Business coming back to corridor

Federal Plaza is about 60 percent occupied.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- George Mager recalled hearing a lot of talk about how there were few restaurants available downtown for people who wanted to enjoy a meal.
Shortly after a friend convinced him to do something about it, Mager found himself opening his own eatery at 120 E. Boardman St., and on Jan. 9, Cafe Cimmento became another new business to be part of what many say is a renaissance in the city.
"People want to come downtown to places like mine," said Mager, whose son is a chef. "People feel safe and like the atmosphere."
Mager was one of five business owners or partners to speak at Wednesday's Youngstown Arts & amp; Entertainment District Association meeting. About 30 to 40 people, most of whom want to open a business downtown or already have, were on hand to hear how the speakers are doing in the corridor; some presenters also shared various obstacles they dealt with.
YAEDA, established in early 2003, is set up to help businesses get started downtown. The organization also is dedicated to the city's economic, cultural, social and professional awareness and success.
Another speaker was Holly Jordan, one of three owners of Barley's, a new restaurant at 21 W. Federal St. Jordan said the trio wanted to get more involved in the area, especially with the Chevrolet Centre attracting more people downtown. After some encouragement, Jordan opened Barley's where the Plaza Cafe was.
Jordan said she offers daily lunch specials, strives for a casual atmosphere, and is trying to add more entertainment. An initial challenge was establishing a customer base, she added.
Robert Rupeka, vice president of the Economic & amp; Community Development Institute, outlined various services his company provides since opening an office April 27 at 20 Federal Place, which is the former Phar-Mor building.
Service
Among other things, ECDI provides to low-income Valley residents Individual Development Accounts, which provide $1 for every dollar a client saves. The savings and match dollars can go toward down payments for first-time home buyers, to start or expand a small business or for post-secondary education, Rupeka explained.
Positive changes in the city also inspired Richard Hahn, director of Key-Note Media Group, to set up shop downtown. Hahn said that his company was in Austintown for 20 years and in Boardman for 10.
"It's good to see things [downtown] come back and I want to be part of this," Hahn said.
Denise Powell, president of James & amp; Weaver Office Environments, explained that her company at 22 W. Wood St. designs commercial offices and looks at a given space and cost to see if both are right for a prospective business.
Powell said the biggest obstacle she had to overcome was not being from the Valley and having to get acquainted with area businesses.
Claire Maluso, Federal Plaza's director, said that another boon to the city is progress being made at 20 Federal Place. The building is about 60 percent occupied, with a Pizza Joe's eatery having just opened, she noted.