Come January, another tenant in Vancouver’s historic Slocum House will pack its bags. As Gallery 360 leaves the building wanting, an open space is an opportunity for managers of Slocum House to re-evaluate.
The Vancouver Farmer’s Market is the leasing tenant at Slocum House and sublets the downstairs space. In the past, the space has hosted a variety of art galleries and wine tasting rooms.
Jordan Boldt, executive director of the market, said he’d like to see the next tenant benefit the community while helping their nonprofit pay for the building.
“I think our organization is committed to doing that in a way that’s doesn’t compromise the way the community accesses the building,” Boldt said. “The gallery was a really great fit.”
While the decision is ultimately up to the farmer’s market, the city is hoping to have input.
“It’s got to be something that’s going to generate enough revenue that they could stay in business, so we’ve been kicking around with Jordan the idea of a coffee shop or a restaurant, maybe not something that requires a full-service kitchen but maybe something along the lines of a soup and sandwich shop,” said Jan Bader, Vancouver’s program and policy development manager. “So we’ve really been encouraging (Boldt) to be looking for maybe a food service tenant and then we could sit down and talk about what kind of improvements would be needed to support that use.”
At this point, Boldt doesn’t have a specific plan.
“It’s a big question moving forward, not whether it will happen but what it will look like,” he said.
They’ve already started entertaining suggestions for the space and what the community would like to see.
“As soon as they know you’re open to ideas you get a lot of suggestions. We’ll accept everything but our number one suggestion is around food-related businesses,” Boldt said. “As much as possible it is really important to us and the city that the main part of the house is something the community is able to access.”
The top contenders include a coffee shop, wine bar or tap room, “something that cultivates the area and gives a chance to hangout,” he added. “Honestly downtown, especially this part of downtown, could use something more in this direction.”
While a business that’s consumer focused would help ensure a lasting success, Boldt and Bader both envision a continuing art component to the space.
“Vancouver is really struggling with that issue,” Boldt said. “Arts are hard. They bring a lot of culture and uniqueness, but they don’t bring with them the dollar figure that other places do. We’re trying to find a way to continue working with them in some way, shape or form.”
Before a new tenant can move in, Slocum House will require some improvements and maybe a little remodeling to accommodate the type of tenant the city and Boldt are hoping for. Renovations could include a kitchen, for example, something the Slocum House is currently missing. Bader said “as long as we’re not destroying the historic fabric and keeping the integrity of the building” there’s no reason modifications can’t be made.
There’s no timeline for selecting a new tenant, but it’s a conversation Boldt expects to continue as the new year begins.
