“This is the first time ever that the spaces are all leased,” said Kim Larkins, property manager of St. Clair Lofts. “Dayton’s booming — everybody wants to be here.”
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Last year, the St. Clair Lofts confirmed that it was building out its last two remaining first-floor spaces.
The five-story building, formerly the Beaver Power building at South St. Clair and East Fourth streets, reopened in 2001 as 108 apartments and ground-floor commercial spaces.
The St. Clair retail tenants are a diverse bunch and include:
• Baker Salvage Co., Puff Apothecary
• Salon J Ladner, Soccer Shots
• Anthony James Painting and Contracting.
The lofts building had two commercial spaces that were never finished. But the owners last year decided to “white box” the spaces to prepare for move in because of strong interest from potential tenants.
Those two spaces are taken. White Anvil Tattoo recently moved in to a storefront on the Fourth Street side of the building.
Grace Lane Boutique has signed a lease and expects to open in November.
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Grace Lane will sell women’s jewelry, clothing, shoes, accessories, crafted goods and other items from “sustainable” and “ethical brands,” said Danielle Goodman, the owner of the boutique.
Goodman will sell FEED purses and bags and Toms footwear.
Every FEED item comes imprinted with a number that represents how many meals or nutrient packets the company will provide to hungry children because of the purchase.
Toms says it matches every pair of shoes purchased with a new pair of shoes for a child in need.
Goodman became motivated to be a more conscientious shopper after learning about a factory collapse in Bangladesh that killed more than 1,000 people, including many garment workers.
“I just want to know where my clothes were made and I want to know I’m not buying something that supports unfair wages or unfair worker treatment,” she said.
But Goodman found that it took a lot of time and effort to research products to make sure they weren’t made by workers in unsafe or unfair conditions. She said she usually had to visit a variety of sites to find what she wanted.
Goodman hopes Grace Lane will be a one-stop-shop for ethical fashion. Grace Lane’s goal is:“empowering women through fashion.”
“I want women to feel great about how their clothes are made as well as how they look,” said Goodman, who also noted that her faith is a big part of why she launched Grace Lane.
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