Almost 62 years after its original grand opening that drew a crowd of almost 5,000, The Meadows shopping center packed its parking lot once again at a grand re-opening Saturday.
To celebrate its new ownership and revitalization, The Meadows was hopping with activities and events for much of the day.
Folks enjoyed the recently-moved farmer’s market, music from WTHI-FM 99.9, live performance from Ross David and information booths from 20 local non-profit groups.
Event coordinator Betsy Peperak said each of the activities Saturday aimed to support the mission of the new owners to become a proper steward for the east side shopping center and Terre Haute in general.
“The owners really want to be a partner to small businesses and non-profit groups in the community,” Peperak said. “Their goal is to breathe life back into The Meadows, revive this place and make sure there’s always something going on here.”
Peperak said changes brought about by the new owners are readily apparent even though they’ve been in business just six months. Their passion for what The Meadows has been and what they think it can be drives them, she said.
“Everything that is happening today is because of the owners’ passion for this place,” Peperak said. “They remember coming here when they were children, just like everybody remembers The Meadows from their childhood, and so they bought this place with that nostalgia in mind.”
“It’s their passion for this and their passion for Terre Haute that will see this through. If someone from out of town would have bought The Meadows we wouldn’t see this happening.”
It’s that passion and energy that attracted new business owners Chris and Kayla Doti to bring a new baby and children’s boutique to The Meadows.
The Stork Stop, opening in September, looks to fill a niche left behind by the closing of Babies “R” Us and Carson’s, the owners said.
“With Babies “R” Us and all those going out I was one of those moms freaking out and thinking where are we going to get everything because I don’t want to drive,” Kayla Doti said. “So we just kind of had the idea for it and now we’re turning the idea into a dream and the dream into a reality.”
Chris Doti, who grew up on Terre Haute’s east side, said if Saturday’s showing is any indication, the new Meadows and his new business will be well supported.
“Seeing what the new owners did within weeks of first owning The Meadows and seeing the positive energy coming back gave us hope and made us want to be a part of that,” Chris Doti said.