SOUTHMACD: Old & New Businesses Regenerate a Block Off-Main Street

Let's give it a name: SouthMacD
The block-long area on Macdonald Street, South of Main Street to First Avenue

Bill Wahl

Your MesaZona blogger wants to start off by going back to an opinion piece from the East Valley Tribune written by Mark J. Scarp on October 27, 2012 about Mesa: 
" . . . downtowns are more than just a collection of a few big-name projects. The large landmarks are the catalyst for an equally vital component to a strong downtown: small business. This includes places to eat, to be entertained, to buy interesting products and services not usually found in a shopping mall."
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/columns/east_valley_voices/article_0321bf0e-1fc9-11e2-9957-0019bb2963f4.html 

When your blogger lived in New York City, everyone raved about SOHO, but I always said, "So What?" . . . After living in downtown Mesa for about a year-and-a-half there's no way not to get excited about the block of Macdonald Street South of Main. 
There's a back-access behind 101 Main Street and The Nile Theater that can be called "Arts Alley" -  maybe that should be called AASOM [Get it? Awesome] where you'll find a brick-paved passageway convenient for parking with colorful banners overhead on the sides of buildings for arts, theater and music organizations. 
A few steps away under the veranda sidewalk shade structures in place since the 1980's you can find the locations on the west side of the street for more than 60 years of two of the oldest "Mom & Pop" or just "Pop" service establishments in downtown Mesa: Mesa Typewriter Exchange with 3rd-generation family owner Bill Wahl and Lamb's Shoe Repair where a guy named George took over the business from his previous employer.
When asked how business is going, both owners said "Business is booming" . . . good to know these hands-on owners in skilled manual trades have been keeping customers happy and coming back for so many years when a lot of storefronts and commercial properties on Main Street have stood vacant for far too long.
Your blogger snapped Bill in the middle of taking a call from a customer from his office space at the back of the vintage typewriter displays. He's a busy guy but has taken the time on a number of days to chat about the business development of downtown and to exchange views about friendly politics.

The New Urban Downtown Mesa now has a convenience store. Just down the block a few steps from these two shops is what's called "The Inconvenience Store". It's operated by people from the Transitional Living Center, a nonprofit human services provider,  who lease space on the same side of the street. The Salt Mine Recording Studio is located on this side also.

National Historic Register Plaque

Across Macdonald Street between The Alhambra Hotel, one of the few buildings in downtown listed on the National Historic Register marking the same location since 1895, and the VFW Post at the corner with First Avenue katty-corner to Lenhard's Hardware, are two centers of activity getting fresh paint and/or new entrances or total renovations.

One, Broadway Boxing, a non-profit organization where someone told me a Gold's Gym used to be located, has been providing sports training, recreation, activities and physical conditioning for a younger group of Mesa's diverse population - not those Millenials or Baby Boomers that get so much attention as two desired demographics to attract to downtown.

Having lived in New York City for many years, and right on Broadway in the Upper Westside, there was no way not to notice this graphic on the sidewalk right in front of the door and had to ask, and find out, what's that all about?
The place was always dark inside with lights out when taking my usual morning or afternoon walking jaunts around the streets of downtown.

Click to enlarge

 It's usually open from 4-7 p.m, after normal downtown business working hours and after school times. 
Both tomorrow and Saturday the place comes alive with weigh-ins for boxers and their trainers starting at 7 a.m.  in a big event called "Battle on Broadway".
Bouts start Friday night @ 7, and Saturday afternoon starting at 2:00. Admission is $10, kids under 5 free.

Check out their Facebook page by going to the following link: 
https://www.facebook.com/BroadwayBoxingInc
Great pictures and great comments

There's training and competition for both boys and girls for local championships with outstanding competitors going on to regional finals in Utah.

Image from Broadway Boxing Facebook page

You'll have to wait until Friday, June 5th for the opening of the new next door business, Prime Cut & Sew - a Barbershop and Boutique @ 61 S Macdonald.

Stopped by yesterday noticing work was going on inside and talked to one of the owners Zeke Mendoza after snapping a few images. The front no longer looked like this; today - it had been totally opened up for the installation of new overhead doors.
There will be five cutting stations and a retail area in the front for men's clothing. There were already 3 wall-mounted large-screen HDTVs so look for something more than what you might expect inside a barbershop.

The owners already have a logo and a website
http://primecutandsew.com/

We wish them a great success and hope that it's a Prime & Prosperous Time for the new business owners here with a vote of confidence in the business potential of the New Urban Downtown Mesa.
Stop by on the First Friday Night in June while you're here for activities that fill the streets - It's Opening Night!


Before opening night on June 5th, you can contact one of the owners at this email address: zeke@primecutandsew.com