ABOVE: The Hub, located on W. 1st Street in Fairmont, will have a grand opening next week.

FAIRMONT– Local arts non-profit, Imagine Martin’s latest project, the “Hub” will celebrate its grand opening next week from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. The Hub is located at 103 W. 1St Street in Fairmont.

The purpose of the Hub is to be a central location for visitors and locals alike to find information on the communities in Martin County and what they all have to offer. It will also double as a gift shop as many local makers and crafters have products for sale.

Imagine Martin’s chairman, Jeff Rouse, has been working on transforming the space, formerly Our Story Studios, over the past few months. He and other board members have also been contacting vendors and finding businesses and organizations to support the project.

“There’s soaps and lotions and jams and canned goods,” said Alexandra Hurney, a board member.

Guests to the Hub can also find books written by Martin County locals, Bacon Capital T-shirts and works by local artists on sale.

“All of it is produced or developed in Martin County,” Rouse said.

On the exterior of the building, a new sign for the Hub, made by Designing Signs Inc., was just put up this week. Logos from the seven title sponsors are also on display on the outside of the building. They are: Martin County Economic Development Authority, Kim Kreiss EXIT Realty- Great Plains, Martin County Historical Society, Martin County Pork Producers, Fairmont National Insurance, American Legion Lee C Prentice Post 36 and CFS (Central Farm Service).

However, the main feature outside is 50 businesses and organizations, as well as every town in Martin County, that have brochure boxes outside.

“People can walk up to the building 24/7 and find flyers and information on where to shop, where to eat and where to stay throughout Martin County,” Rouse said.

Two televisions will also be installed outside of the building that will continuously run information about happenings in the county as well.

As a board member, Hurney said she supported the Hub because she thought it would be a great place to get creators in the community to showcase their work.

“Some people came out of the woodwork that I had never heard of,” Hurney said.

Board member Jeff Sauer agreed and said that there is a great diversity of creative arts and businesses showcased in the Hub.

“I love the organic feel of it,” he said.

Rouse added to that and said the Hub is set up in a way so that you’re not just looking at items for sale, but experiencing a fun and artistic atmosphere.

“Our whole goal is to bring more arts to the community and this has a cool vibe,” Hurney said. “People visiting communities tend to gravitate to the downtown so this was a good location to have all of the information.”

The grand opening on May 23 will feature food from Jo Jo’s BBQ and songs sung by Lonesome Ron. The Fairmont Robotics Team will also be demonstrating their robot in the street, which will be closed off for the event.

“Come grab a bite to eat, enjoy some tunes and see what the Hub is all about,” Rouse said.

Following the grand opening, the Hub will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.