Downtown appears to be on the cusp of a major restoration as multiple investors tackle large renovations.
Poplar Bluff City Manager Matt Winters has praised several local developers’ efforts to breathe life into some of the city’s aging places of business. Simultaneous efforts are underway from Vine Street to Main Street.
“There’s lots of work going on in town, lots of projects going on. It’s great to see,” Winters said at a Feb. 5 city council meeting.
The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Poplar Bluff Inc., have spearheaded a series of grants to aid investors including four recent awards for facade improvements, according to Winters.
Todd Henson of Poplar Bluff Realty and his wife Sierra have thrown their weight into this community project. Currently revamping 416 Vine St., the couple hopes to see the building return to its full potential as a business. Henson relayed the plumbing, electrical and the HVAC system all needed updating and replacement.
The lower floor of the property gained Mustardseed Artisan Market as a tenant. The market will serve as a space for local artists and crafters to sell their unique wares.
“We’re invested in downtown,” Henson affirmed, and hopes to see more tax credits and grants for the city center’s development.
Winters stated Dylan Acevedo, owner of the Hay’s Music Store building, has begun work to close up the structure’s collapsed corner.
Stephanie Knoppe, also of PB Realty, was among the first wave of hopefuls in the Downtown project. She owns 113, 111, and 109 S. Main St. The last of these properties hosts the Prom Closet, a boutique dress store Knoppe founded. 113 and 111 S. Main were later acquisitions as her business grew. She hopes to expand the Prom Closet into the adjacent buildings, eventually taking on bridal, formal wear, and cosmetics.
Knoppe is not only dedicated to the success of her buildings but to the advancement of Downtown as a whole.
“I’m invested in my friends’ buildings and their ideas,” she relayed and emphasized the importance of patronizing local businesses.
Both Knoppe and Henson applauded the efforts of the owners of Mimi’s Cafe, Myrtle’s Place and Haffy’s Sports Bar and Grill.
“That domino effect is starting,” Knoppe expounded.
She enjoys showing Downtown buildings and putting together renovation estimates for potential buyers. Knoppe hopes to see downtown full of businesses and thriving within the next five years.
A large amount of money and motivation is converging on Poplar Bluff’s former commercial center.
“We’ve really seen it pick up in the last three years,” Winters said. “People search for these unique spaces.”
In the age of big box establishments and indistinguishable chain stores, Downtown could provide a much sought-after commercial and cultural destination.