The Vogue Theatre’s Economic Ripple Effect in Downtown Manistee

MyNorth’s article The Vogue Theatre’s Economic Ripple Effect in Downtown Manistee takes a look at how the remodeled Vogue is serving as a spark for Manistee:

In order for a city to grow, there needs to be a spark: the Vogue Theatre is that spark. The DDA was able to convince the fine dining restaurant Bluefish to open downtown because of the theater. The owners saw what the State Theatre did for downtown Traverse City and believe the same will happen in Manistee. The owners of the new condominiums across the bridge from downtown are from Grand Haven; they also commented on what a theater can do for downtown. The hopeful attitude also initiated the opening of a new park in the city. Businesses like Famous Flynn’s, the Fillmore, Iron Works Cafe and the Daily Bakehouse are all post-theater. In 2015, a Meijer store opened at the north end of town, making Manistee the top grocery destination within a 30 mile radius.

“The town is waking up,” says Steven Brower, a member of the Vogue Theatre’s executive board.

Currently, several new business are in the works. A brewery is planning on opening in the early fall after remodeling a run-down warehouse. Affordable apartments are opening on the west end of downtown, making use of a beautiful piece of property along the Manistee River. The former National Guard Armory on First Street has been converted into a youth center and opened its doors this past June.

Read on for much more!