By Glenn Hicks

Double dose of downtown development

Sep 10, 2018 | 5:00 PM

The defunct STC bus depot at the top of Prince Albert’s downtown will be the new home of two of the city’s long-standing businesses.

Toby Jaeger, owner of TJ’s Pizza, bought the site on 15th Street in December, which is relocating from his current site immediately next door. He’ll share the building with Propaganda, the skateboard and snowboard store, which is relocating from mid-Central Avenue.

While it’s being extensively modernized, the high-profile curves of the older round-fronted building will prevail.

“Yeah, I’d like to take credit for that [look] but it was the architect’s idea,” Jaeger joked with paNOW.” Our side of the building will be the updated TJ’s Pizza look as we’ve incorporated in all our new stores, and the Propaganda side will be completely different and renovated to suit their needs.”

Both businesses should be fully up and running by next month, he said.

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“We’re putting in all new windows and doors, it’s about twice the amount of space we’re currently occupying,” Jaeger said.“We’re excited to remain in the downtown and the location is excellent. We were lucky to acquire this building and I think good things happen for a reason.”

Jaeger added the relationship with his tenants will be special. “We’re two long-standing businesses and I feel like we’re almost teaming up, and I’ve spoken with Propaganda and perhaps we can run some cross-promotions.”

Architecturally the old STC building is taking on a new, modern feel while retaining the rotunda style as a key feature that gave the bus depot its distinctive look. And Jaeger said it was important to do his part in sprucing up that part of the downtown.

“We’ve redone the boulevards and made it updated and clean and we want to make things super neat and tidy,” he said.

Propaganda owner Adam Balon said the move makes sense.

“I’m really excited to be part of this locally-owned site and to take care of our customers with a new shop. It’s classically the STC building, but with a new look and I love the fact there’s a ton of free parking, easy access and great visibility,” he said.

Balon is delighted their new location is still very much in the downtown.

“I’m a strong proponent of the downtown, I love it and love some of the changes being made. You don’t need to discard the old; you can re-use things with a fresh vision and new ideas.”

Carolyn Carleton, the executive director of the Prince Albert Downtown Business Improvement District said the renovation to the building was “fantastic news.”

“I think it’s great to have local business owners re-investing in the downtown. Who knows what may have moved in there so we’re really excited about things.”

She figured the more rejuvenation that happens in the downtown the more others seem to want to follow suit.

“I have people contacting me about façade grants and fixing their own frontages and others showing interest in all the available listings we have right now. People want to be part of what’s happening right now,” she said.

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow