Think there's already a lot going on at
Russell Industrial Center? Well, there's about to be more: a 60,000-square-foot bazaar with a performance stage and up to 200 vendors, a drive- and bike-in outdoor movie theater and a film screening venue.
Phase One of the
Russell Bazaar will occupy the entire ground floor of the previously unoccupied Building 3, the southernmost structure on the complex. The space has newly poured and painted concrete floors, a mezzanine for special events or dining and food from Loco's, Niki's Pizza and an independent cafe.
Booths can be rented by the week or month and are constructed so that each tenant can personalize the space. "We are looking for small businesses that can't afford $2,000-a-month stores," says Eric Novack, who oversees leasing at Russell for Boydel Development Group, the complex's owner. "We hope to appeal to people with original ideas and products or their own products, local entrepreneurs."
Booths will rent from $200 to $800 per month. A ground-breaking celebration for the bazaar will be from 4 to 6 p.m. June 26. Novack expects construction to be complete and the bazaar open for business in August.
The building is seven stories, so Novack says that if the concept takes off, "We're just going to keep going up."
Meanwhile, a movie screen is being installed on the southern wall of Building 3, next to the entrance to the Bazaar. Ed Gardiner of
Studio 601 will program an eclectic array of cult films and there will be a concession stand.
A film screening room has also been built out in Building 1, which is the one closest to the Clay Ave. entrance. Church pews have been re-purposed as theater seats and there is also a concession stand.
Overall, Russell Industrial is booming. There are currently 143 tenants, including painters, sculptors, photographers, film production groups and architects. "We've been increasing at a rate of five to eight tenants a month," says Novack. He has noticed a growth in out-of-town companies (particularly in the film industry), artists co-ops and artists of international renown (
Glenn Barr is currently building out a 3,200-square foot space).
"If you have an idea, we have the space to do your idea. And we make it affordable," Novack says.
Source: Eric Novack, Russell Industrial and Boydel Dev. Group.
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.