One Blair County town is working to open more local businesses, and some big changes are coming in the new year.
“There’s a great resurgence happening in Hollidaysburg,” said Michael Balchin, Main Street Manager.
In the next six months to a year, another three to five businesses will open in Hollidaysburg. Two of those could be in the old theater, which is currently being converted into retail space.
“We’re seeing a lot of development coming to Hollidaysburg in the retail sector, which is very, very exciting,” Balchin said. We’re getting a nice mix now of a lot of great stores and a really great reason to come back down to Downtown.”
Also coming in the new year: a new juice bar by the post office; an expansion to the Sapphire 9 boutique; a take-home catering place; a chat and chew; and maybe even a new downtown diner.
“The newer businesses seem to have picked up over the past five years, and it just seems to be getting better every year,” said Connie Hurd, President of the Hollidaysburg Community Partnership. “The store fronts seem to be filled and very seldom do we have any vacancies. Because of this, of course, it makes the tenants want to stay.”
Part of their success is that Hollidaysburg is the county seat, which does bring in some people. The rest come for events. More than 11,000 people came to the town events this year, and many of them take the time to check out the shops.
“For me, it’s a no-brainer,” said business owner Natasha McKnight. McKnight opened Sapphire 9 over a year ago. “I mean, I have neighbors here, my fellow shop owners, who are so supportive and they truly have become friends. …People, I think, with society these days are seeking that more than ever, to feel part of a community and to feel like there are people who do care and are your friends and do want to have you in town. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
The community partnership said they would also like to see something happen with the old church for rent on the corner of Allegheny and Wayne Streets. They suggested a restaurant or brewery could be successful.