SESSER - With the help of a concrete-engraving process, something
old is becoming something (almost) new again in Sesser.
Entryways to the Historic Opera House and its adjacent restaurant
have a new look today, thanks to My-Crete Engraving.
The Marion business specializes in engraving concrete; that is,
engraving a pattern into existing concrete, owner Dean Newell said.
"This gives you an option if you don't want to tear out the old
concrete. It gives a decorative look to the old concrete pad and
it's a lot cheaper than ripping it out," he said.
The concrete is cleaned, engraved with whatever pattern the customer
wants, stained and sealed.
Sesser Mayor Ned Mitchell said the process was an inexpensive way to
spruce up and make more durable the entryways to the opera house and
restaurant, both owned and operated by the city.
"We tried everything else. It was painted originally, but paint
doesn't want to stick to concrete. We had two types of
indoor/outdoor carpet and everything in the world stuck to it. We
were constantly cleaning it," he said Wednesday. "We ran into this
process through a friend and decided to give it a try. This is going
to look beautiful when it is finished."
The concrete dates back to the original construction of the Opera
House back in 1914, Mitchell said.
"We didn't even know it was cracked until we pulled up the carpet.
And you can't repair cracks in concrete; the cracks always show up
again. They can incorporate the cracks into the design. It's very
cost-effective for us," he said.
A typical 25-by-10-foot pad costs less than $700 to engrave.
Newell said his company opened about a year ago and business is
booming.
"We are staying extremely busy, mostly with residential customers,"
he said. "We do interior and exterior work. And people can get
creative. We did one in Shawneetown where we put a Chevy emblem in a
man's driveway. He loves his Corvette."
The entryways will be ready for foot traffic today.
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