Official: Having a 'Downtown' keeps people coming
BOISE - Businesses are feeling the economic pinch but some say with the downturn comes new opportunities.
It took downtown Boise more than 40 years to go from old, crumbling buildings to what we see today.
"I love our downtown," said Carollen Ryan, manager of Syringa's Boutique.
At a time when many small businesses are forced to close up shop, Ryan says downtown is far from dead and their shop is proof.
"We were excited to have the opportunity and the willingness to step out and open a new store," said Ryan.
Syringa is getting ready to open a second woman's clothing store, called Pink. It will be opening on 8th street, a spot Ryan says they've been waiting 11 years to get.
"8th street has the market, restaurants, it's like a European piazza," she said.
City planners say that idea was not a mistake.
"It's a place where people want to be," said Phil Kushlan, Executive Director for Capital City Development Corporation.
Kushlan says planners have worked hard to keep 8th street and downtown vibrant despite the economic slow down.
"People see this as a place with a strong future," he said.
In the last six months the Downtown Business Association says 14 businesses have closed. But 15 new ones have opened, and seven more are coming soon.
"I want to help build it back up again the way that it's been before and the way that it deserves to be again," said Ryan
Like the ladies at Syringa, city planners say it's important to learn from the past, but look a head to keep downtown growing.
It took downtown Boise more than 40 years to go from old, crumbling buildings to what we see today.
"I love our downtown," said Carollen Ryan, manager of Syringa's Boutique.
At a time when many small businesses are forced to close up shop, Ryan says downtown is far from dead and their shop is proof.
"We were excited to have the opportunity and the willingness to step out and open a new store," said Ryan.
Syringa is getting ready to open a second woman's clothing store, called Pink. It will be opening on 8th street, a spot Ryan says they've been waiting 11 years to get.
"8th street has the market, restaurants, it's like a European piazza," she said.
City planners say that idea was not a mistake.
"It's a place where people want to be," said Phil Kushlan, Executive Director for Capital City Development Corporation.
Kushlan says planners have worked hard to keep 8th street and downtown vibrant despite the economic slow down.
"People see this as a place with a strong future," he said.
In the last six months the Downtown Business Association says 14 businesses have closed. But 15 new ones have opened, and seven more are coming soon.
"I want to help build it back up again the way that it's been before and the way that it deserves to be again," said Ryan
Like the ladies at Syringa, city planners say it's important to learn from the past, but look a head to keep downtown growing.
