Liberty Market Re-opens at 118 Main St.

Liberty Market is back on Main Street, a little closer to City Hall at 118 Main St., across the street from its former home in the Commercial Block building. 

At the Jan. 7 City Council meeting, Councilman Christopher Beauchamp asked Economic Development Director Matt Wojcik about work being done at 118 Main St., the vacant site recently eyed by Spindle City Pawnbrokers. 

"We try as best we can to fill these spots," said Wojcik, who had earlier noted he was working with Liberty Market's owner, Sheikh Jamil, to relocate the business after it was shut down by fire code violations discovered in the Commercial Block location following a fire there Dec. 3.

Wojcik said he was able to put Jamil and the owner of 118 Main St. together, and Jamil agreed to move the business there.

Beauchamp noted during the meeting that, with the location Spindle City Pawnbrokers had hoped to use taken, the pawnbroker's application for a license is now void.

"I would agree," said Mayor Leo Fontaine. 

The shop was open for customers Monday morning, advertised by a hand-made pink sign in the window. Inside, Safia Jamil was putting together another sign to put on the window at their old location telling customers where they'd re-opened.

"On people's request, we opened up here and hopefully we'll do better with everybody's help," said Sheikh. The interior, about twice as large and a little brighter than the market's previous home, presented a cozy, warm atmosphere — an improvement over their last spot, where the Jamils said they operated without heat.

Sheikh said they'll have an official sign up in about three weeks.