Ahead of the city’s downtown revitalization efforts, the city of Liberty Hill announced short-term plans for 1017 Main St., the site of the now-closed Parker’s Corner Market.
The details
While the city still owns the building, Mike Farr—owner of Liberty Hill concept Wish Kitchen + Bar—will lease the space as "Parker's Mercantile." Under this management, the location will host "live music, shopping, food and opportunities for entrepreneurs to test ideas," according to a news release from the city.
Farr has also owned businesses in the Austin metro area, including the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre.
While the city expects the space to open on weekends later this summer, the site has “several years” remaining before redevelopment.
During a Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce luncheon May 27, Deputy City Manager Brandon Pritchett said the city plans for "a short-term activation" of the space to host smaller vendors as the city develops "a longer-term plan."
“We're really excited about actually reshaping that corner,” Pritchett said. “We know it's a staple to the community, and we want to keep it the name of Parker’s ... it's become what that building's known for.”
The context
The move comes as part of the city’s efforts to address community demands for a more active downtown while ensuring the space does not remain vacant, the release states.
The city purchased the property for $1.6 million Jan. 8 and approved $150,000 in renovations March 25. The site, located near the intersection of Main Street and Hwy. 1869, is less than 200 feet from Wish Kitchen + Bar.
