June 2, 2016

Giving New Life to 409 Broadway

The corner of Fourth Avenue North and Broadway in downtown Fargo will come alive this summer with craft beer, a food truck, a farmer’s market, local theater groups and live music.

A number of local organizations are collaborating to activate the vacant site that was most recently home to Schumacher Goodyear. The corner lot at 409 Broadway was acquired by Kilbourne Group in the fall of 2015. This summer, we’ll celebrate the space before returning it to its historic roots as a walkable, mixed-use building at one of downtown’s most active intersections.

In 1909, Fargo Mercantile Co., a wholesale grocer, built their new offices and warehouse in a new four story brick building at 401-403 Broadway. Designed by the Hancock Brothers and constructed by C.H. Johnson & Co., the building was used as a grocer until 1961 and sat vacant for six years before it was demolished in 1966. The existing building was constructed in 1967 and was most recently home to Schumacher Goodyear.

For more information about the history of Fargo Mercantile Co., read more from the NDSU Archives.

With no immediate plans for the space, Kilbourne Group conceptualized temporary uses for the existing building and ways to celebrate the space, rather than letting it sit vacant.

We are excited to add to the established retail in the area that supports each other so well and to have the opportunity to contribute to this already vibrant area.

---

Don’t miss all of the pop-up events taking place this summer at the site:

Food and Brews

Brews on Broadway– Fargo Brewing Company is serving up their local brews on Thursday and Friday evenings and select Saturdays throughout the summer with live music and patio games. Big thank you to Barbacoa which is involved in the concept.

Red River Market– Saturdays from 10am-2pm July 9-October 29

Texas Q BBQ set up their food truck in the parking lot in early June.

Arts and Entertainment

Experience Blur will perform their summer show, The Great American Trailer Park Musical July 5th-9th.

Theatre B will begin its 2016-17 Season at 409 Broadway in September:

How the World Began by Catherine Trieschmann. Performances will take place in September and October 2016.
Inspecting Carol by Daniel Sullivan. Performances will take place in November and December 2016.
Hand to God by Robert Askins. Performances will take place in March and April 2017.

Punchgut had a one-night art exhibit in late May, with plans to appear again this summer.

A HUGE thank you to all who helped make this project a reality- JLG Architects and Syncorp, Inc., in collaboration with the City Planning Department, Fargo Fire Department, City Inspections, and the City Health Department. Thanks to Livewire Entertainment Media Services for their donation of the incredible audio and stage lighting set up to support the live musicians!

Another special thank you to Notorious Signs for adding art to the space!

If you are interested in using the pop-up space this summer, send us your ideas! We’d love to hear from you.