Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
TOM BROWN stands at the main desk at the Downtown Art Place during First Friday activities. A steady stream of people viewed the exhibits and crafts tables in the connected theater.
IRONWOOD - With the smell of smoke still in the air from the Feb. 21 downtown fire, shoppers showed up nonetheless Friday for the First Friday celebration in the evening.
A small Chelsi's Corner sales area was set up in the Ironwood Theatre lobby for the occasion. The clothing store at 102 E. Aurora St. burned in the fire in which three people lost their lives in upstairs apartments.
The cause of the fire has still not been determined, and the street is closed pending razing of the building and the one next to it at 104 E. Aurora and the charred rubble that remains.
Contrast Coffee, also damaged in the fire, remained closed Friday.
There was a steady stream of visitors to the theater and the Downtown Art Place on Friday, where the theme of "Craft Your North" was played out with many tables.
Visitors also enjoyed the arts exhibits at the DAP.
Other downtown businesses planned special events for the evening, when the stores remain open later than usual. The warm weather boosted the turn-out of shoppers.
Around 6 p.m., some people simply sat in the darkened theater's seats, soaking in the aura and taking photos of the grand facility.
Visitors were encouraged to sign up for a $100 raffle prize.
-Ralph Ansami
