The downtown area can easily be one of the most integral parts of any city. With centralized businesses, bustling activity and much more, this area is often the link that holds cities together. Portage’s downtown has been able to thrive with the help of the city’s Downtown Development Corporation (DDC), a group working hard to make the area a stronghold for the community. Through its efforts, the DDC has been able to keep the heart of Portage pumping, pouring life and countless opportunities into the area both now and for many years to come.
“Our goal for the DDC is to essentially advocate and provide assistance to both companies and nonprofits that are looking to settle in and develop the downtown,” said Portage Mayor Austin Bonta.
Portage’s historic downtown area has seen its fair share of changes over the years. A Portage native himself, Bonta recalls when it was known as the Portage Mall and consisted of an East and West Side. Around 2006-2007, the East Side was torn down, causing many businesses to close up shop or relocate elsewhere. Portage was then left without a centralized point in the city, and many remaining stores had no other option but to be scattered throughout the city.
However, it wasn’t long after the demolition that a new downtown for Portage was on the horizon. A road was later built where the East Side once resided. Years later, that road would become part of Founder’s Square, a main hub in the city today. Soon after the road came, other city staples like the police and fire station and a downtown area were slowly but surely beginning to form once again.
With the DDC now at the helm of furthering the downtown’s growth — along with partnerships from organizations such as the Portage Chamber of Commerce and the Portage Economic Development Corporation — Bonta is confident that only great things for the space lie ahead.
“I'm really proud of this team because they see the potential; they see what Portage is,” Bonta said. “Portage is the third largest city in Northwest Indiana. We have a growing population, and we have a lot of developable land. We also have great space to fit things in between. We have 44 million people who drive through the city every year. We're within a 10 to 15-minute drive of about 80,000 people, and we are within a 45-minute drive of 715,000 people. The economic possibilities for our city are huge! We have a group of people at the DDC who understand that. They don’t just believe that they're able to sell that, they know they’re able to facilitate it.”
Today, Portage’s Downtown is a thriving community due to the efforts of the DDC. Not only are many new businesses joining the downtown scene but current Portage staples have been able to further expand as well.
For instance, Bonta noted a new Starbucks will soon open across from City Hall, which will give residents a nice treat after a trip to the local library and its newly constructed library garden. On the Roxx, a Portage bar, has been able to expand with its event venue Decibels, allowing for more comedy acts, musical entertainment, and special guests to visit Portage. The venue recently had Pauly Shore stop by, and with the help of the DDC, it’s sure to have even more high-end guests appear in the future.
One of the newest businesses on the block is Louie Wingz & Catfish, which relocated from Valpo to Portage after its lease ended last year. The restaurant is extremely thankful for its time in Valpo, but moving to Portage has led to ample opportunities that have only been possible in its new location. Now, the restaurant is able to expand and add an event space for people to gather together as they chow down on their favorite meals.
“The location we found in Portage seemed perfect. It was more so a melting pot – it was a place where a lot of life seemed to exist, and that's exactly what we were looking for,” said co-Founder and co-Owner Amber Jordan. “Everybody has been kind and generous. People have been so understanding and patient. It’s been a long time coming, but to open up and to have such positive feedback has been the greatest.”
Candy Shack was also in for a sweet treat when it joined the Portage community. The candy store—which sells ice cream, Dippin’ Dots, and slush puppies—has recently found a forever home right in Portage’s downtown area, with the help of the DDC.
“The DDC has been great at getting businesses that can come in and last a long time,” said Owner Leroy Vega. ”If you look where we are, Andy's Red Hots has been here for over 27 years, so being in the same area is a great feeling. The longevity is nice, we have a great flow of people, and I like the location that we have, so things have worked out well.”
With so much already established and so much potential still on the horizon, it’s safe to say that Portage’s downtown area will be the place to be for businesses, community members, and others across the Northwest Indiana community alike for many years to come, and it’s all thanks to the help and efforts of the DDC.
For more information and to stay updated on all the new businesses making their way to the City of Portage, please visit portagein.gov.