Faces of Downtown Goshen

“When I first moved to the area, I didn’t know anyone,” says Julie Bruder, who teaches German at Goshen Middle School. “Geoff Owens told me about Ignition Music Garage and said they were looking for volunteers for shows. That was probably nine years ago, so I’ve been coming back to volunteer ever since. I really love Ignition Music and live music in general.”

As a volunteer, Julie says, “I arrive about an hour, hour and a half before the show starts and help set up chairs, help take tickets at the door, and basically anything that they need.”

Julie’s also volunteered for and participated in First Fridays and at Art House. Additionally, she got to work with local videographer Riley Mills on the film “Honeysuckle Whiskey,” which was screened during the River Bend Film Festival.

“That was shown downtown at The Goshen Theater, actually,” she says. “That was one of my most exciting moments, actually, to have a movie on the big screen.”

Julie says she is a frequenter of all the downtown Goshen businesses.

“We have such high-quality entertainment, food, and beverage venues that you don’t normally find in a small town, and the people are really proud of it,” she says. “I also love how it’s accepting of all types of people from all walks of life, I feel like.”

“I moved here the first time in 1997. I went to Goshen College,” says Jeremy Bernstein, a political consultant and community organizer. “My parents actually moved here for my dad to work at Bashor when I was going to Goshen College, and they’ve lived here ever since. I’ve lived in Iowa and Arizona. I’ve kind of lived all around before, and now I’m doing it again politically. Now that I’m working on political campaigns and going to different places, this is kind of a home base.”

When he’s at home, Jeremy visits a number of downtown Goshen spots.

“I like going to The Electric Brew,” he says. “I like going to Ignition Music for shows.” He also enjoys Constant Spring and The Elephant Bar, along with First Fridays and other community events.

“There are just so many different things to do, and different cultures,” Jeremy says. “It’s a very welcoming community, and I think downtown has that welcoming feel.”

“Art House originally is what brought me here,” says Steve Freeto. “Just being connected to New World Arts, and then Art House as it’s known now. I just fell in love with everything in the city and downtown and watched it grow from the first year of First Fridays to now. There’s plenty that keeps me here.”

Steve serves on the Art House board, and has also volunteered for First Fridays, Goshen’s monthly downtown festival. He’s also the founder of GoProv, Goshen’s improv comedy troupe.

“The biggest draw for Goshen is: If it doesn’t exist, someone will help you create it,” Steve says. “It goes back to GoProv. There wasn’t really improv and I wanted it to happen, so Laura Gouin and New World Arts were like, ‘Take it. It’s yours. You can make it.’ It’s that entrepreneurial spirit, but also collaboration. Everyone wants to see everyone else succeed. If you have an idea, someone in town can help that idea come to life.”