For four years, Midvale City and Main Street property owners have invested in the Midvale Main Arts & Culture District by revitalizing buildings, inviting local businesses and replacing boarded-up windows with new shops and eateries. An agreement that allocates up to $15.5 million to Midvale Main Street has spurred growth and encouraged development. 

On March 21, a ribbon cutting and lighting ceremony showcased the investment by welcoming Cactus & Tropicals (7696 Main Street) and The Bambino pizzeria (7692 Main Street) to Midvale. Cactus & Tropicals is a locally-owned floral design shop located in the historic Vincent Drug, with The Bambino offering authentic wood-fired pizza next door. 

“This is a different Main Street than it was five years ago,” said Midvale City RDA Director Nate Rockwood. “We are starting to see the realization of our vision to take the historic bones of this area and modernize it to be a hub of good food, art and culture not just for Midvale, but the entire region.”

Midvale Mayor Dustin Gettel hosted the ribbon cutting at noon and then turned on the newly installed festival lights on Main Street later that evening. A new marquee sign for The Pearl on Main (7711 Main Street) welcomes visitors on the south side of the pedestrian-friendly corridor and the festival lights crisscross the length of the street until it reaches Midvale City Hall on the north side. 

“We’ve been doing a lot of work here on Main Street,” Gettel said. “We’ve thought about light and different lighting situations for years now. I did not know what festival lighting was. Now I feel like I’m sort of an expert in it.”

Ongoing revitalization projects include the old Midvale State Bank which has plans to become a restaurant. Other buildings will offer retail space on the ground floor with housing units above. 

The Midvale Main Food Truck Plaza, located north of city hall, will soon open for regular food truck events. The plaza will feature trees, shaded awnings and seating for residents and visitors who want to enjoy local fare from a variety of food trucks every Tuesday night.

City-run programs like the Main Street Facade Improvement Program and the Midvale Main Business Loan Program are intended to stimulate business development along the historic Main Street. 

Arts initiatives like Los Muros on Main, the Midvale City Mural Festival scheduled for Saturday, June 7, highlight public art, making the street a must-see stop for locals and tourists. Midvale’s arts investment includes nearly $2 million committed to public art, with more than 40 murals in the district.

Scott and Karin Pynes own Cactus & Tropicals. They are excited to open their third location in Midvale because of its rich history and dedication to the revitalization of the area.

“Cactus and Tropicals has been in business for almost 50 years, but we’ve never had the opportunity to be in such a unique, urban setting. There’s great energy here,” the Pynes said.

For many years, Midvale’s Main Street served as a shopping destination for county residents until the construction of I-15 diverted traffic away from the area. The city’s focus on reinvigorating the corridor has attracted a vibrant tattoo industry, retail boutiques, galleries, restaurants and coffee shops. The investment helped Midvale land at 14th in a 2024 WalletHub ranking of best small cities to start a business. 

“I think it’s just the vibe that we have here, it’s exciting,” Gettel said. “It’s something new. It’s what the residents of Midvale have been looking for in Main Street and we’re happy to give it to them.” λ