Central market pictured above. Photo courtesy of http://www.igougo.com/photos/journal/pref/centralmkt_prefRes.jpg.
Former York Suburban student and Associate editor of YRK magazine, Bre Shorten said, “People in York don’t realize that the downtown isn’t what it was 20 years ago. It really all started with the race riots in the 60s, since then people have been scared to go downtown with their families, and businesses were suffering. But now, downtown is thriving. It has become a place for artists, musicians, and innovators. Downtown is really a community.”
Beaver Street, for example, returned to its previously populated state. The Central Market is busier than ever and is filled with vendors that provide local goods and produce. The eclectic shops on Beaver carry everything from homemade soaps, high end vintage fashion, and jewelry from local artists.
Sign of the Wagon, a historical art building is another hotspot downtown, run by Peter Richards and Lindsey Keeney a.k.a. “Pete and Lindsey.” Richards and Keeney received a grant from the local government to buy a historic location on East Philadelphia Street. In exchange for this grant, they use the first floor to showcase local artwork and also host performances. It is York City’s way of trying to boost and support the arts in our community.
YRK is a downtown York magazine and features businesses that are centered around the community and the bettering of the city. Shorten said, “I guess one of YRK’s goals is to try to change the stigma and stereotype around downtown. That way, a greater number of people are aware of the many options there are in the city.” The magazine was founded and published by three members of the band Live, world renown alternative rock band that is returning to its roots in the city.
Rudy Art Glass and Salvaging Creativity, two very prominent art studios, are coming together in the near future to create Working Class. It will be a “makers space” in which creative people from all over York gather together. The Working Class building will hold industrial art, design studio, and professional artists to help the students there. Working Class students will pay a membership in exchange for access to design tools and the help they need in order to create anything from clothing, to guitars, bikes, and sculptures. The space will also include a retail store where students can put their creations up for sale.