In December, the Vine Neighborhood Association received a State Historic Preservation Grant. This grant was awarded for their efforts to maintain the historic structures and neighborhood of Vine.
Association Director Steve Walsh says with the grant the association was able to buy the Central Corners building on the corner of Vine and Westnedge. Walsh says, as the owner of the building, the association can control which businesses are a part of the Vine Business District.
“What we’re trying to do in this commercial corridor is really develop a sense of place and so what we want is that the businesses that are here are all in harmony with each other and supportive of each other,” says Walsh.
By purchasing the corridor, Walsh says the association can not only help to create harmony, but also help support the local economy.
“There’s all sorts of studies that show for every dollar that is spent in this neighborhood it becomes three dollars. Because the folks that are serving the coffee, or working at Martinis, or even at the record store are all folks that live in the neighborhood," he says. "So all that money stays centralized, and all of it stays localized.”
According to the Upjohn Institute in 2012, about 60 people lived and worked in the Vine neighborhood. Walsh says that there’s plenty of room for more development in the Vine area.
“I think what makes us attractive for the neighborhood and the community at large is that these are unique shops, these are unique entities,” he says.
Leanne Beadle is a manager at Crazy Monkey Tattoos. She says the Vine business community has been very welcoming to her and the other artists.
“That brings all cultures to this area all different types of artist banding together to put their creative twist on Kalamazoo,” she says.
In early spring, Kalamazoo native Jayne Gulliver opened the doors of her vintage store J-Bird. She says she feels right at home in the Vine neighborhood.
“I really am excited about all of the things happening here. With the El Sol Elementary and Chenery being across the street from me and KAMSC is over there. And I think there are some great businesses around this neighborhood like Martinis and Crow’s Nest and Fourth Coast and Satellite Records. And I thought that the Vintage fit in well with all of those businesses, and with all of the college students and families in the neighborhood too.”
El Sol Elementary teaches in both Spanish and English, Chenery is a performance space, and KAMSC is the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center.
Gulliver says she specifically wanted to have her business in the Vine neighborhood.
“I think what I wanted to do was start something where I could be a part of Kalamazoo and a part of making it better or growing with it," she says. "And I think that this neighborhood is just a really good spot to do that. And I want to be a part of a positive change.”
Along with Kalamazoo Art Hops, Gulliver says she would like to host speakers and styling sessions. She says she would like her store to serve as an open space for Vine residents.
“I would like to have people feel comfortable coming to me and saying ‘hey what about this,’ you know ‘can I do this in your shop,’ or ‘can we collaborate on something’," she says. "You know my goal is for people to come in and feel at home here and feel like this is a part of their neighborhood and that I’m accessible and open to ideas, I love ideas.”
Even if her store expands, Gulliver says she plans on remaining in the Vine neighborhood.
“I think that down town has great things going on and businesses do well. But I also see people going back and forth from Vine to downtown more also. I think that gap is being connected between Vine and downtown, so I’m excited to be here,” says Gulliver.
