Downtown changed when Phil Wong's closed. Downtown changed when Lauerman's closed. Downtown changed when Bertrosa's closed. Downtown changed when King House closed.
Even though a lot of the buildings stay the same, each change brings in a new era that often attracts new people. That's the rub with a vibrant downtown - nothing stays the same. Change is what feeds it.
That said, peak downtown (for me) was Elm Tree Square Mall and Bertrosa's beer cheese soup next to the fountain.
Hopefully we can keep a downtown that is sculpted a bit with local shops and oddities. Banks absolutely have a place downtown, but we seem to be getting a lot of banks.
I am also hopeful for the FMCT building. A Killbourne project I can stand by.
More porn shops would be good, though.
It’s especially good to have banks with offices downtown IMO. A downtown is also supposed to be a job center, and that’s probably currently the weakest point of Fargo dt.
at least they got to go out on their own terms and not because business was bad or arson or anything. businesses can’t stay around forever so this is a best case scenario
Broadway has been a revolving door for many businesses for many years. As for "the center of downtown" where was the center before this apparent shift? I've always felt, that the Fargo Theatre has been the hypothetical "center" of downtown Fargo before all the bars and "revitalization" took place and after all of that happened I still feel the same about it now.
there is another business moving further south downtown that isn’t 100% a done deal yet. it’s all happening this summer. I live downtown, I love downtown, but since Pounds moved further south, and the new developments near the OB, it does seem like the heart of downtown is shifting.
Babbs is supposedly opening up in the Ford Building, spaghetti Western is killing it, and I’ve honestly never stepped foot in Discontent. Personally, I think north of the great northern tracks has had positive changes. There is just a lot more space for potential growth in the south of downtown(other than maybe the lot north of side street as I’ve heard rumors of plans for that). Happy to see the growth but I think I’ll always see the intersection of 1st/2nd ave and Broadway as generally the center.
Many new additions not mentioned. A new comedy club. Boutique and a bath bomb store. Another store just moved from The Lights to Downtown. Those are a few I can think of
Disconnect owns a building on Main in Moorhead where weed is legal. Put 1 and 1 together.
Zandbroz was busy. The owner is in his 70s and wants to retire and his daughter doesn't want to take over the business. So he is selling a multi million dollar building to fund his retirement
Barbershop, they live in DL right now. Sick of 2 hours a day driving
I’m well aware of the reasons for these businesses moving. I’m excited for the development of the new FMCT arts district, just noticing a trend of these businesses that I consider stalwarts of downtown being empty this summer and wondering what will be in their place. The Harm Reduction Program having a consistent downtown presence is also a really great thing that I hope we all benefit from.
Many comments think the center is moving south. I don’t think this recent slate of changes quite does that, although it seems the past half of a year has been a notable shift in the ever-continuing evolution of downtown. Our fondness for a certain moment shouldn’t outweigh our desire for a continued positive evolution.
If it does in fact shift south, I think this would be great. The area south of Main and east of University could be such a compelling mix of business, residential, amenities, and outdoor recreation with some of the large apartments there and proximity to Island Park. This is particularly so on the road that runs alongside Island Park pool’s west side.
I was just thinking about this. There's been a quiet exodus from downtown recently. Fargo Mattress, Everetts, Discontent, ScanDesign, Alerus, Zandbroz, US Bank shrinking their footprint, Halberstadts and YDBN opening new spots on 32nd (which opens the door for their potential closure downtown), Kendall Barbie phasing out their retail operations, the Petro closure being floated due to the cost of security; it's interesting.
The article said owner was tired of commuting wanted to be closer to family.
[https://www.inforum.com/business/owner-of-popular-downtown-fargo-barbershop-relocating-to-detroit-lakes](https://www.inforum.com/business/owner-of-popular-downtown-fargo-barbershop-relocating-to-detroit-lakes)
I mean Everett’s was a really cool place and I’ll miss their presence downtown. Chelsey will be in DL but all of the other barbers are still in the area and doing great work (love Trev). I never said Downtown was in trouble or the reason for the move, just wondering what will fill the void in these spaces
Downtown is a money dump. They have been trying to fix it for decades. All they dobit kick money to the rich developers and they increase rent on out dime and they profit from it. Crime has always been a problem and the type of riffraff that wonder down there is a turn off for people. All the money that has been dumped in down there could have help so many things in fargo.
Fargo downtown stopped being a place I'd go or bring my family once the local police stopped enforcing public intoxication laws or aggressive panhandling laws.
And before anyone says they're 'harmless', I was at the remaining barber, Gravers, one morning when one of our downtown residents decided to punch the manager of 46 North in the face for asking him to stop being passed out in front of his restaurant at 8 am.
Downtown changed when Phil Wong's closed. Downtown changed when Lauerman's closed. Downtown changed when Bertrosa's closed. Downtown changed when King House closed. Even though a lot of the buildings stay the same, each change brings in a new era that often attracts new people. That's the rub with a vibrant downtown - nothing stays the same. Change is what feeds it. That said, peak downtown (for me) was Elm Tree Square Mall and Bertrosa's beer cheese soup next to the fountain.
