What will take its place? A number of new incubator spaces for small, business-minded artisans and makers, according to Steve Conant.
Conant has owned the Soda Plant for 18 years. Three years ago, when ReSOURCE renewed its lease, he informed the organization that it would be for the last time.
“It became pretty clear to me that the amount of space available for entrepreneurial pursuits [in the South End] is limited, and this building could do more in terms of incubating new businesses,” Conant said. He added that the store’s exit “opens up 17,000 square feet of exciting possibilities.”
Conant, who owns Conant Metal & Light, also in the Soda Plant, envisions a variety of creative businesses taking shape in the space — with emphasis on business.
“I think the building supports fine artists very well through the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery and other small spaces,” said Conant. “I think that the opportunity [for this space] is in more entrepreneurial artists and business-aspiring people.”
Conant said he has already fielded inquiries from prospective tenants. He has turned down most of them.
“I don’t want to fill the whole space with one big entity,” he explained. “If a business wants to be big, or anticipates growing big quickly, that’s not who I’m hoping to support. I’m hoping to support businesses that had their first little launch, maybe at Generator or another small space, and they’re ready to take the next step.”
Conant anticipates offering workspaces — ranging from 400 to 3,000 square feet — for below market rate. He’s able to do that, he said, because his overhead is lower than that for more recently purchased properties in the city’s arts district.
“I’m very, very committed to the vitality of the South End corridor, and affordable rent is one of the ways we can open the door to risk takers,” Conant said.
After ReSOURCE moves out, he will need a few months to update the space, possibly raising the floors to eliminate the potential for flooding, which occasionally happens when storm drains are at capacity. Conant expects that new tenants will begin signing leases in the spring.
ReSOURCE, founded in Burlington as ReCycle North in 1991, also operates stores in Barre and Hyde Park. Its new facility in Williston will be nearly twice the size of the Soda Plant space, with 36,506 square feet. It will house an expanded reuse store, administrative offices, meeting rooms, classes for workforce development programs, and a production facility for its appliance and computer repair departments.
“ReSOURCE has a mission to empower individuals and strengthen Vermont communities through job training, poverty relief and environmental stewardship,” said ReSource executive director Tom Longstreth in a press release announcing the move. “The Harvest Lane location meets our requirements to do just that.”
The ReSOURCE Building Materials Store will remain at 339 Pine Street in Burlington.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
“I’m very, very committed to the vitality of the South End corridor, and affordable rent is one of the ways we can open the door to risk takers,” Conant said.
Not affordable to the folks in Burlington who, due to stagnant wages, have relied on this downtown thrift goods retail store for years.
Yeah I mean it’s his place so he can do what he wants, but his actions don’t seem aligned with the ideas he’s representing
This is a huge blow to Burlington not only does it eliminate an affordable, easily reachable, source of home goods for Burlington but I think it is safe to assume it will increase trash and litter throughout the city. A large portion of Burlington’s population, college students, have for decades relied on Recycle North as destination for their undesired belongings. I’d expect to see a lot more things left on the streets and curbs this year when June 1 rolls around.
A business that provides accessible goods and services for poor folks is forcefully ousted and supplanted by a landlord that wants to specifically benefit upwardly mobile neo-yuppies… way to go Conant!! … try and convince yourself you’re doing the community a service all you want with that creative economy/incubator PR garbage… dollars to donuts he’ll be making more in rent every month!!… welcome to the new Burlington… one where the business and government elites lack any true commitment to help or compassion for those of less than moderate means… I’m surprised no one has convinced him to make it into a mixed use development… but there’s still time…
Despite some of the other comments, my impression is that Resource made the decision to leave and was not pushed out by Conant. Is that correct? Regardless, with Steve Conant having the power to control who comes into this South End space, and an all white SEABA Board and a white man running SEABA (not an attack, just facts), I hope Conant and other South End business owners also commit to supporting the work of underrepresented artists and business owners. Affordability is just one issue to keeping the South End a place where art flourishes.
Just another example of how Burlington is turning it’s back on those who can’t afford $5 cups of coffee, $1,000 sofas and designer clothes. Steve Conant, you should be ashamed of yourself, but from your rationalization, I can see you have already figured out how to camouflage your greed and your selfishness. And so, the decline of the South End into a cheap-suit imitation of SOHO continues.