A call for entrepreneurial spunk, creativity and high-quality products has been issued by the Downtown Denver Partnership, which hopes to add more year-round gusto to the outdoor retail offerings on the 16th Street Mall.
The partnership and the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District said Tuesday they will be introducing eight new semi-permanent retail structures to the mall in the hope that retailers, including local artists and craftspeople, will bring “an eclectic mix of merchandise” to the area.
Partnership spokeswoman Sarah Neumann said bringing local artisans to the mall “is a huge goal of ours” because of the products and unique character they can add. “We really want to enhance the quality and diversity (of the shopping experience),” she said.
She noted there are currently 21 outdoor vendors on the mall but added that “we have room for many, many more.”
Ablasse Zoungrana, who sells sunglasses on the mall, said he has been asked to move his cart either two blocks north or two blocks south as part of an effort to make the space “look nicer.”
“I’m not upset. They can do what they want to do,” said the mall merchant of three years.
Boris Shubin, who has operated a hot-dog stand on the mall for 15 years, said business has dropped off in recent years. Five to seven years ago, he said, there was a cart at every corner. Now there are far fewer carts because people come downtown to work, not shop, Shubin said.
Neither merchant said adding other retailers was a bad idea.
Neither did Sara Cordova and Onike Castaneda, who were buying food at outdoor stands along the mall.
Adding retailers, said Castaneda, keeps the shops along the mall in business and helps the economy.
Neumann said the eight structures will be made of steel and other metals. The employees will stand outside, with the merchandise inside. Overnight, roll-down screens will protect the products.
The partnership and BID are hosting an open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. June 9 at the partnership offices, 511 16th St., Suite 200. Those interested in the retail opportunities are invited.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