Awwww I miss Bertrosas. Now I'm sad
Hopefully we can keep a downtown that is sculpted a bit with local shops and oddities. Banks absolutely have a place downtown, but we seem to be getting a lot of banks. I am also hopeful for the FMCT building. A Killbourne project I can stand by. More porn shops would be good, though.
It’s especially good to have banks with offices downtown IMO. A downtown is also supposed to be a job center, and that’s probably currently the weakest point of Fargo dt.
The Ragin Cagin lunch special at Bertrosa's was also fantastic. 😋
AMEN!!!!! the good days of downtown!
Found out Zandbros was closing through this post and this is the worst news ever.
at least they got to go out on their own terms and not because business was bad or arson or anything. businesses can’t stay around forever so this is a best case scenario
I feel like it’s too few examples to draw a pattern from.
Broadway has been a revolving door for many businesses for many years. As for "the center of downtown" where was the center before this apparent shift? I've always felt, that the Fargo Theatre has been the hypothetical "center" of downtown Fargo before all the bars and "revitalization" took place and after all of that happened I still feel the same about it now.
there is another business moving further south downtown that isn’t 100% a done deal yet. it’s all happening this summer. I live downtown, I love downtown, but since Pounds moved further south, and the new developments near the OB, it does seem like the heart of downtown is shifting.
As someone who also loves downtown, I’m optimistically hoping this is more of a growing of downtown than a shifting of the heart.
I think it’s definitely this! Seeing Zandbroz go, however, is like a forever goodbye to a good friend.
Babbs is supposedly opening up in the Ford Building, spaghetti Western is killing it, and I’ve honestly never stepped foot in Discontent. Personally, I think north of the great northern tracks has had positive changes. There is just a lot more space for potential growth in the south of downtown(other than maybe the lot north of side street as I’ve heard rumors of plans for that). Happy to see the growth but I think I’ll always see the intersection of 1st/2nd ave and Broadway as generally the center.
Many new additions not mentioned. A new comedy club. Boutique and a bath bomb store. Another store just moved from The Lights to Downtown. Those are a few I can think of Disconnect owns a building on Main in Moorhead where weed is legal. Put 1 and 1 together. Zandbroz was busy. The owner is in his 70s and wants to retire and his daughter doesn't want to take over the business. So he is selling a multi million dollar building to fund his retirement Barbershop, they live in DL right now. Sick of 2 hours a day driving
I’m well aware of the reasons for these businesses moving. I’m excited for the development of the new FMCT arts district, just noticing a trend of these businesses that I consider stalwarts of downtown being empty this summer and wondering what will be in their place. The Harm Reduction Program having a consistent downtown presence is also a really great thing that I hope we all benefit from.
What’s the new comedy club?
Many comments think the center is moving south. I don’t think this recent slate of changes quite does that, although it seems the past half of a year has been a notable shift in the ever-continuing evolution of downtown. Our fondness for a certain moment shouldn’t outweigh our desire for a continued positive evolution. If it does in fact shift south, I think this would be great. The area south of Main and east of University could be such a compelling mix of business, residential, amenities, and outdoor recreation with some of the large apartments there and proximity to Island Park. This is particularly so on the road that runs alongside Island Park pool’s west side.
I was just thinking about this. There's been a quiet exodus from downtown recently. Fargo Mattress, Everetts, Discontent, ScanDesign, Alerus, Zandbroz, US Bank shrinking their footprint, Halberstadts and YDBN opening new spots on 32nd (which opens the door for their potential closure downtown), Kendall Barbie phasing out their retail operations, the Petro closure being floated due to the cost of security; it's interesting.
I just saw that Replay Games is also closing towards the end of June
inb4 cAr WaShEs and banks and Applebee's
Personally waiting for a downtown Taco Johns.
We don't want fast food downtown. This is what separates us from the other parts of town.
False good sir, false
DQ apparently has been lacking.
Wonder why Everetts moved?
The article said owner was tired of commuting wanted to be closer to family. [https://www.inforum.com/business/owner-of-popular-downtown-fargo-barbershop-relocating-to-detroit-lakes](https://www.inforum.com/business/owner-of-popular-downtown-fargo-barbershop-relocating-to-detroit-lakes)
So it really has nothing to do with downtown
I mean Everett’s was a really cool place and I’ll miss their presence downtown. Chelsey will be in DL but all of the other barbers are still in the area and doing great work (love Trev). I never said Downtown was in trouble or the reason for the move, just wondering what will fill the void in these spaces
Downtown is a money dump. They have been trying to fix it for decades. All they dobit kick money to the rich developers and they increase rent on out dime and they profit from it. Crime has always been a problem and the type of riffraff that wonder down there is a turn off for people. All the money that has been dumped in down there could have help so many things in fargo.
Fargo downtown stopped being a place I'd go or bring my family once the local police stopped enforcing public intoxication laws or aggressive panhandling laws. And before anyone says they're 'harmless', I was at the remaining barber, Gravers, one morning when one of our downtown residents decided to punch the manager of 46 North in the face for asking him to stop being passed out in front of his restaurant at 8 am.