Flinn Block Mall Announces Grand Re-Opening After Fire

Flinn Mall

(ALBANY) - The Flinn Block retail mall announced today its grand re-opening will take place on Friday, September 29th, with a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of the building at 10:00 AM.

The mall has been closed since the fire that took place in the Thai Tip restaurant portion of the building on August 16th, 2006. This fire, widely reported by television, radio and print media in the Willamette Valley, was caused by failure of a cord to an appliance in the restaurant.

Initial time estimates to rehabilitate the retail mall ranged between three and six months. However, as a result of significant effort and investment, the restoration took just six weeks.

Merchants in the Flinn Block mall are eager to re-open; some will be offering specials during the grand re-opening weekend. Tenants in the retail mall include:

Frogs & Pollywogs toy store
Movies and Magic – classic movies and magician supplies
In The Lens Photography
Annie Mowry, Licensed Massage Therapist
Chandra’s Boutique, a new art and candle shop
ReLook Nook – women’s consignment clothing and kitchen ware
KGAL radio station
Whispering Willows Antiques
New Wine Fellowship, a church

The Flinn Block is a unique historic structure in downtown Albany, considered by many to be the finest example of cast iron architecture in the entire Pacific Northwest, and is listed on the national historic register.

The new owners, Marc & Anni Manley of Albany, are in the midst of a comprehensive rehabilitation effort being completed with assistance from the City of Albany’s Central Albany Revitalization Agency (CARA).

Recent improvements include a newly painted exterior featuring historically accurate colors. “We’re so pleased the mall is reopening,” said Anni Manley, “and hope that lots of folks will come out to see how nice the newly painted buildings look. They really are transforming the streetscape of downtown Albany.”