Evolving downtown: New merchants excited about opportunities in busy district
By PAMELA J. PODGER of the Missoulian
Drawing inspiration from retail trends in larger cities, there are changes afoot in downtown Missoula, with several new or relocated stores along Higgins Avenue.
The stores' owners have a common element: They're poised for new challenges. As Missoula grows, they said, their stores offer wares typically found in Seattle, Portland and other cities.
Downtown, which is known for its trendy boutiques, continues evolving. In fact, downtown Missoula was one of five “unsung shopping locales” featured in Lucky magazine last August.
“It is still a rural place, but I think Missoula is becoming more and more cosmopolitan,” said Linda McCarthy, executive director of the Missoula Downtown Association.
Montana native Julie Hilley : opened MkLaren recently in downtown Missoula. The store, affiliated with Meridian Ltd., sells apparel, accessories, jewelry and shoes. Photo by MICHAEL GALLACHER/Missoulian
Thus the new offerings:
Capturing a piece of the craze over letterpress and fine stationery, a new paperie store will open in June at 101 S. Higgins.
Called Noteworthy Paper and Press, the shop will feature custom invitations, sustainable and handmade papers, organizers, ribbons and other products.
Graphic designers Amy Dolan and Taylor Barrett Valliant said they'll bring these goods, similar to the offerings at Chicago-based Paper Source, to the 1,300-square-foot space. They'll have a letterpress for handcrafted invitations, announcements and other items. The duo consulted with two paperies in Seattle who gave them advice and pointers.
With a 700-square-foot basement space, they'll also have a place to hold workshops. In about a year, they intend to have a Web presence for their goods.
“We'll be the experts on all things paper,” Dolan said. “This is the time in our lives to move forward with a new venture. There are ‘paper people' everywhere and I think Missoula is ready.”
The Gibson-Schweyen Gallery & Studio moved recently to 248A N. Higgins Ave., creating synergy with the adjacent Dana Gallery.
Brian Schweyen said his gallery features Montana artists, with oil paintings, sculpture and mixed media. The shop also has studio space for the working artists. Prices range from $40 for jewelry to $14,900 for some pieces of sculpture.
He said the move from 110 W. Front to the corner space, which has windows fronting Higgins and Broadway, should help increase their visibility and attract passers-by. He said he's heard of businesses dramatically increasing their revenues once they've moved to Higgins.
“It's the busiest street in town,” Schweyen said. “The difference between being on Higgins and several blocks away is tremendous.”
MkLaren is expanding the number of women's contemporary boutiques in downtown at 124 N. Higgins. The roughly 2,000-square-foot store opened last week.
Owner Julie Hilley said they'll sell apparel, accessories, jewelry and shoes. The store is affiliated with Meridian Ltd., which has stores in Bozeman, Billings and suburban Minneapolis.
“This is a great addition to downtown Missoula's shopping,” Hilley said. “It'll enhance what is already here.”
One recent trend downtown is the move of several retail stores north on Higgins, said McCarthy.
Missoula's first urban retail co-op - sharing the space, electricity and other costs of running two complementary businesses - has surfaced at 531 N. Higgins.
Margit Meriwether, owner of Nolita, is running the co-op with interior designer Robyn Woodhall. Meriwether said the co-op is similar to an “amped up” version of Anthropologie.
“In more metropolitan areas, there are lifestyle concept stores that carry nice furnishings and clothing,” Meriwether said. “We felt like Missoula was ready for something like that.”
Meriwether, who owns another store in Portland's Pearl District, said her store sells denim made from organic cotton with “eco-friendly” dyes, as well as unique collections designed by Helmut Lang. Her “denim bar” has jeans starting at $170 a pair.
She said the two women were eager to do a co-op.
“We both have an eye for fashion, design and enjoy each other,” Meriwether said. “We felt it was time to take both of our businesses to the next level.”
She said the new space is close to parking and the farmers market. It has storefront visibility on both North Higgins and West Alder.
She's teaming up with Woodhall, who is launching Evolve home furnishings with “eco-friendly” sofas, linens, and rugs. Woodhall also sells linens, pillows, lamps and gift items.
Woodhall said the 3,900-square-foot space will allow her have a showroom. She'll also continue her design work for Towne Interiors.
“We had a really good merge being next to each other in our previous space,” Woodhall said. “This was a chance to go to a new part of downtown. We're longtime friends and have been talking about it for a long time.”
While the former Nolita space is being transformed into the paperie, building owner John Coffee said he's working on the next tenant for the former Towne Interior space. He said nothing is finalized yet, but he expects a gift shop will move into the location.
Reporter Pamela J. Podger may be reached at 523-5241 or at pamela.podger@missoulian.com.
