File photoRobb Hudson, who opened AOTECH Computers in downtown Meridian a few years ago, is optimistic about the area’s future. 

Not too long ago, business owners snubbed downtown Meridian. The streets were in bad shape, and many shops had either closed or moved to other parts of the city.

Slowly, but surely, that’s starting to change.

The city has started to tackle some long-term infrastructure improvements, The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience (The MAX) is set to open on Front Street early next year, and the long-awaited redevelopment of the historic Threefoot Building is expected to start soon.

Fifth Street and 22nd Avenue look better than they have in years, thanks to ongoing improvement projects.

Although the never-ending infrastructure work has irked some business owners, there’s still a growing optimism among many downtown merchants and property owners.

One of those merchants is Tim Hester, a developer who purchased the 78,000-square-foot Hulett building on Front Street about two years ago. When Hulett Furniture Company closed in 2010, after 125 years of service, its closing not only left a big hole in Meridian’s downtown business district, but also a five-story shell of a once vibrant city landmark.

Now, Hester is preparing to expand his antiques market and climate-controlled storage space to include an event venue and ultimately a boutique hotel.

With major projects such as The MAX and MSU-Riley Center, as well as improvements at Union Station, downtown is ready for a comeback, Hester said.

“Anytime you build that much public infrastructure, it’s hard for things not to work,” he said. “People are starting to build condos around here…that means more people living here, which creates more restaurants, and more entertainment coming into town. It just mushrooms. It did it in Tupelo, and it will do it here. It’s just a matter of time…I don’t see how downtown can help but not grow.”

Another business owner optimistic about the area’s revitalization is Kenny Watts, who’s worked downtown since 1992. He opened his current business, Beyond Capital, on Fifth Street eight years ago.

One thing Watts likes about downtown Meridian – many of its historic buildings still stand, maintaining the area’s cultural and aesthetic value.

“People from out of town are impressed with the buildings that remain from 80 or 90 years ago,” he said. “There are still a large collection of stores and multilevel properties that are here. That’s just not routine in the rural South anymore.”

Watts noted last year’s street project, and the repaving underway now, as signs of downtown’s comeback.

“These kind of things make people feel better…aesthetics are important,” Watts emphasized. “It helps the way you feel when you’re downtown.”

Watts says the entire community has a stake in the future of downtown.

“Whether your’e a business owner, an employee, or a taxpayer, we all have ownership in this,” he said. “We may not own the buildings, but we own the look of it. We all have ownership of it, regardless of your role in the community.”

Down Fifth Street from Watt’s office is the Deli on Fifth, a sandwich shop popular with the local lunch crowd.

When Beth Barham opened the shop in 2004, there were no local shops of its type downtown. Barham is encouraged by the area’s economic growth, but would like to see the city tackle the parking issue.

“I think downtown’s coming along good,” she said. “It’s always nice when you see new business — that means more business for us.”

One new businesses is right next door to the Deli on Fifth. It’s actually two shops in one, long space: Blue Girl and Moon Pie, which opened in December.

Blue Girl offers fashionable clothing for girls and women, while Moon Pie features a variety of hipster baby apparel.

Moon Pie owner Leslie Lee said setting up shop downtown was an easy choice.

“We couldn’t imagine any other place than downtown, — it was the only option,” said Lee, who also owns The Elegance Ballroom, a dance and fitness studio at 2208 Front St. “We want to support the revitalization of downtown…“I really couldn’t imagine any other place.”

Ginger Joyner, the owner of Blue Girl, says being downtown gives merchants an opportunity to develop personal relationships with their customers.

“Local people come downtown,” she said. “We wanted the shop to be more social – more like a family thing.”

Right next door to Blue Girl and Moon Pie is another new business, Frios, a gourmet popsicle shop that opened last June. The store specializes in hand-dipped popsicles with unique flavors such as sea salt caramel and jalapeno pineapple.

Manager Ashlee Onyia said the owner, Urelaine Simon Hart, was seeking “a vibrant place” to open the shop, so she chose downtown. They are both excited about the area’s revitalization.

“It makes me optimistic,” Onyia said.

Across Fifth Street, The MSU-Riley Center continues to offer a wide variety of educational and entertainment activities. The venue recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, attracting more than 85,000 visitors and impacting the local economy by $4.3 million.

Next door to the MSU-Riley center is the downtown campus of MSU- Meridian, where the newest MSU building in Meridian, The Rosenbaum Building, opened in October.

The building houses MSU-Meridian’s health sciences programs and the school’s new Bulldog Shop, where customers can enjoy MSU’s famous Edam cheese and Bully’s ice cream MSU dairy products and get the latest Adidas apparel.

Around the corner, up a newly-upgraded 22nd Avenue, is Citizens National Bank, which has been at the center of downtown Meridian since it was originally chartered in 1888.

Last year, the bank extended its presence by adding a large well-lit parking facility whose décor matches that of downtown.

