Apr 22, 2007

Vinegar Plant Becomes ‘Traders Market’By Lori Harrison-StoneNWAOnline.net

Rogers — Fresh fruit, coffee, appliances and more under one roof may soon be the newest asset to the Rogers Downtown Historic District.

Developer Moe Torabi is completing renovations to the old vinegar factory at the north end of First Street, where he’s now leasing retail spaces. Torabi said last week that he hopes to have a variety of shops within the building, which will feature a wide walkway, plenty of seating, flat-screen televisions and soft music.

Traders Market will be a unique atmosphere for Rogers that should complement what’s already happening downtown, Torabi said. If his hopes are fulfilled, that atmosphere will include a sense of community, reasonable prices and freshness.

“We want it to have a feeling of a happening place,” he said. “We want to make it a place where everybody will want to come and hang out. Maybe buy something.”

Although the market will include a discount appliance store, a gift shop, an arcade and possibly clothing stores and a furniture store, Torabi said it won’t all be dried goods like a mall. He’s also hoping to attract vendors who want to offer fresh items, like fruits and vegetables, but also fresh juices, baked goods and fresh flowers.

Rent in the building is reasonable, Torabi said, adding that he hopes that will spill over in the prices. In fact, he’s expecting to lose money in the first year or two in an effort to keep prices low. For example, he hopes to attract a coffeehouse that will offer cups for $1.50 at the most, rather than $3 or $4 a cup.

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