OGDEN
Ogden’s 25th Street Overcoming a bad rap
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ew businesses are popping up on Ogden’s Historic 25th Street adding more dining and shopping to its thriving three downtown blocks — Brookey Bakes, Alaskan Gold Connection, Table Twenty Five, and Historic Street Market are a few popular newcomers. No Frills Diner, relocating from 12th Street, is also expected later this month. Historic 25th Street, aka Notorious Two Bit Street or Electric Alley, is the heart of the city, beating on for over a century through decades of being blighted by a bad rap and rife with vacancies when all but locals were too afraid to go anywhere near its threeblock length. Today, its vitality echoes what its initial boom must have been
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like after the Ogden Union Station opened in 1869, the street is once again an alluring destination that attracts new businesses and travelers thanks to revitalization efforts that were started in the mid-nineties by the city and community members. As a newcomer, Carl Cox had no preconceived notions of the street other than it seemed like a great place to have a business, and so far he is pleased. A professional jewelry maker for more than 45 years, he opened Alaskan Gold Connection on Historic 25th Street at the end of May last year in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. “I win the award for worst timing,” he jests. When relocating from Fairbanks,
PHOTO COURTESY OF WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY
By Deann Armes
