A renovated century old building in the north end of downtown Bryan reopens as a cultural event center

This podcast is a visit with a co-owner of The Kimbell cultural event center, Cassidy Barton, and WTAW's Bill Oliver.A century old building at the north end of downtown Bryan has been renovated and is reopening.Co-owners Cassidy Barton and Kristy Petty say in a news release that "The Kimbell Cultural Event Center is a repurposed historic landmark featuring galleries, event & rooftop space, pop-up/vendor areas, and community hospitality zones."Their mission "is to “Feed Your Soul” by amplifying Bryan’s cultural identity and supporting creative collaboration across the community."The news release says The Kimbell will have "rotating gallery shows, nonprofit and community programming, flexible event and vendor spaces, and a welcoming visitor hospitality zone—keeping Bryan’s cultural identity visible, accessible, and thriving."In a visit with WTAW News, Barton said the idea began in 2017 then took off after the pandemic in 2023.Barton and Petty were assisted by the Bryan city council, which approved an economic development agreement to assist with the cost of the renovation.Barton says she and Petty hopes "that people who went through the Kimbell Feed store building might still walk in and feel a sense of recognition" with the preservation of clay block walls, concrete floors, and lots and lots of wood.The October 3rd grand opening is timed with the grand opening of the 20th anniversary of downtown Bryan's First Friday event.Click HERE to be directed to The Kimbell website.