SHARON, Pa. - What would you do if you sold a business for $90 million in the Shenango Valley?

"Take off for California or go do something- right," said Jim Landino.

Well, that's not what happened.

In 2014 at age 50, he sold Sunbelt Transformer in Downtown Sharon, took the money, and started putting it back into the City.

It all started six years ago with the Sunshine Home built-in 1918.

They're now office buildings, but Landino said it wasn't easy.

"I didn't know what to do. I mean, it's January. It's cold. It's really cold. I'm in the middle of finishing off the sunbelt office buildings. So I'm gutting it out. My water is freezing in the bottle. My phone's shutting off because it's so cold. My tractor is getting stuck in the snow, and I'm kind of like really not sure what I'm going to do next."

Around this time, he met his fiancée and new wife, Jen Krezeczowski.

The couple became business partners, and it took off from there.

Ladino owns upwards of 55 properties in the Downtown Sharon area.

Many might recognize the building with the giant coffee mug on the roof.

It's one of their finished products and now houses LuLu Beans Cafe and Coffee House.

While it looks new now, the building was old and in need of big repairs.

The old Buhl Armory, right next door on Sharpsville Avenue, is another one of Landino's properties.

When it's finished, it will have office spaces, a multi-purpose room, and six elaborate apartments inside.

"We have this elegant, industrial look kind of going on," said Landino. "You are going to see raw brick, open trusses, open rafters.  Some really cool showers, and we built some really cool cabinets."

Landino's home sits right across the street now in the former Odd Fellows building.

Just through the intersection, the Applegate building, which now has offices, a barbershop, and Landino and Krezeczowski's new shop, Gifted at Applegate, which opened in December.  

"We have cards, candles, scarves, accessories, jewelry. A lot of independent artiest stuff in there as well," said Krezeczowski.

On State Street, more construction is underway in the former Wilson's Furniture Store.

It's transforming into the new Anytime Fitness location.

The old Billy's Black & Gold building is also one of his properties now.

Many people might ask why downtown Sharon?

But, ladino sees something special.

We've become one with the community," said Landino. "We see this as a high quality of life opportunity low cost of operation. Amenities all around us."

Also, Landino just opened JCL Energy on Dock Street, getting himself back into the high voltage gear and transformers business.

His site also has a storefront packed with electrical products.

The now 55-year old says all of this comes from a deep-rooted love for the area and people who make up the community.

"We just have the faith and keep the faith in the town and in the people and what we can do here," said Krezeczowski.

Together, they are changing the culture, appearance, and perception of Sharon one building at time.

"We fall in love with buildings. We see opportunities with people. We see opportunities to rebuild a community.

As Landino continues to renovate the properties he now owns, there is plenty of space available for tenants.

Landino said JCL Development is looking for people who will bring a "youthful energy" to Downtown Sharon.

If you are interested in a property, apartment, warehouse, retail space, restaurant or grocery store location, email info@jcldevelopment.com or visit the JCL Development Facebook page.