Fifth and Elm project<\/a>, a new entertainment venue that promises to transform the local landscape with food, music and family-friendly activities.<\/p>\nLocated at the corner of Moore Avenue and Fifth Street, the project has generated excitement among local business owners who see it as a catalyst for increased foot traffic and community engagement.<\/p>\n
Kevin Villareal, owner of Gregory Portland Nutrition, said he’s optimistic about the venue’s impact on the area.<\/p>\n
“I think it’ll end up bringing more traffic because it’ll bring more people to Old Town Portland,” Villareal said.<\/p>\n
Villareal is already exploring collaboration opportunities with developers to create events that incorporate his business’s run group, GPN Run Club with the new venue.<\/p>\n
“With our run group I’ve been in contact with a lot of developers to see how we can create events going with them with our run group in correlation with the business,” Villareal said.<\/p>\n
Maggie Manjarris, owner of Maggie’s Beauty Bar, has watched the construction unfold around her business. Despite being “tucked away” during the building process, she remains enthusiastic about the project’s potential.<\/p>\n
“Because I’m tucked away and there’s a lot of construction going on, which is great, you know, we’re very excited about the Fifth and Elm. Hopefully it’ll bring us more business in,” Manjarris said.<\/p>\n
As a local resident, Manjarris believes the venue addresses a community need.<\/p>\n
“Portland doesn’t have like a music venue or a lot, you know, they try to do a lot more things for the families,” Manjarris said.<\/p>\n
Alyssa Myers with GP Nutrition received an exclusive preview of the facility and described what visitors can expect inside the venue.<\/p>\n
“Inside, so there is a bar, there is food, there is a stage,” Myers said.<\/p>\n
Andrew Liaromatis, Leisure Entertainment Manager for the City of Portland, provided details about the outdoor amenities during a behind-the-scenes tour.<\/p>\n
“As you walk outside into the great what we call the great lawn, you’ve got cornhole, you’ve got more outdoor games, you’ve got outdoor seating, and that’s just by day when a concert comes about like John Wolf in December. You’re going to see that, that lawn transform into that entertainment space,” Liaromatis said.<\/p>\n
The ribbon cutting ceremony for Fifth and Elm is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m., with the venue officially opening to the public at 5 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n