District nurtures cultural commerce

The southeast section of downtown Harrisburg was once considered the end of the world, said Brad Jones, vice president of community development for Harristown Development Corp. There were only a couple of businesses in the corridor, and not much traffic passed through, he said.

But Harristown believed in the potential of the sector. So its affiliate, Harrisburg-based Blackberry, opened Bricco restaurant, Olewine’s Meat and Cheese House and Ciao! bakery in the first floor of International Place in early 2006. International Place is a mixed-use student housing, restaurant and retail complex that wraps around the corner and extends down South Third and Chestnut streets.

Harristown planted a seed, and an international business district has sprouted south of Market Street.

A Mexican-style restaurant, a pub, an African-American bookstore and more have joined a group of established businesses in the up-and-coming district.

Harristown and businesses in the district labeled the area SOMA, which stands for south of Market. SOMA stretches east from South Third Street to the Harrisburg Transportation Center at the corner of South Fourth and Chestnut streets. It also encompasses Dewberry and Blackberry streets.

Last year, to get the word out about International Place and

SOMA, International Place hosted a free film series in a parking lot across from the complex. A winter festival was held last year, and an Oktoberfest celebration took place last month on Chestnut Street.

“We’re trying to be the catalyst for all of this,” Jones said.

Juan and Lisa Garcia saw potential in the district, too. The couple opened an authentic Mexican restaurant called El Sol May 29 at 18 S. Third St.

Business was phenomenal throughout the spring and slowed during vacation season, Lisa said. It has picked back up in the past several months, she said.

“We were looking for a while at different available places. None were quite the right fit. We like the idea of being on Third Street because Second Street is known for the bar scene,” Lisa said. “We liked that the mayor wanted this

(SOMA) to be an international-dining district.”

Pasquale’s Pizza is next door to El Sol, and Casa Café sits across the street. Bricco, which serves European-style gourmet food, is less than a block away; and Tara Station, a pub and restaurant co-owned by Ireland native Stuart Delves, sits on South Fourth Street.

The Susquehanna Art Museum on Market Street flanks the district. And established businesses such as Mr. Mike’s records, Walker’s Art and Frame Shop, and Shakti Grocery help give the area an eclectic bohemian feel, Jones said.

So does Minjah Body Oils & Variety Store Inc. Wholesale & Retail at 13 S. Third St. Owner

Mohiuddin Bhuiyan has owned the store since 2002. And while he is happy to see other businesses open in the district, the lack of parking along Third Street hinders business, he said.