Temple: Downtown multi-shop retail space under construction

TEMPLE, Texas (KWTX) The owners of a historic downtown Temple building are planning to bring new life into the area with a multi-shop retail space called The Hub.

It will house specialty shops, local artists and even an ice cream parlor.

Renovation is already underway for the $700,000 project on South 2nd Street in downtown Temple.

Joe Shepperd is one of the owners of the space.

"We felt like downtown would support more than what it has now, Shepperd said.

Shepperd and the managing partner of The Hub, Holly Gosh, say it will be a space for local shops, entrepreneurs, and artists to showcase their talents in a unique atmosphere.

Gosh said the first floor of the 16,000 square foot space will feature a boutique space for fashion, home goods, and ice cream parlor, and even an event area.

The second floor will house the work of local artists.

The Hub will hold nearly 40 different businesses and artisans.

We want to create a destination, so people can come downtown and spend more than just ten minutes in one shop, Gosh said.

The Hub will receive grant funding from the Temple Economic Development Corporation and the City of Temple.

Charley Ayres is Vice President of the Temple Economic Development Corporation, and he says converting the building that used to sit empty will benefit the people.

"Now, we're going to have an establishment that comes into this building that will generate sales tax, that can go back into the community, Ayres said.

According to Ayres, an estimated 38,000 people go to downtown Temple every day.

Shepperd and Gosh hope this project will kick-start even more business and activity in downtown Temple.

The estimated completion date for The Hub is mid-October.

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Temple: Downtown multi-shop retail space under construction