How the 'new' Nordic Hall is bringing creatives together

Megan Raposa -

Simplified: It might look nondescript on the outside, but Nordic Hall – a historic office building on the south side of downtown – is bursting with creative energy. Get to know some of the businesses in the "New" Nordic Hall.

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When Jeff Gimenez first opened HIFI Hair in Nordic Hall about three and a half years ago, his business was surrounded primarily by offices.

  • Now, he's across the hall from Rose & Eugene Presents' new location, and down the hall from a number of other creatives running businesses from a used clothing shop to an art studio.

The building has a history of holding space for the – sometimes alternative – art scene. In the '90s there were punk rock concerts in the basement. (For more on that, check out local documentary "I Really Get Into It.")

"Nordic Hall is rooted in community at its core – so much history, so much heart," said Sarah Larson, founder of hARTt Studio and wife of Gimenez. "It is a collective of artful, kind-minded hearts working together."

What's the vibe at Nordic Hall today?

The vibes are – as the youths might say – immaculate.

Right now the building is home to:

  • SuFu Creative, a nonprofit working to make art accessible to everyone,
  • Midnight Spark, a permanent jewelry studio,
  • Zenith Art Studio,
  • hARTt Studio,
  • Flashy Trash, a vintage clothing store,
  • HiFi Hair,
  • and, newest tenant, Rose & Eugene Presents.

There's a tremendous amount of creative energy and collaboration between business owners, Zenith and SuFu Creative Founder Heather Cain said.

  • She gave the example of sharing ideas with her "Nordic Neighbor" across the hall, Caitlin Moen, owner of Midnight Spark. The two women chat often and have helped each other plan events and swapped business ideas.
"It's all about community," said Melanie Cotton, owner of Rose & Eugene Presents. "We're just tiny businesses supporting one another."

There's also a hope that by bringing more businesses – and specifically different types of businesses – it'll bring more foot traffic overall to Nordic Hall, Moen said.

What happens next?

Nordic Hall is hosting an open house and celebration of the "New Nordic" on Oct. 11. You can learn more about that event here.

Businesses are also participating in the Art and Wine Walk next Friday, and you can see new work from local artist Les Cotton at Rose & Eugene Presents.