ANDERSON — Cathy Gray said she located her business in downtown Anderson because she wanted to be a part of the solution.
The challenge, said Gray, co-owner of Gray’s Design Studio, 1331 Main St., is making the city’s downtown area a destination spot for residents and visitors.
“I would love to see us be the Broad Ripple of Anderson,” Gray said.
Indianapolis' Broad Ripple Village is known as a culture and nightlife spot featuring a variety of bars, clubs, microbreweries, art galleries, one-of-a-kind shopping and restaurants. The idea of creating a similar environment is one Gray not only embraces, but she has fostered through her own business.
Gray’s Design Studio offers specialized design advice to homeowners to transform homes into tastefully decorated showpieces. Gray has owned the building on Main Street for five years and has run her business from the location for the past four.
“We are busy every single day,” she said. “Our problem is trying to keep up with work, not trying to find work. Some think being located in downtown Anderson there is less business, but that is so untrue. We have been very blessed with work.”
The key to her success, Gray said, is investing her time in her business.
“If you own a business, you have to treat it like it’s your other marriage,” she said.
The changes made by the city’s current administration of Mayor Kevin Smith are a move in the right direction, Gray said.
The city has spent $1.8 million for beautification along Jackson Street from Eighth Street to the railroad tracks south of 14th Street and crews with M.K. Betts Engineering have been installing new curbs, sidewalks and brick work for more than a month. New trees, shrubs and decorative lighting is also planned for the area.
Changes that residents can enjoy while in downtown Anderson and a draw for new businesses to relocate here.
“Our town needs a face lift,” Gray said. “It doesn’t have to be perfect, but when things are manicured and not built up, it makes a difference. That’s the main problem, we look unkempt. In order to convince others we have it going on, we have to look like we have it going on.”
Location, location
Nancy Moneyhun, owner of Moneyhun's Fine Gifts, 115 W. Eighth St., said her decision to locate in downtown Anderson in 1982 was carefully planned.
Muneyhun’s sells a variety of items for the home and personal care, as well as jewelry, purses and gadgets, in addition to hard-to-find items.
“It’s centrally located,” she said. “When we decided we were going to build we picked downtown because we like it and we weren’t going to have anybody dictate to us when we were going to be opened or closed.”
Moneyhun said certain strip malls and shopping areas require merchants to have set hours or pay a percentage of sales – dictating when and how businesses are operated.
She said Moneyhun's is successful because of the downtown Anderson location, not in spite of it.
Her customers are primarily women, but men enjoy the convenience of free gift wrapping and shipping services.
Jenny Kronenberg is a regular at Moneyhun's although she lives in Noblesville. She said she enjoys shopping at the downtown shop because she gets "special treatment."
"We come here weekly and the people are really nice," she said. "They go overboard to do things for us and we love the small-town feel."
Kronenberg said she collects a specialty item that is carried at the store, but she also visits a local pizzeria on Broadway when she comes to Anderson. She said if more retail options were available she would do more shopping in downtown Anderson.
"We love Art's Pizza and always eat there when we are in town," Kronenberg said.
Moneyhun agrees with Kronenberg and wants to see other gift shops, more restaurants and more retail locate in the downtown area.
“More variety,” she said. “And you could always use other entertainment – more special entertainment.”
Historically speaking
Chuck Rossen, owner of Star Photo Digital Arts, 902 Main St., said he would also like to see more restaurants locate in the downtown area.
“I like being in downtown Anderson,” he said. “But I’m here because of the history of the building I’m in.”
Rossen and his family have operated from the same location for almost 80 years. Rossen grew up in the downtown building where he operates his business and where he now provides a full-service photo lab and studio.
Blending old and new, Star Photo can process old film, print from negatives and provide restoration services. Star Photo also works with digital media and hosts Facebook parties and pet photography.
Rossen said he would like to see empty lots filled with buildings or serve a purpose in downtown Anderson.
“It has to happen organically,” Rossen said. “I don’t know of any kind of a program or a way to flip a switch to have businesses downtown.”