NORWICH – All indications lead downtown business owners Scott and Anna McLaughlin to believe that there’s old brick under the aluminum siding covering the front of their downtown department store.

Their aim is to uncover it.

The store’s owners plan to take off the 1960s era metal this summer, with assistance from a $200,000 state matching grant program earmarked for facade improvement. McLaughlin said contractors have already been selected for the estimated $400,000 restoration project. Afterward, depending upon its condition, a separate brick renovation project could follow.

Anna McLaughlin said she hopes the move will make the corner of Broad Street and American Avenue more historic and in keeping with the other brick facades already restored downtown.