Five years after Santino Lamancusa took a big leap of faith opening Hangar Art Co., the downtown Bloomington gallery will close its doors on July 11— with plans to reopen in a new location.
The 4,500-square-foot storefront, formerly home to Half Hazard Press, is intentionally large, aimed at providing Bloomington-Normal artists exhibition space for pieces that don't fit in other downtown galleries.
In an email, Lamancusa said escalating rent and his uncertainty over downtown Bloomington's revitalization plans have made the current location at 105. W. Jefferson St. unsustainable.
Lamancusa said his original landlord gave Hangar Art Co. first right of refusal to continue leasing, or buy the storefront. The building has since been sold to the company that manages a homeowners association for the housing above Lamancusa's business.
“This summer, the new owners have decided that what I built is worth more than I’ve been paying and wanted to start raising my rent every year moving forward,” Lamancusa told WGLT. “With the economy we’re in, the trials ahead these next few years downtown and with all the streetscape and redevelopment plans, we made the decision to not sign a new lease."
Hangar Art Co. will close its doors after the July 11 First Friday events. They plan to conduct business online until a new location is secured. There will be a moving sale, along with a 20% or more discount on items currently in stock.
“I’ve loved being a part of this art community the last 10 years and will miss downtown, but we built that space and we’ll build the next one even better,” Lamancusa said.
