It used to be the center of the city. But, years ago, a mall came to town and shops downtown slowly closed their doors.
Now, those empty shop windows are filling in.
As we continue to highlight Our Town Eau Claire, we talk to the developers who have downtown Eau Claire bolting back to life.

This three room shop on Barstow is everything Nancy Knocke was looking for to launch her craft store.

"It's a good corner. So many things are happening downtown and we wanted to be a part of it," says Knocke who owns Wildwood Crafts & Treasures with her husband.

This sign a couple blocks up is a dream come true for Geoff Moeding.

"When I came to Eau Claire, I was kind of forced to work in the suburbs because that's where the work was. But, my heart was always downtown,” he says.

This project is the sort of thing Michael Lander loves to do.

"It’s beautiful, landscaped, comfortable. You might find yourself walking for several blocks and not even realize it because it's so attractive," he says.

Moeding saw some of Lander's work in the Twin Cities and arranged a meeting with the Minneapolis developer. Not long after that, Lander made his first trip to Eau Claire and their partnership, Phoenix Parkside was born.

"Geoff brought these photos of 5000 people at the farmers market and people enjoying a summer concert," Lander says.

Lander says that was proof enough that people were willing to enjoy Eau Claire's downtown. Now with a grocery store, a pharmacy and a coffee shop ready to set up shop, Phoenix Parkside is banking on the fact that some people will want to live there.

"There hasn't been new housing in downtown Eau Claire for a while,” Lander says. “It's not for everyone, but we think there are folks who are attracted to the connection with nature near the river and the walkablity."

Moeding says even if some folks don't want to move in, he thinks downtown will definitely draw them in once in a while.

"I think everybody is going to be happy that downtown is back and will provide another thing in Eau Claire for people to enjoy and take part it," Moeding says.

Knocke says even with no sign out front, people have been wandering in off the sidewalks. She says the North Barstow Project will do wonders for the city and her business.

"We are a shop by ourselves in a group. Downtown is very interesting, with beautiful old buildings,” Knocke says. “Phoenix Park is a big draw and we enjoy the Farmer's Market so much. There's so much happening, we wanted to join in and have some fun."

Moeding and Lander tell us they hope to start construction this summer and say they'll definitely be opening doors within a year.