Last fall we told you about a small group called 39 North Downtown that came together to help revitalize Victorian Square and the surrounding area. Organizers say in the five months since they started, their group has quickly grown and they are now ready to make big changes.
Weekday business at O'Ski's Bar and Grille on Victorian Square got so slow that they are no longer open for lunch. Owner Cindy Pisiewski says when the Sparks Farmer's Market moved away from their area and closer to the Nugget, it changed everything.
“Huge impact, it really did, because people were used to coming down to this area because this is where families came down, music was happening, everything was happening,” says owner Cindy Pisiewski.
Now a group called 39 North Downtown wants to bring activity back to Victorian Square and revitalize the area from Prater to Victorian and Rock to Pyramid.
"Well, my business has been down here for nine years and I have been itching to do something in this area,” says Kim Ciesynski of 39 North Downtown.
"The whole area just needs a whole lot more life 365 days a year and that means more vibrant shopping opportunities, dining opportunities."
So Tom Young, owner of Great Basin Brewing Company has joined with 39 North to help make that happen. Some 50 business owners and residents meet once a month to put their plans in motion.
"Part of that creating new businesses down here and all that stuff, but we also want to create something that our people are proud of,” says Kristopher Dahir of 39 North Downtown.
One source of pride and tradition has been the summertime farmer's market every Thursday on Victorian Square. But organizers for that event have relocated it to Reno. So, 39 North Downtown has created a new one- called The Marketplace.
"We are going to have everything from cheeses and meats and fish to produce and artisans - but real artists that come down here to sell their goods,” says Ciesynski.
Angela Handler is one of the founding members of 39 North, and says the new farmer's market is just one way the group hopes revitalize Sparks - because they believe the area has potential for real success.
"So we're not taking any money out of this - it's just straight for the community, the residents."
If you're interested in being a vendor at this summer's marketplace on Victorian Square, 39 North Downtown would like to hear from you –
Just email:
or go to http://www.39northdowntown.com for more information.
