— In one classically funny “Seinfeld” episode, George Castanza famously tried to decipher his boss’s code for a project he didn’t pay enough attention to when instructed by recalling the lyrics of Petula Clark’s “Downtown.”

I, too, am trying to break a code and solve a mystery. Coincidentally, I am also reminded of Clark’s 1967 hit song while I try.

It was one of my absolute favorite songs at the time of its popularity. I was reminded of it as I strolled down Main and Market streets in downtown Johnstown on Friday night, Sept. 17.

The Young Professionals Association, in a continued effort to win the do-gooders of the year award, hosted an art crawl through town that evening. It was an open house of sorts, designed to show off some really cool unused storefronts to stimulate the community’s imagination for reviving our downtown.

What a great idea!

It was really fun walking down the sidewalk on Main Street and seeing and greeting others doing the same. Some familiar faces, some new faces – all friendly, happy faces.

People seemed genuinely thrilled to be invited downtown to stroll as the last light of day gave way to the warm glow of streetlights.

Was that all it took, an invitation? If it is that simple, then why can’t we make that happen more than once a year?

Various local artists and musicians shared their crafts and talent with the visitors. The first storefront I went into was at 407 Main St. The first floor was available for retail use and because James W. Elston, a Johnstown artist with a wonderfully whimsical eye, was showing his work there it felt like a great space for a gallery.

It even has its own huge walk-in vault, very cool.

This space is one of a number of projects being spearheaded by Lauren Lazzari, who used to babysit my two children and is now on the verge of giving birth to her second child.

She is the most wonderful, committed, kind and bright young mother you could hope to find as a community leader in any big city and she could certainly have applied her considerable gifts anywhere.

But she is here, following in the footsteps of her father, Richard Burkert, and mother, Ellen Singletons. As families go, they have made a positive contribution to our community for the past 20 plus years, second to none.

Lauren has now rehabbed and placed back into the city’s tax base numerous downtown properties. With her husband, Mark, at her side, she shows no sign of slowing down and genuinely captures the spirit of the next generation of civic leaders.

Rose Howarth and her husband and my old high school buddy John Slezak were strolling as well.

We had a fun chat in front of a tiny available storefront on Market Street. This space might make a nice display area for a local jewelry artist. Small overhead, good foot traffic and successful retail neighbors already exist.

It was great talking to John and Rose. They have such a positive outlook on life and Johnstown. These are two people who truly walk the walk.

The evidence can be found all over the city’s West End as a result of their leadership with the West End Improvement Group among others. Now Rose is on City Council, where she will undoubtedly make a great contribution.

At the corner of Main and Market streets, near Morley’s Dog, is a more expansive tall-windowed first floor space that would make a great little watering hole.

Local avant-garde artist Norman Ed was showing amazing, one-of-a-kind sculptures while a new local band – Emmett and Mary (named for the streets where it two primaries reside)

– was playing eclectic originals outside, again, very cool.

Above the available storefront an old friend of mine Marylou showed me her loft and it was stunning. The vantage, the vaulted ceiling, the wide-open expanse and the style with which it is appointed would make Carrie Bradshaw envious.

All of this going on right in our own downtown.

The mystery to me is why – with so much talent, committed individual effort and abundant assets – we don’t have the thriving downtown that Petula Clark described when she sang, “You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares and go downtown. Things’ll be great when you’re downtown.”



Andy Lasky and his wife, Katie, own and operate City View Bar & Grill – “Atop Johnstown’s Famous Inclined Plane.” Andy’s articles can be found at www.cityview­bar­andgrill.com.