According to Archie McDonnell, the bank’s CEO, the lot benefits the bank’s customers during the day, and it is often used after hours for the MSU Riley Center and other events, making the area safer at night.

“We are excited about the projects that are either under construction or about to be under construction downtown,” McDonnell said. “We believe the center of our community is downtown and creates a hub of business and entertainment that is and should be the focus of Meridian. It is certainly growing evidenced by the Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience and the renovation of the Threefoot building , not to mention many other buildings that have been renovated by local business people in recent years. Sometimes we are so close to it that we don’t realize the growth and revitalization that has occurred downtown. In short, we believe it is a part of our community bank responsibility to be at the center of downtown and to facilitate its growth. It’s something we fondly refer to as The Power of Local.”

At 600 22nd Ave., Robb Hudson opened AOTECH Computers a few years ago. The shop offers online computer support for the home, home office and small business as well as computer sales, repair, network administration, web design and a multitude of other services.

“We love the location,” Hudson said.

He’s also encouraged by the area’s revitalization, noting “more businesses are coming than leaving.”

Across the street from AOTECH, the long-awaited transformation of the Threefoot Building is expected to start in early March. Once it’s been renovated, the building, which is targeted to become a Courtyard by Marriott hotel, will keep much of its historical charm.

One person excited about the redevelopment of the Threefoot Building is Marshall Gilmore, who owns the The Harvest Grill at 618 22nd Ave.

The anticipated opening of The MAX brought Marshall and his wife, Mary, Gilmore downtown about two and half years ago.

“We were looking for ‘right place, right time” Marshall Gilmore said. “Business has been great — Every year it’s looking better.”

The ongoing downtown activities make the restauranteur excited about the area’s future.

“That, and with Mississippi State branch down here – it’s all pointing in the right direction,” he said. “A city starts with its downtown. That ‘s a big factor with getting people off the Interstate and down here to shop and eat. The more businesses, the better for everybody.”

Across from the Harvest Grill, at 607 22nd Ave., Joyce Arrington Stamper runs Joyce’s Etc., a tuxedo shop that’s served Meridian for more than 25 years. She’s seen downtown at its worst, and is happy about its rebound.

“I’ve been here since it was going downhill. It’s come a long way,” she said, adding, “I like the atmosphere —everybody looks out for everybody. It’s kind of like a family here.”

Stamper says the MSU Riley Center “was one of the most important things we could’ve gotten downtown.”

“It brings a lot of traffic in,” she said. “And the Arts and Entertainment Center’s going to be here. People have taken an interest.”

Next door to Joyce’s Etc, business is booming at Hill Real Estate Group, according to Darryl Jackson, a broker and co-owner with the group.

The agency has more than tripled its number of agents from 6 to 22 last year, meaning the office had to be remodeled to accommodate all the employees, he said.

In January, the business expanded to offer commercial real estate, adding a new division called Hill Commercial Specialists.

“A lot of people are really excited about downtown,” Jackson said. “The attitude has improved.”

Around the corner, at 2212 8th St., LaBiche Jewelers continues to do brisk business. The jewelry store has been a part of downtown since 1953, and its central location has served the LaBiche family well since the business was established by the late Maurice Jerome LaBiche as a wholesale jewelry repair shop.

The LaBiche family continues to own and operate the store. Steven LaBiche, son of founders Maurice and Teresa LaBiche, owns the store, while his wife, Tricia, is the manager. Steven LaBiche said downtown’s revitalization is a plus for the business.

Labiche, who is the acting president of an association of downtown merchants and property owners, said he’s glad the city has contracted with Meridian- based LPK Architects to develop a master plan for downtown.

The plan will look at the city’s existing infrastructure, such as utilities, traffic flow, architectural standards, wayfinding and land use. Additionally, architects will hear from the various stakeholders downtown as the plan takes shape. Principal architect Bob Luke said some of the key elements will be downtown parking, traffic flow and creating an attractive entryway from the interstate.

Across from the LPK office, Elic Purvis owns a multi-purpose event space called “The Venue.”

The circa-1914 building, at 818 22nd Ave., is also known as Pythian Castle Hall and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It’s been converted into a banquet hall for receptions and other celebrations, but it still maintains much of its historical charm.

Among local entrepreneurs, Purvis, 24, is among a new wave interested in downtown’s rebirth. He says he feels blessed by his life experiences in Meridian, and hopes to pay it forward.

“I created my business downtown because I owe it to downtown,” Purvis said. “I grew up here. It’s because of downtown that I have such varied interests as I do – be it architectural, artistic, or the value of community.

“I’m not the first Meridianite, not even the first Purvis, for that matter, to put my energy and efforts into giving back a small portion of what downtown has given me, my biggest objective is to make lasting affects in the town to be able to service many of my wonderful town’s citizens, visitors, strangers, and kin for years and years to come. It’s only right.”