By revitalizing the building on the corner of Hillside Avenue and Main Street in Souderton, Pa., North End Market owner B. Smith hopes to promote new businesses and foster community.
The once vacant two-story building has around 10,000 square feet of potential vendor and event space, and Smith plans to have a mix of steady and rotating vendors, including a bar, on the first floor.
“I would like to see some steady business [like] pastry, coffee, art, homemade goods and then two or three little food places, maybe [a] deli,” Smith said.
Smith originally called the market an “incubator for small businesses,” and she would like to provide a rental kiosk for people to sell their products when they want in addition to the permanent vendors.
“I think there are a lot of people in Souderton that have a business out of their home that we do not even know about,” Smith said, “and I think that [the North End Market] will bring them out into the community and all the people that support them now would come here [too].”
According to Souderton Connects Economic Development Chairperson Kylie Harrington, Smith received a storefront facade grant, which focuses on the building’s visual appeal to create an “inviting” look from Main Street.
Souderton Connects manager Jessica Cimini believes the facade brand is an important factor in attracting visitors from other towns, especially those driving by on Route 113.
“We want what is inside to be worth the visit too, but [the appeal] really does stop people and makes them say this town has several things we want to visit,” Cimini said.
According to Montgomery County Planning Commission Senior Community Planner Matt Lubitz, Souderton Borough’s zoning ordinance allows for “denser development” and a “mix of commercial uses” that creates a “downtown feel.”
“It’s a destination,” Lubitz said. “It’s a place that people are going to go.”
Lubitz also said the North End Market will close the gaps between different businesses on Main Street and create a more cohesive streetfront area.
According to Smith, she bought the building five years ago with the goal of bringing people together.
“I wanted to have a place [people] could come [to] meet each other, talk and have fun, and that was my main reason for buying this building,” Smith said.
Smith said she would love to see “small weddings” and “small kids parties” take place in the upstairs space. She also wants the building to be accessible for all types of people.
“[I] want it to be user-friendly for everybody,” Smith said. “Old people, young people, people of all cultures.”
In addition to events, Smith hopes to have pop-up workshops and music performances.
Souderton Borough Councilor Julie Munden feels that the North End Market will be an “anchor” for Souderton.
“It is really going to connect Broad Street to Main Street,” Munden said. “I think it is going to draw people to the community too, which I feel will bring residents and new people to the borough.”
As per Smith, she considers the North End Market a family business because she works with her son, which she said has helped the project “stay on track.”
“Being a family, you kind of stick together,” Smith said, “and you always support that one person.”
Smith hopes the market will be open by the new year.
“We have everybody lined up to go,” Smith said. “Electrical, structural, plumbing, HVAC, everybody.”