By Miles Flynn | Southern Indiana Business Report
JASPER — The height of a pandemic might not be the easiest time for a new Main Street organization to launch, but a year of adversity certainly hasn’t held back the work of Heart of Jasper. And ideas that got their start with the new group last spring are now bearing fruit in the forms of a pop-up vendor market slated for June and July, as well as an ongoing façade project.
Pop-up markets
“We have a goal to fill vacant buildings in the district,” said Kate Schwenk, the executive director of the group. She explained vacant buildings affect a lot more people than just landlords, since there are also implications for all taxpayers and utility customers.
With that directive in mind, Heart of Jasper sought and secured $25,000 in support from the Jasper Redevelopment Commission to help fund pop-up markets downtown.
“Pop-up markets are becoming more common,” Schwenk noted.
The money will allow the group to host vendors for a series of special events in the former Sternberg Furniture location on the northeast side of the square.
Markets are scheduled for Saturdays, June 5, June 19, July 10 and July 24, from noon-4 p.m.; and Wednesdays, June 9 and July 14, from 4-8 p.m.
Three of those days coincide with other popular downtown events. Saturday, June 5, is also the date of the 18th annual Jasper Community Arts Downtown Chalk Walk. (The art event runs from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.) Both Wednesday evenings, June 9 and July 14, are also the dates for the return of Downtown Chowdown food truck visits. Schwenk said the hope is to see people move between the events and visit other downtown businesses.
That potential downtown boost is just one hoped-for outcome, however. The vendors, who are required to pay only $100 to take part during all six days, will benefit from a new level of exposure that may help them expand their own businesses. In addition, by showcasing the former Sternberg building, it’s possible an entrepreneur in the crowd might identify the location as a great place to put a business.
So far, Schwenk said, the pop-up market concept is generating a lot of enthusiasm among downtown merchants, the public and vendors.
“I think people are excited about it,” she commented.
In fact, all 10 vendor slots were filled and announced May 20. The vendors will sell only homemade or handmade goods, Schwenk said, and offerings include pottery, flowers, popsicles, cotton candy, bath bombs, home décor, and other handsewn and personalized items.
“Ideally, if the project goes well, we would love to see it continue in the future,” Schwenk said. She added much of the initial contribution from the Jasper Redevelopment Commission remains available to help secure more venue space down the road.
Façade project
Work is expected to be substantially complete this year on improvements to five downtown Jasper buildings, thanks to a $50,000 façade project administered through Heart of Jasper and funded by the City of Jasper.
After reviewing proposals from interested businesses, the committee overseeing the project selected five applicants to receive $10,000 each.
The winners, announced in March, were Young Rental and Realty LLC, 248 East Third St., home of ACE Construction, Seven Seas Pet Store, and Downtown Running and Fitness; Nohr Building, 413 Main St., home of Gary’s Barber Shop; Danny Brescher Housing LLC, 1112 Newton St., home of TRP Transmission; Kundek LLC, 209 East Sixth St., home of Copper Fox, Illusions Spa, and Verkamp Law Office; and MH Properties LLC, 706-708 ½ Main St., home of Primerica Financial Services, Electric Graffiti Tattoo Studio, Milligan Communications, Yourstory Photography, and Stephanie Wallace Photography.
“We really appreciate the city’s support on funding it the first year,” Schwenk said.
The program is expected to begin the call-out process for more grants in early 2022.
“We know of other buildings that would like to do some renovations in the future,” Schwenk said.