Eureka real estate update! The long-vacant building at the northwest corner of Fifth and G streets is set to become a hub for local artsiness. The Ink People Center of the Arts made public today news that they have purchased the space, which has historically housed Meyer Bistrins clothing store, nightlife venues Club West, Indigo, Aunty Mo’s, the short-lived Eureka Alibi and most recently Roses’ Billiards. 

To celebrate the acquisition, Ink People staff held an open house gathering in their new digs. LoCO attended and snapped some photos, which you can find at the bottom of this post.

For more on the Ink People’s plans for the space, peruse their press release below:

After 46 years of stewarding arts and culture, The Ink People Center for Art and Culture has purchased 535 5th Street in downtown Eureka, converting a long-vacant structure into the organization’s first permanent home in its more than four decades of service to the North Coast. The acquisition positions The Ink People to expand programs, strengthen the creative economy, and support the flourishing of arts and culture across Humboldt County and the wider region.

“A permanent home for the Ink People means stability for artists and youth, space for cultural exchange, and year-round access to creative resources for the North Coast,” said Leslie Castellano, executive director of The Ink People. “Turning an underutilized and vacant building into a place for connection and possibility will support community flourishing and revitalization efforts throughout the region.”

“I am very proud of the ways the Ink People has grown since I have retired,” said Libby Maynard, co-founder and retired executive director of The Ink People. “This is a huge milestone for the organization and for the community.”

Located in the heart of the Eureka Cultural Arts District, 535 5th Street will be redeveloped into a flexible, community-serving facility. Plans include gallery and exhibition space; classrooms and convening areas for youth and adult learning; and a small performance and gathering venue. The organization will also consolidate administrative offices, increasing efficiency and public access.

The new site will expand the capacity of several core Ink People initiatives:

• DreamMaker Program: fiscal sponsorship and professional support for grassroots arts and culture projects serving neighborhoods across the North Coast.
• MARZ Project: a hands-on digital media and creative technology program where teens learn audio, video, design, and storytelling skills that translate to college and careers.
• Community Exhibitions & Events: rotating shows, public art activations, and cultural programming that reflect and celebrate the diversity of Eureka and neighboring communities.

By activating a long-underutilized property, the project advances local economic development goals. The center will attract residents and visitors to downtown, create contract and part-time opportunities for artists and creative workers, and provide a platform for small creative businesses to sell work, teach classes, and host events. The organization will work with local contractors, fabricators, and suppliers throughout renovation and build-out.

“This is an investment in people and place,” Castellano added. “A permanent cultural center supports jobs, draws cultural tourism, and keeps creative talent rooted here. Most importantly, it offers a welcoming, intergenerational space for learning, healing, and belonging.”

To ensure a successful transition, The Ink People is launching a capital campaign inviting individuals, businesses, and public partners to invest in the build-out and revitalization of the site. The campaign will include naming opportunities, sponsorships, and in-kind support to make the new home as beautiful, accessible, and vibrant as the North Coast communities it serves.

Renovation planning and community engagement will begin immediately, with phased opening of public-facing spaces to follow. The Ink People will announce opportunities for volunteers, partners, and donors to participate in the transformation of the site in the coming months.