By Marissa Amoni –
There’s a lot happening in the Aurora downtown right now. Spring and Summer, downtown Aurora will welcome many new businesses, as well as new residents. Here’s a quick rundown on some current activities:
• Construction is happening at what soon will be Society 57 in Aurora’s historical Pocus building on the southeast corner of Benton and River Streets. Society 57, run by nonprofit Project Canvas, soon will become home to not only The Orchard Community Church, but it will serve as a seven-day a week social space designed to imaginatively bring people together from all walks of life. The first phase, under development, will include more than 9,000 square feet of space and will feature a premiere wedding and event venue, an innovative coffeehouse, and mid-size meetings rooms. Find out more at society57.com.
• Jennifer Gullang with The PiEproject (Practice, Invest, Experience) is eager to join the downtown community. Gullang started the community initiative that uses yoga, social awareness, and creative expression to deliver impact. Gullang hopes to provide unique yoga experiences that change the optimal health of the entire community. Look for opportunities to invest and grow these experiences when Gullang expands her reach this Summer by offering yoga classes in downtown Aurora. Check out M.A.S. Sunday, April 7 at Aurora Public Art. Find The PiEproject Foundation on Facebook.
• Latrice Murphy Design and Photography is opening at 61 S. Broadway. Photographer Latrice Murphy will open up the new street-level studio in April. Murphy wants to share the 1,300-square-foot studio with other photographers, creatives, and artists looking to share their passion. There will be a grand opening from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Learn more about Latrice Murphy at latricemurphydesign.com.
• Branch Gardens, 77 S. Lake Street, expanded into the old firehouse next door with the addition of vintage decor and home goods. Owner Kori Kasper opened up Branch Gardens in Spring 2018. Kasper, along with some antique vendors, have created a welcoming spot adjacent to the corner garden center that she runs with her husband, Bryan. Follow Branch Gardens on Instagram and Facebook.
• A couple of other projects, BeeBee’s Deli and Tavern on Broadway are in the works and are planned to open in the coming months.
With growth comes construction, so look for a couple of projects to break ground in the Summer. Updates are planned for Lot E on the southeast corner of Broadway and New York Street starting in the Summer. The hidden parking lot will receive a new, more-accessible layout as well as esthetic improvements to the adjacent buildings’ facade. Updates are planned for the intersection of Benton Street and Stolp Avenue that include more green space and more pedestrian-friendly features.
Two grand openings are planned for June 1. Paramount School of the Arts, 20 S. Stolp Avenue, and The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, will open its doors.
This Spring, residents will move into the Artesan Lofts in the former Waubonsee Community College Downtown Campus building at Stolp Avenue and Galena Boulevard starting in April.
It’s going to be an exciting next few months. See you downtown.
Marissa Amoni is the manager of Aurora Downtown, a nonprofit of downtown business and property owners in Special Service Area #One. Stop by www.auroradowntown.org to see the calendar of upcoming events and more downtown news.
