Making Old Town “That Vibrant, Active Place”
The project of revitalizing Old Town Pocatello continues to move forward. There is a recent bump in business with local people turning historical buildings into new spaces.
One look around Muse and you might forget you are in Pocatello. The shop’s owner, Kerry Harmon, has taken the old brick building, painted it black and renovated the entire inside to be her own edgy boutique.
“This is 24/7 for me. My brain never shuts down. I always think of something new and fun that I could do. One decision leads to another. And it definitely is a layering process,” she said.
Old Town brings in customers that she would not otherwise see coming through the doors, she said.
“The excitement that I get from the people walking in from the street, depending on whether it’s an ISU function or we’re having a block party or it’s the Art Walk. I have people coming in that wouldn’t normally have come in if it wouldn?t have been art walk. Or if they’re shopping at the Co-op. It’s a totally different clientele,” she said.
The businesses downtown all work to promote one another, Harmon said.
Old Town Pocatello, Inc. Executive Director Stephanie Palagi said that is the kind of renovation she is looking for, especially if it includes residences above the stores. She said the demand for housing in Old Town is never- ending.
“Folks want to live here because it’s more pedestrian focused. You don’t necessarily have to have a car to go to your neighborhood grocery store or favorite coffee shop or beautician. And what we’re seeing is that folks want to live in the downtown area for that reason,” Palagi said.
One local man, who could not be reached for comment, is turning Pocatello’s first fire department building into a body shop. Palagi said, any renovation is good renovation.
“We’re working hard. We’re working very hard to make sure that old town stays that vibrant, active place,” she said.
A pending project that people can look forward to is the renovation of the Center Street underpass. Palagi said it is not certain yet, but Old Town Pocatello, Inc. is planning to make the whole thing more inviting.
