Hope For the Future of Wells Street Corridor
Over the last several months, new businesses have been popping up along North Wells Street in Fort Wayne as officials work to revitalize the area.
Councilman Geoff Paddock tells our partners at WPTA-TV as the next steps of the project are being worked out, he and others are hopeful for a business boom in the area.
One of those new businesses is Monarch Beauty Boutique, which opened last month and is owned by Brittany Fischbach.
“I just wanted to open something in Fort Wayne that appeals to a more ‘glamour taste,’” Fischbach said.
Fischbach says she’s seen a major impact already in the last month.
“It’s very exciting,” Fischbach said. “When I first thought of finding a space on Wells Street, I looked at one down the road and I was kind of iffy. Then I walked the area and I couldn’t believe all of the change.”
It’s the result of years of work, which has been lead by Paddock, who represents Fort Wayne’s fifth district.
“A lot of merchants on Wells Street have been added over the last few years,” Paddock said. “We’ve got more shops, restaurants and so on. This area is really starting to take off.”
As reported by WPTA-TV, the North River Property, just a few blocks away, still sits empty. Paddock says there have been talks about what could go there, but so far there are no concrete plans.
“I think it could be mixed use,” Paddock said. “I think it could be probably a lot of things, something that would be some kind of an entertainment venue obviously comes to mind. I think that would also bring in perhaps another hotel, certainly some commercial investments.”
As Paddock prepares for those next steps, Fischbach is hopeful that this will have a positive impact on her business and others.
“Just from what I’ve seen, I just know it’s going to continue,” Fischbach said.
Paddock said he’s hopeful that additional development could soon. He says it has been rewarding to work on this project and others across the city.
You can view the full story from WPTA by clicking here.