Entrepreneurs say they hope new businesses on St. Clair will lead to an artistic and cultural renaissance downtown.

A design studio, theatre arts program and visual and performing arts venue recently opened or are in the works.

Robert Kirkman, owner of Three Elements design, said his wood, metal and stone working studio will open at 332 St. Clair in either late August or early September. The studio will function as both a workshop and retail space.

Kirkman has more than 12 years of experience with masonry, carpentry and metalworking. He decided to move to St. Clair after outgroing his shop on his family farm on Switzer Road.

Despite the economic recession, Kirkman said it was the right time for him to expand. Instead of building a shop on his farm or renting a studio, it was actually more efficient to buy a building downtown, he said.

The building he purchased on St. Clair formerly housed Harry’s Café and barbeque restaurant but has been vacant for three years. In addition, Kirkman said he’s always had the desire to run his own shop.

“I’m finally in a position where I have the tools and talent to do something like this,” he said.

Kirkman says he’ll work on commissioned pieces as well as tables, bookcases and coffee tables to sell at the store. He’ll also offer on-site custom services. Kirkman prefers to use locally sourced domestic wood, recycled materials, traditional joinery methods and antique power tools that he’s restored.

He’s excited to see other businesses opening around his own, including Venue 328, located only a few doors down from his studio.

Venue 328 is a non-profit business for visual and performing arts as well as community meeting space. Located at 328 St. Clair, it’s operated by the Point Community Church on U.S. 127. 

John Martin, a pastor at the church, said the church decided to open it in order to participate in the downtown arts and cultural community.

“God is creative,” according to the Venue 328 website. “Created in His image, humanity is also creative and capable of creating incredibly good and beautiful things.”

The walls display art from local artists and upcoming events include a children’s art workshop at 6 p.m. and songwriters showcase at 10 p.m. on Friday in conjunction with the summer concert series.

“We want to complement what’s already going on downtown,” Martin said.

The venue held its debut event during the art walk on July 2, and Martin said he’s been encouraged by the positive response. He said Venue 328 can also accommodate community meetings, receptions or birthdays.

The building at 328 St. Clair previously housed Prelude to a Kiss.

The Frankfort School of Ballet has also expanded and now offers a variety of theatre arts programs including costume, stage design, claymation, puppetry and improvisational workshops.

Mary West, director of the Theatre Arts Day Academy, says she volunteered to run the program for selfish reasons. She’s the Grand Theatre’s assistant technical director and says she wants to train the next generation of volunteers who will support it.

“Theatre is magic. What it does for kids’ self-esteem is just priceless.”

The day academy began in early July and has about 25 children between first and eighth grade enrolled. The cost is $60 per week for half-day classes and $120 per week for full-day enrollment. Ultimately, West said she would like to have between 50 and 100 students.

Classes run from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 5:30 p.m. The classes last week included costume workshops, claymation classes, poetry lessons and a study of Picasso’s artwork.

West said classes will continue during fall, spring and winter breaks with additional lessons on etiquette and decorum.

West said she too is excited about the number of new businesses opening up in downtown.

“Frankfort is becoming that town I saw the potential in 25 years ago.”

Kelly Everman, executive director of Downtown Frankfort Inc., also says she’s excited about the activity downtown.

“I’m thrilled with all the creative energy that’s stirring on St. Clair,” she said. “I bet we’ll have more good news before the end of summer.”

In addition, Joe and John Dunn recently purchased the building at 321-323 St. Clair from Clayton Farmer for $35,000, according to the Franklin County PVA office. The Dunns own the McClure Building and are assessing the physical condition of the building, Everman said.

She says they plan to restore the building, which has been vacant for several years because of structural concerns.

“I’m tickled pink.”

The Dunns did not return a call seeking comment.

The St. Clair parking garage has undergone a preliminary engineering assessment that was “positive,” City Manager Tony Massey said. The garage was closed about three years ago because of structural concerns.

Massey said additional testing is required, and a final opinion could come within a few weeks.

“We want to see it in black and white before moving forward,” he said.

Everman said she’s pleased to hear the news and expects several prospective buyers will be interested if the garage receives a good analysis.

The Brick Alley Bar on St. Clair is expanding to offer a lunch and dinner menu including hamburgers and barbeque. Everman said DFI recently helped owner Anthony Johnson apply for a grant to repair the façade. The bar’s exterior has been repainted, and boarded-up windows have been replaced with glass.

“A little bit of glass makes a world of difference,” Everman said.

New businesses

>Three Elements Design: http://www.threelements.net 

>Venue 328: http://venue328.org

>Theatre Arts Day Academy: http://www.frankfortballet.com/TADA