New stores leaving their mark on downtown Fargo

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A number of downtown staples have decided to close their doors, or move to a new location.

Scan Design has been in its downtown location for almost 20 years.

But with their lease coming to an end, owner Mary Larsine-Cantrell said that the space no longer met their needs.

“We have three levels here, and so carrying furniture up and down stairs all the time is also a big challenge.”

Paradox Comics and Orange Records are also relocating, but they plan to stay a little bit closer, moving into the old Mexican Village location on Main Ave.

Paradox Comics Owner Richard Early says the move will help both stores cater to their communities.

“We do a lot of goofy stuff from nerdy rummage sales, to potentially doing record sales, to potentially doing live music, and we have our Free Comic Book Day every year. So yes, having the big parking lot for all those events, tent sales, all kinds of cool stuff, that’s a huge part of it.”

Elizabeth Moore, who owns Mooreoki Art Studio, says she thinks this kind of community outreach is important to people downtown.

“Everyone has been so nice, so welcoming. I couldn’t ask for a better community to actually be a part of.”

Hannah Stetler, owner of Scribble Lady, just celebrated her one year anniversary downtown.

Stetler says that it can be sad to see old staples leaving downtown, but that she thinks that it provides an opportunity to make something new.

“There’s definitely been, you know, places moving around, but I think it’s a good shift. I think people are finding new spaces that they like more and I think people are really excited to see fun fresh businesses downtown and lots of cool new things to explore.”

As for Early, he’s happy to be able to keep a little bit of history downtown.

“I think it’s really cool to be able to move sort of my… I don’t want to say historic but my long-term business that has a lot of history, into a place that has this much history and meaning to a lot of people.”