The assemblywoman spent her Saturday in Massena and was on hand for the grand opening of a new boutique on Main Street, toured the former Schine Theater in downtown Massena during a volunteer work day, visited a store at the St. Lawrence Centre mall that sells North Country products and stopped at an orchard store that has become a hot spot each fall in Massena.
"Everybody knows the challenges facing the community, but these entrepreneurs have stepped up and are working, one small step at a time, to revitalize Massena.," she said.
Assemblywoman Jenne took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Nest by 2 Mama Birds, a boutique at 51 Main St. The shop sells the 2 Mama Birds own line of jewelry as well as knitwear, leather work, hand poured candles and other jewelry lines from artisans from the North Country and other upstate communities.
Brittany Murtagh and Nance Arquiett, the founders of 2 Mama Birds, say they believe in community and are hoping the Nest will be a positive place to bring community members together through art, workshops and social gatherings.
Massena Mayor Timmy Currier and Deputy Mayor Matt LeBire then guided Assemblywoman Jenne to the former Schine Theater, where volunteers were doing a fall spruce up at the building that was permanently shut down in 1995.
The Massena Arts and Theater Association, Inc., is working to restore the historic Strand Theater, located at 63-67 Main St., to its previous mission as well as a venue that offers small theatrical productions, musical performances, lectures, and other cultural events.
R. Shawn Gray, a member of the Massena Arts and Theater Association board, told Assemblywoman Jenne he believes the restoration of the theater could serve as a catalyst for the creation of new cafes and shops in the downtown area.
The theater was originally constructed in 1918 and opened as a Strand Theater. Schine Enterprises leased the theater in 1926 and later purchased the building. The theater underwent a major renovation and reopened on Aug. 20, 1931.
The newly refurbished theater had a Spanish/Gothic motif with red walls and ceiling decorated with gold and silver leaf. The theater was redecorated with monochrome plaster walls in the early 1960s.
Mr. Gray noted volunteers have done considerable work on the building's interior, continue efforts to get the marquee back up on the building's exterior and are seeking a state grant to move the project forward.
Assemblywoman Jenne also learned two other vacant spaces in the downtown corridor are expected to have new tenants in the near future, and there is also reportedly interest in other vacant buildings on Main Street.
"It's exciting to see downtown Massena coming back to life. The Nest is an example of young people investing in downtown. They really care about the community and are what Massena needs to move forward," she said.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the restoration of the theater would be an anchor in the effort to revitalize the downtown corridor.
"It was a beautiful fall Saturday, and volunteers were inside the theater working. We talked about their vision for the building's future and that the theater has to be a foundation for bringing downtown back to the next level. It really is a downtown anchor building, and it is wonderful these individuals are dedicated to bringing it back to life and are so committed to the community's future," she noted.
Assemblywoman Jenne started her day at the North Country Showcase store at the St. Lawrence Centre mall. The North Country Showcase was created to market quality products made in a seven-county region of the North Country.
The investor-owned company was formed earlier this year by approximately 20 individuals, who pooled their resources in an effort to positively impact the region's economy. The number of shareholders has already nearly doubled.
North Country Showcase initially opened in July in a 3,300-square-foot space in the mall with 33 vendors. The store moved into a new 11,000-square-foot space on Oct. 16 and now features the work of 77 vendors.
The assemblywoman had a chance to wander through the store and see shelves, tables and walls filled with wooden toys, quilts, maple syrup, honey, home processed jams and jellies, Amish baskets, bowls, pottery, locally roasted coffee, artwork and other items.
Assemblywoman Jenne said she remembers taking part in a meeting approximately a year ago when the organizers behind the North Country Showcase first started talking about steps to take to impact the local economy.
"The venture at the St. Lawrence Centre mall is very impressive. They are helping to reinvigorate the mall during a tough time nationally for retail," according to the assemblywoman.
"It is always amazing to see the talent of our North Country artisans, and the store also features some delicious locally produced food products. There are some beautiful products available for sale at the store. It really showcases the talent of our local small-business people, many of whom who are working out of their homes and garages," she noted.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the North Country Showcase and the Nest offer quality products that support the buy local movement.
"It's a reminder of the importance of supporting our own in our effort to rebuild the vitality of our area. The purchase of local food, products and gifts means that money is funneled back into the North Country and that also benefits our friends and neighbors," she said.
She finished her day at Kaneb Orchards' cider mill store. Kaneb Orchards sells fruits, cider and baked goods, including the popular cider donuts. The store is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays each fall, with this year's season ending on Sunday.
"The Kanebs have turned their cider mill store into a destination each fall. It's not a good trip in the fall to Massena if I don't stop and grab some cider and donuts. They have demonstrated the benefits of vision, hard work and quality products," she said.
Assemblywoman Jenne and Elizabeth Kaneb also discussed the impact of recent legislation on hard cider sales in the state.
She said she also met with Massena town councilmen Steve O'Shaughnessy and Sam Carbone during her day in the community.
"I saw a lot of excitement when I was on the street downtown. There is enthusiasm that a global search being funded by the New York Power Authority could have positive results for our region, and other small-business people are also looking at new opportunities," according to Assemblywoman Jenne.
"It is my hope the work of those entrepreneurs that have brought Kaneb Orchards, the North Country Showcase and the Nest to Massena can blaze the path to keep Massena moving forward. We know there is much work to do to maintain and grow employment in the community, but the positive strides I saw this past weekend are an important step forward for Massena," she added.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (l) jokes with Brittany Murtagh (center) and Nance Arquiett (r) of 2 Mama Birds prior to the opening of the Nest shop on Main Street in downtown Massena.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Karen St. Hilaire (r) gives Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne a breakdown of the plethora of local merchandise now on sale at the North Country Showcase store at the St. Lawrence Centre mall. The store is located at the former site of Express near the mall's center court and the mall entrances to the Bon Ton and JC Penney stores.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (left) chats with Elizabeth Kaneb at Kaneb Orchards before grabbing some donuts and cider. Kaneb Orchards closes for the season Sunday.
R. Sean Gray discusses plans for the renovation of the downtown theater, dating back to the 1930s, in downtown Massena. Volunteers were at the theater Saturday morning working in the building. The theater has been closed for several years. The group working to restore the theater building is seeking state funding for the project.
Brittany Murtagh rings up a sale on opening day at the Nest in downtown Massena as Nance Arquiett visits with Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne. The Nest is the latest venture by the owners of 2 Mama Birds.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne takes a look at some of the jewelry being sold at a new shop in downtown Massena, the Nest.
Yvonne Nicola, Lindsey Breitbeck and Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne check out some of the clothing being sold at the Nest.
