Burlington's South End: The SoHo of Vermont

Vermont Business Magazine, Mar 01, 2003

The SoHo of Vermont-there is no better way to describe Burlington's better South End. Picture historic industrial buildings overflowing with entrepreneurial spirit. Imagine a thermometer manufacturer adjacent to a lighting store across from an acupuncturist. Watch wooden bowls being hand-turned while your tires get spin-balanced. Buy a pound of fresh-roasted coffee, a yard of imported cloth and a peck of potatoes and a board foot of bubinga in one stop. Select an antique door for the playhouse and an airtight door for the ski house. Mingle with modern art while you savor spicy salsa. The South End district also boasts having more successful entrepreneurs per acre than any where else in Chittenden County. Burton Snowboards, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Rhino Foods, Conant Custom Brass, Jager Di Paola Kemp, Recycle North... the list goes on and on. Welcome to Burlington's South End.

Approximately 15 years ago, when several manufacturing plants in the Burlington area were closing or relocating, some local movers and shakers realized the potential in using the existing buildings for start up businesses. Rick Davis, who bought the Maltex building in 1984 and did a complete renovation, offered one of the first incubator spaces in the area. Davis, who now has 26 tenants, each with an average of six employees, said, "I see nothing but more and more demand for the South End. After all, we are in an area that is easy to get to, has parking availability and offers reasonable rents. In addition, it is fun to do business in an area where there is a lot of hustle and bustle and where people like doing what they are doing. I really enjoy having my office in the South End".

The close proximity to downtown is one of the area's prime assets, as noted by developers Lou Natalie and Ann Rothwell, who renovated the Hood Plant, and now have several other projects calling for mixed use in the planning stages. They, like a few other developers, have enjoyed taking decrepit old buildings and giving them new lives. Their efforts have helped boost the revitalization of one of Vermont's most important industrial areas.

In addition to being close to downtown, the South End supports one of the area's main arteries. Jim Lampman of Lake Champlain Chocolates stated, "The South End has the traffic of locals, who have been our biggest supporters. In addition, the South End has a lure for tourists and offers an obvious, tremendous opportunity for anyone in business or the arts. It provides an affordable climate for start-ups".

Lake Champlain Chocolates is just one of the many businesses which had its modest beginnings in the South End and outgrew their locations only to find larger space in the South End. Woodbury's of Vermont is the latest to relocate after growing out of their first South End location. The Pine Street address will give Scott Bennett an area which will allow him to grow his retail space and give visitors an opportunity to view the products being created.

Nigel Muzklow of New England Floor Covering said, "The Pine Street corridor offers us not only a fantastic location for a business, but where else can you find the best bagels, chocolate, coffee, and microbrew all in one small area? Only in the South End." Other tenants in the property housing the business owned by Nigel and his partner Brian Shea are examples of using the space in the most productive manner. Because the other tenants use the building more during the evening hours, the parking places serve double duty. "This use has definitely increased the night activity in the area", said Nigel.

Steve Conant started Conant Custom Brass, Inc in an alley behind Speeder and Earl's and it's been thriving in the South End ever since. He states, "Shortly after setting up shop in a 600 square foot hole in the wall, I knew I'd chosen the right. location. The support and encouragement I received from this extraordinary community was unmistakable. I don't think I could have survived those early years had I chosen any other place. Today we occupy 12,000 square feet and employ a staff of 34 all within a mile of where I started. The South End has served me well and I'm committed to growing my business here for years to come". Conant's passion for the South End isevidenced by his commitment of both time and money. Two years ago he purchased Pine Square, a 47,000 square foot incubator complex that also houses Recycle North and several smaller enterprises. In addition to running his business, he serves as board president of both ReCycle North and the South End Arts and Business Association (SEABA).

As the area began to develop, a group of like-minded individuals joined forces to promote its unique blend of arts and business activities. This organization became known as The South End Arts a and Business Association (SEABA) and it's been promoting and protecting the area ever since. The mission of the organization is to promote and maintain the community's interests and eclectic environment. SEABA's office is in the old Vermont Hardware Building, another example of a revitalized space. The membership organization shares information through its website, which includes the city's first discussion page, and helps promote the area with regularly updated articles. A major event recognized state-wide, The South End Art Hop, is sponsored by SEABA. This his celebration of the area artists and businesses is held each September and unifies the entire community.