“People’s Place Gallery” grand opening block party in downtown Elmira

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – A block party to celebrate the grand opening of the “People’s Place Gallery” on Baldwin Street in downtown Elmira is set for this Saturday at 3 p.m.

Artist, fashion designer and “Fright” frontman Michael Houghton showed us inside the gallery at 114 Baldwin St. Houghton says the “People’s Place Gallery” will be a space for artists to showcase their work.

“Basically, showing some really serious talents that have to be seen,” Houghton told 18 News. There’s so many that are under the woodwork, or they don’t know how to get management of sorts like an agent. So, we will try to help them get a platform.”

Houghton is also planning to open a cafe inside the gallery and a private club with a full bar. He says the gallery will also be used as an event space.

In 1969, Houghton started working at Tommy Hilfiger’s first clothing store in downtown Elmira called the “People’s Place.” It was located on the corner of North Main and Gray Street, where the LECOM Event Center stands today.

“Tommy just came out of high school, so I was kind of getting what they got, in a different way, in a different era, but I got the bite. I got infected; this is what I want to do. It’s a cool thing, because its rock n roll, it’s cool clothing, its long hair, the sort of one percenters, and I always felt like I was part of that category,” Houghton added.

“Seeing Tommy do that from ground zero is just outstanding. Self-taught, self-made he was. I mean, what a mentor, what a mentor.”

Houghton recently came back to Elmira after living in New York City for 35 years. During that time, he worked on his own fashion designs and became the frontman of the rock bank “Fright” alongside Tommy’s brothers Billy and Andy.

Part of Baldwin Street will be closed to traffic Saturday as several bands take the stage starting at 4 p.m. Fright is headlining the event at 7 p.m.

“I call it the end of summer bash,” Houghton said. I want to introduce people to having a good time again, and I know a lot of people who want to help.”

“I really feel strong about Elmira, New York really coming back, in a different way. It’s never going to be 1965 again, or 1972. Its 2024. People have to understand that. It’s not going to be what it was; it’s going to be something new. That’s the case, and that’s the way to think.”

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