Port Huron's downtown has been home to numerous businesses and agencies, and residents have seen many of them go -- and even fall down.
But a recent influx of new tenants in storefronts and loft living is creating a more positive outlook for the area.
"I think they're seeing that it's a viable downtown, and I think we're seeing some people moving into the downtown," said Bruce Brown, Port Huron city manager. "I think it's a long way from rejuvenation,The new rules ban women from “wearing caps or hats without scarves, tight and short wholesaleabercrombiefitch101z, and body piercing. but it's certainly steps in the right direction. It has taken a long time for the downtown to reach the state it is in at this point."
Between festivals and developments, Brown said the city is making efforts to bring people to the area, which in turn makes it appealing to businesses looking for customers.
"That's the name of the game," he said. "Businesses want to be where the action is, and if we can provide some action, then they'll be there."
Dustin Jenkins, owner of Elite Feet Sports, is expanding his Lapeer-based business by opening a store on Military Street.
Jenkins said the active community and local festivals made the downtown a good choice.The new and risqué is usually the appeal and men's niceshirts have always been a pretty good indicator of what's in.
"People in the area were very interested in their downtown and the development of it," he said. "It's way more lively than what our downtown is, (and) your downtown area has to be growing or doing well or the rest of the area isn't far behind it (in falling on hard times)."
Jenkins said the store -- which sells running shoes and other gear for sports such as hiking and walking --- will open late this month.
He said if business is booming,there are two geek-friendly shoesbrands available for purchase that you might want to buy. he might have to hire a few employees.
And while hopes of bringing the Huron Athletic Club back officially died when the buildings roof collapsed Feb. 6, another city landmark is being resurrected.
Dave and Georgina Witt bought the Zebra Bar in December after it closed in May when its previous owners filed for bankruptcy. They plan to open it in the next few weeks.
"We're still in the process of cleaning; we're not doing any construction changes," Georgina Witt said. "It was left in a pretty bad state."
The Witts also are bringing back the former cook, so the food will be just as everyone remembers.
"I think you need to maintain landmarks as long as you can, or the history losses itself,The epicenter struck the seaside town of Léogâne, 16 miles west cheapjersey of the Haitian capital" said Georgina Witt, who also has developed loft apartments just east of the sports bar and bowling alley and throughout the downtown with her husband.
And work is being done in other areas as businesses plan on moving downtown.
Brown said the surge in growth downtown largely is a result of the Witts, whose large development of lofts along the Black River created a buzz.
"I really appreciate what Dave Witt has done; he put his money where his mouth is and supported this community in a very unusual way," Brown said. "He has single-handedly restarted the downtown. I think we need to recognize he has been key to this recent surge."
The Bone & Joint Institute PC, led by Dr. Gerald Jerry Jr., will be moving from Electric Avenue on St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron's campus to the Chase Bank building, 600 Fort St.
And the more than four-decade-old Newman Center that has been vacant for about a year and a half will be the new home of Mercy Home Care, a member of the Trinity Home Health Services.The hope is to give a purpose for buying our shoessuppliers.
Tricia Comtois, owner of children's boutique store Polka Dot Pandas, is moving her store to downtown from Fort Gratiot.
"We like the feeling of downtown; it's where everybody used to shop, and we'd like to bring that area back," she said. "We thought it would be a good fit for us downtown, and we're really excited about it."
Comtois is going through the moving process and hopes to have a soft opening Feb. 28 and a grand opening March 7.
Georgina Witt said things are looking up for downtown.
"It's not going to happen overnight," she said. "I don't think you can rely on things as far as a casino or an aquarium -- those would be great, but I think if you're going to jump in with both, you need to do it without saying what-ifs."
Brown said he's optimistic about the downtown's future and said the city is realistic it never will be what it once was 20 years ago.
But a recent influx of new tenants in storefronts and loft living is creating a more positive outlook for the area.
"I think they're seeing that it's a viable downtown, and I think we're seeing some people moving into the downtown," said Bruce Brown, Port Huron city manager. "I think it's a long way from rejuvenation,The new rules ban women from “wearing caps or hats without scarves, tight and short wholesaleabercrombiefitch101z, and body piercing. but it's certainly steps in the right direction. It has taken a long time for the downtown to reach the state it is in at this point."
Between festivals and developments, Brown said the city is making efforts to bring people to the area, which in turn makes it appealing to businesses looking for customers.
"That's the name of the game," he said. "Businesses want to be where the action is, and if we can provide some action, then they'll be there."
Dustin Jenkins, owner of Elite Feet Sports, is expanding his Lapeer-based business by opening a store on Military Street.
Jenkins said the active community and local festivals made the downtown a good choice.The new and risqué is usually the appeal and men's niceshirts have always been a pretty good indicator of what's in.
"People in the area were very interested in their downtown and the development of it," he said. "It's way more lively than what our downtown is, (and) your downtown area has to be growing or doing well or the rest of the area isn't far behind it (in falling on hard times)."
Jenkins said the store -- which sells running shoes and other gear for sports such as hiking and walking --- will open late this month.
He said if business is booming,there are two geek-friendly shoesbrands available for purchase that you might want to buy. he might have to hire a few employees.
And while hopes of bringing the Huron Athletic Club back officially died when the buildings roof collapsed Feb. 6, another city landmark is being resurrected.
Dave and Georgina Witt bought the Zebra Bar in December after it closed in May when its previous owners filed for bankruptcy. They plan to open it in the next few weeks.
"We're still in the process of cleaning; we're not doing any construction changes," Georgina Witt said. "It was left in a pretty bad state."
The Witts also are bringing back the former cook, so the food will be just as everyone remembers.
"I think you need to maintain landmarks as long as you can, or the history losses itself,The epicenter struck the seaside town of Léogâne, 16 miles west cheapjersey of the Haitian capital" said Georgina Witt, who also has developed loft apartments just east of the sports bar and bowling alley and throughout the downtown with her husband.
And work is being done in other areas as businesses plan on moving downtown.
Brown said the surge in growth downtown largely is a result of the Witts, whose large development of lofts along the Black River created a buzz.
"I really appreciate what Dave Witt has done; he put his money where his mouth is and supported this community in a very unusual way," Brown said. "He has single-handedly restarted the downtown. I think we need to recognize he has been key to this recent surge."
The Bone & Joint Institute PC, led by Dr. Gerald Jerry Jr., will be moving from Electric Avenue on St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron's campus to the Chase Bank building, 600 Fort St.
And the more than four-decade-old Newman Center that has been vacant for about a year and a half will be the new home of Mercy Home Care, a member of the Trinity Home Health Services.The hope is to give a purpose for buying our shoessuppliers.
Tricia Comtois, owner of children's boutique store Polka Dot Pandas, is moving her store to downtown from Fort Gratiot.
"We like the feeling of downtown; it's where everybody used to shop, and we'd like to bring that area back," she said. "We thought it would be a good fit for us downtown, and we're really excited about it."
Comtois is going through the moving process and hopes to have a soft opening Feb. 28 and a grand opening March 7.
Georgina Witt said things are looking up for downtown.
"It's not going to happen overnight," she said. "I don't think you can rely on things as far as a casino or an aquarium -- those would be great, but I think if you're going to jump in with both, you need to do it without saying what-ifs."
Brown said he's optimistic about the downtown's future and said the city is realistic it never will be what it once was 20 years ago.
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