Changes are coming to Main Avenue after the first of the year that will help fill some of the vacant downtown retail space.
Several organizations are moving or expanding into high-profile locations where they expect to see more foot traffic.
The First National Bank of Durango plans to move its mortgage department into the former Steaming Bean location in the 900 block of Main Avenue in the first quarter of next year.
The move will return the bank back to its roots; it it started out in the building now occupied by the Wells Group, President and CEO Mark Daigle said.
“We’re just excited to be back out there on Main Street and showing our committee to the community,” he said.
It is also a good fit because the bank’s real estate agent and title offices are on Main Avenue, so it makes sense for the mortgage offices to have a presence, he said.
The bank is also planning to have an ATM at its new location and perhaps other services.
As part of the move, the landlord is planning to renovate the facade to incorporate more rock, which will help the building fit in with its surroundings, he said.
After 30 years, Brown’s Sport Shoe is moving to the corner of Main Avenue and 9th Street into the space formerly occupied by Durango Sports Zone.
As a result, Brown’s Shoe Fit and Brown’s Sport Shoe will face each other and make it easier for customers to be referred from one store to the other, owner Steve Swisher said.
“It certainly logistically is a really good deal,” he said.
Brown’s Sport Shoe expects to open on Jan. 15 in the larger space, which will give the company an opportunity to expand its inventory and improve the store’s exposure, Swisher said.
“We are really pleased and happy to have an opportunity to once again improve our retail commitment to downtown,” he said.
Claude Steelman plans to open a gallery in January or February in Brown’s Sport Shoe old location in the 800 block of Main Avenue.
Steelman’s photography has been displayed in Mesteno Gallery for the last two years, but since that gallery is closing, Steelman is planning to open his own location again.
Steelman ran his Wildshots Gallery for five years, but over the last two years he has been focusing on his photography and some of his new work will be featured in his new location.
The relocation will require some remodeling, but he expects to be open before Valentine’s Day.
Stillwater Music is moving from 32nd Street to the Crossroads Center on Main Avenue in February.
The nonprofit, which teaches music in an ensemble setting, had been operating out of an old car wash in an alleyway. The new location will give the organization parking and room to grow, Executive Director Jeroen van Tyn said.
The new location is also next door to Katzin Music, which offers private lessons, he said.
“It’s a perfect synergistic opportunity for us,” he said.
The nonprofit is moving into a space formerly occupied by a furniture store and a remodel is already underway. The nonprofit is building four sound-proof classrooms in the 3,200-square-foot building, van Tyn said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
