Windsor’s downtown revival — trend or blip?
New businesses filling up vacant storefronts in Windsor’s downtown core
Something
Windsor.
Shop windows in the downtown, which have been vacant for months or even years, in some cases, are starting to fill up with new shops and services — and is changing in they aren’t either.
Tony Wood is busy putting the finishing touches on his new concept on Water Street, a combination cycling rentals and instrument sales/repair shop called The Spoke & Note.
The interior is full of obvious signs of renovation — wooden boards, a circular saw lying in wait, a level leaning against the your usual stores wall. It’s a work in progress. But the rainbow hearts and messages from Wood’s young children on the giant chalkboard shows there’s lots of love inside as well.
Wood grew up at Moe’s Place Music in Windsor, now Moe’s Place Music School, playing music and learning how to repair instruments. Although he’s happy Moe’s has focused on providing music education, he wanted to bring the original Moe’s vibe back to town.
“We were just missing a local area to buy strings, to hang out, to jam,” Wood said. “I wanted to take that, re-create it, add my own vision to it and also apply another passion of mine, which is cycling, community, and exercise.”
He figured, “Why not blend the two together?”
The store will encompass instrument sales and repairs, as well as accessories on one side, with bicycle rentals, service and more on the other. He’s hoping to open his doors at the end of March.
The store is located on Water Street, in the former Our Mother’s Keepers location, which moved to Gerrish Street in early 2018.