#ARTIFACTUAL
Downtown First
July 18, 2017
DEFINITION: Something made by human hands that has some archaeological or historical significance
Like the proverbial Phoenix from the ashes, St. Joseph’s historic downtown is on the rise. Downtown First (formerly known as First Saturdays) is a celebration of the district’s reemergence, complete with themes and samples from the area’s businesses.
It’s another First Saturday in the downtown district. An open invitation to celebrate the passion and precision that downtown’s unique small businesses offer – colorful macarons from Brioche French Bakery and Café, diligently selected cheese from Felix Street Gourmet, craft brews from The Tiger’s Den Bookstore and Bar, handmade scarves from Mod Podge Boutique, a creative cocktail from Club Geek, home décor from Nesting Goods, or vintage clothing and jewelry from The Lucky Tiger.
Downtown has become a blank canvas of landmark buildings and historic streets for young artists and entrepreneurs to create with, build upon, and breathe new life into.
“I hear it all the time now, ‘Wow! I didn’t know all this was down here.’ If you can get them downtown on a First Saturday, they will come back…Our main goal is to intertwine art and live music with commerce.”
Café Pony Espresso Barista, Arlo Elliott echoes those sentiments and facetiously refers to his profession as…
“…the artistry of coffee mixed with crass capitalism.”
Downtown First events incorporate fun themes and events like wine walks, sidewalk sales, cultural heritage festivals, Holidays at the Square, and whatever else the Downtown First board conjures up. Watch out in March for a leprechaun that’ll throw Lucky Charms cereal at you. On the surface, it appears to be all fun and merriment, but go a level deeper and you’ll uncover a sense of community, togetherness, and new possibilities that seem to waft through the air and intoxicate patrons.
For those that have grown up in this community and have only thought of downtown as a deteriorating ghost town with fading memories of yesteryear, events like First Saturdays are kind of surreal. To see these buildings filled with fresh perspectives and ideas, not to mention ACTUAL people is like watching the proverbial phoenix rise from the ashes.
Let the renaissance of downtown and Downtown First continue forevermore! Huzzah!
#PATRIOTIC
When you think of St. Joseph you might automatically think of the Pony Express or the historic architecture, but it’s doubtful many St. Joseph residents can picture the city without the big, gray airplanes that routinely fly over town.
#CURIOUS
Mount Mora Cemetery, home to 14,000 to 18,000 deceased individuals, is curiously and remarkably alive.
#INDUSTRIOUS
Joe Gray, founder of Gray Manufacturing, began the company with his inventor father, J.H. Gray.
#WANDERLUST
Starting in the 1910s organizations, communities, and even private individuals began developing the first paved highways to connect metropolitan areas which would collectively become known as the National Auto Trail system.
#CURIOUS
All you curious, brave, intrigued or surprise-seeking persons, preferably who have young people in your care: Check out Super Science Saturday for an uncommon learning experience. You can always settle your hair down on Monday.