SALISBURY — Catawba College now has a presence in downtown Salisbury with the April 8 opening of Downtown Catawba. This new storefront space in the Plaza building, near the corner of Main and West Innes streets, will help enhance Catawba’s ties with the Salisbury community.
Downtown Catawba will feature admissions information as well as the latest on athletic, theater and music events and the opportunity to buy tickets for these. Catawba clothing and related items will be available for sale. Plans are also taking shape to offer some special programming at this storefront location, including musical performances, readings and other presentations.
Initially, Downtown Catawba hours will be 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through the end of May. The storefront will also be open during Friday Nights Out, beginning with the April 18 Earth Night Out and continuing with the May 9 Spring Night Out. College officials will reassess the Downtown Catawba hours in mid-May and determine summer hours for the venue.
Catawba College President Brien Lewis said the college has been looking for a more tangible way to connect the campus, located approximately 2 miles from the Square, to downtown Salisbury.
“This storefront gives us a presence in the downtown area that we have not had. The only indication along Innes Street that Catawba College is located in Salisbury has been thanks to two small state directional signs posted along the street,” Lewis explained. “We’ve been here since 1925, are one of our area’s largest employers, and offer myriad ways for visitors and community members to connect with the college — everything from athletics events, to theatrical and musical performances and symposia and lectures.
“Downtown Catawba gives us an opportunity to be much more than a well-kept secret.”
Lewis said college officials had set the opening of the Downtown Catawba location as one of the institution’s goals in its 2013-2014 annual plan. While the college’s lease on the property, at 100 West Innes Street, Suite 103, began in December, refurbishment of the space, including new paint, carpet, IT infrastructure and signage, took several months to accomplish.
Visitors are invited to drop in to see the Downtown Catawba space and to look for news in the near future about special programming offerings there.