If you want to find an empty retail space in Fulton, you better move fast.
In the last year, two-thirds of the city's empty spaces have been snapped up, according to Bruce Hackmann, economic development director of the Callaway Chamber of Commerce.
"This is just a sign that retail in Fulton is good," he said.
As spaces fill, it creates interest, and interest creates demand.
"I think it does have a ripple effect," Hackmann added. "Regardless of how you create momentum, sometimes it feeds off itself."
In January 2016, Hackmann said he was working with an inventory of 31 available properties. Now, 20 of those properties are leased or purchased or under some sort of contract - and one has been demolished.
"There is a lot of interest," Hackmann said of inquiries. "I think people are seeing there's a lot of positive things happening in Fulton right now. There are a lot of new commercial entities looking for space and space is not easy to find."
In the last several weeks, the final two storefronts on Court Street between Fifth and Sixth streets became occupied. Creating Unkamen owner Karen Helmrich closed on the Blattner Building on Friday, and she is bringing to Fulton 22 employees and her business, the nation's fifth-highest-selling Etsy store.
The 13,500-square-foot Blattner building was constructed about 1890.
"We always said the theater and the Blattner building were the hub of the Brick District," Hackmann added.
Also just opened is All Things Beautiful Boutique at 521 Court St. with women's clothing and accessories. Going north, Cherry Hill Dental just announced plans to open a practice across the street from Walgreens on Bluff Street. In November, 1Canoe2 opened on Court Street, across from the courthouse, after extensively remodeling a former bank building. Fuller's custom jewelry store also opened further up the block, and Kingdom Feeds, Smockingbird's and Re-Made for a Purpose all recently expanded. A yoga studio opened on Nichols Street, and other projects, such as A1 Tool and Equipment Rental, are humming along, as well.
Fulton's south side still needs to be grown, but there are opportunities there, as well.
"Those are some good buildings, and they're vacant," Hackmann said, mentioning several.
Several years ago, the Chamber engaged the Mississippi firm, The Retail Coach, to help with a study and act as a matchmaker between prospective businesses and the Callaway County communities of Fulton and Holts Summit. Last summer, recommendations were made, including fast-food restaurants, small retailers such as auto parts stores and ALDI grocers and shoe shops. So far, none of the suggested businesses have opened outlets in either community.
"I'm not going to say I'm not disappointed at times," Hackmann told Fulton City Council members at Tuesday night's bi-monthly meeting.
He added on two occasions, the Chamber's contact persons at the Retail Coach firm left their positions.
In May, Hackmann and Tamara Fitzpatrick, executive director at the Chamber, will travel to the bright lights of Las Vegas and RECon, a global convention for the shopping center industry with opportunities for networking and deal making, 34,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors.
"We think that's going to be a very productive trip," Hackmann said.
Also further attracting attention is this coming August's total eclipse, during which Callaway County could be visited by thousands of interested visitors. All in all, there's a lot to be excited about in Fulton.
"In all the years I've been in this job, I cannot remember when activity has been this strong, especially in the last month or so," he added. "It's really a sign that the community on a whole is doing things right. It's a lot of things coming together - the banks, the city, the merchants themselves."
Hackmann said the need for quality, affordable housing has to be addressed.
"We actually had a meeting yesterday with a developer to stimulate residential development in the community," he added.
Hackmann also mentioned the reconstruction of the Fulton State Hospital is also stimulating the city's economy.
"Our Brick District is just a real success story," he added. "We've got a lot we can really be proud of."