is not the only merchant to have taken part in the program. Fourteen other business owners on Big Basin Way have taken advantage of the city's offer.

"We've issued grants worth $48,000," Lorie Tinfow, Saratoga's assistant city manager, said. The city council had set aside $50,000 from its capital improvement program for the one-time program when it started last year.

At a meeting on June 15, the council decided to extend the program by 90 days, until the end of September.

"A few merchants requested an extension as they haven't been able to finish some of the improvement work and submit their bills to the city on time," Tinfow said.

She said that the program had been a huge success. "The merchants are very appreciative of the money that they are getting from the city," Tinfow said. "The results are very visible."

Pache said that he was pleased that the city has the interests of local businesses in mind.

"I now have plans to extensively remodel my restaurant but I'm waiting for business to pick up," he said.