BARBERTON, Ohio — Main Street Barberton (MSB) announced today that it will assume management of the building at 571 W. Tuscarawas Avenue, home to White Rabbit Galleries (WRG), following WRG’s planned retirement at the end of the year. The move keeps a landmark downtown property active, preserves space for the artists and small businesses already there, and positions the building for its next chapter as a hub for local commerce.
At this time, the building will remain owned by the City of Barberton. Main Street Barberton, the nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing and promoting downtown Barberton, has agreed to take over day-to-day management to ensure the space continues serving the community rather than sitting vacant while the city is in transition to relocate their administration building and city property currently located on two floors of the building.
“This is an opportunity for Main Street Barberton to not only maintain support for artists and other businesses currently in the gallery, but also to expand beyond the art gallery’s mission and offer a possible starting point for other businesses. Additionally, it keeps the building in use and maintained with the city as we look towards the next stages of downtown development identified when the Master Plan is completed.” said Melanie Black, Executive Director of Main Street Barberton.
Continuity for Current Tenants
All current occupants of the building including the first-floor studio tenants and the second-floor artist studios, office, and classroom spaces will remain in place under Main Street Barberton’s management. No tenant will be displaced or asked to relocate as part of this transition. MSB’s goal is to protect the working artists and small businesses that already make the building a downtown asset while it plans for the space’s future.
A Deliberate Economic Development Move
Beyond preserving existing tenants, Main Street Barberton will evaluate the building’s remaining space including the ground-floor gallery for its highest and best use. That evaluation may include a vendor marketplace or similar small-business space, consistent with MSB’s mission to grow foot traffic, support local entrepreneurs, and strengthen downtown Barberton’s tax base and long-term vitality.
“Downtown buildings only work for this community when they’re active, occupied, and generating opportunity for local businesses,” said [Mayor Shorter Griffin, City of Barberton — DRAFT QUOTE FOR REVIEW/APPROVAL]. “Main Street Barberton has a proven track record of doing exactly that, and we’re glad to see this building stay in active use under their management.”
What Comes Next
Main Street Barberton will work with current tenants over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition ahead of WRG’s November 29 closure. In parallel, MSB will begin evaluating options for the building’s additional space, with more details including any vendor marketplace plans to be announced as they’re finalized.
About Main Street Barberton
Main Street Barberton is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization and promotion of downtown Barberton, Ohio, through economic development, community engagement, and preservation of the city’s historic downtown core.
About White Rabbit Galleries
White Rabbit Galleries operated as a community arts center at 571 W. Tuscarawas Avenue, providing studio, galleries, and event space for local artists and tenants in downtown Barberton.
