Water Tower Plaza; photo by Foskett Creative, courtesy of the Town of Gilbert
The Town of Gilbert eschews the generic term “downtown” for a designation that not only identifies the area but encapsulates its personality: The Heritage District.
“We’re seeing strong interest in the Heritage District because both residents and businesses are seeking places that encourage people to stay longer and do more,” says Jennifer Graves, MPA, CEcD, MEDP, the Town’s interim director of economic development, explaining, “Consumers want walkable destinations where they can layer multiple experiences into one visit, and businesses benefit when visitors spend more time exploring, dining, and engaging. That’s why new developments like Heritage Park and South Anchor are bringing a mixed-use model to the district, supporting new residential options with planned dining and retail elements.”
Noting that Gilbert’s Heritage District is experiencing a powerful surge of growth as the Town intentionally builds a sustainable daytime and nighttime economy, Graves says the Town has used the community-driven Heritage District Master Plan as a guide in making strategic public investments, from traffic and connectivity improvements to the completion of our first phase of districtwide wayfinding. She points to the completed Water Tower Plaza renovation, with enhanced event space and a new splash pad, as further strengthening the district as a family‑friendly gathering place and expanded opportunities for community programming. “At the same time,” she adds, “private development is accelerating, bringing new mixed-use projects and long-lasting amenities that strengthen our live-work-play environment. Together, these elements are transforming the Heritage District into a true regional destination, fueling strong developer interest in the long-term opportunities this momentum creates.”
Drew Davis, store manager of The Bookish Shop, echoes this view from her on-site vantage point. “Downtown Gilbert has been in extreme economic growth with all the new businesses moving in and new properties being built on every corner. The appeal of Downtown Gilbert lies in the experience of it all — you can spend your entire day here, between grabbing brunch at Liberty Market, catching a live theater performance at Hale Theater, shopping at local small businesses like Be Queen, or The Bookish Shop; each business has a unique experience,” he says.
The Plant Mill; photo courtesy of the Town of Gilbert
The store celebrated its one-year anniversary this past April, but the owners’ roots go much deeper. “The owners grew up in Gilbert and always had a love for Downtown Gilbert,” Davis says. Enthusiastic about being “part of such a vibrant Downtown community that is always growing!” she also credits the two-way relationship as “The Bookish Shop contributes to the growth of Downtown Gilbert by providing a new third space for the already existing romance book community. Our shop hosts a wide range of events, including author signings, craft nights, trivia nights, patio markets, and free community events.”
The shop fills a niche that Davis says “downtown Gilbert has never had.” Its coffee shop offers a wide range of specialty drinks and fresh baked pastries from The Great Gadsby Bakery. “Our flavors and aesthetics of these drinks are often inspired by the books we stock our shelves with,” she says. “It is clear downtown Gilbert is a strong community between residents and businesses, and we are so lucky to be a part of that.”
Joe’s Barbecue is one of the longer-standing businesses that have given vitality to the area. Relating, “Joe’s Real BBQ opened in the Tone Building on January 20, 1998. We opened Topo Arizona on the property in 2019,” co-owner Tad Peelen shares, “When we opened, we were anticipating continued growth in Gilbert, with the Heritage District becoming a natural meeting place for residents, visitors and their guests.”
Joe’s Real BBQ storefront; photo courtesy of the Town of Gilbert
Nor has that confidence waned. “We are committed to constant improvement,” Peelen says, citing multiple remodel projects, both in the restaurant and in the onsite Picnic Park in recent years. “Those remodels included retrofits that improved the dining experience, allowed expansion of third-party delivery service offerings, and upgraded online ordering. In 2019 we built Topo Arizona, offering pedestrian-friendly fare, including burritos, soft serve and elote.”
Gilbert’s Heritage District; photo by Foskett Creative, courtesy of the Town of Gilbert
Speaking as an employer who has substantially increased his workforce over the years and whose increased sales have generated increased sales tax contributions that help fund Town initiatives, Peelen credits Town staff for actively engaging with Heritage District stakeholders.
Says Graves, “The Town of Gilbert is expanding its wayfinding and placemaking efforts in the Heritage District, adding vibrancy through median enhancements, new access roads, and working on infrastructure improvements that support the community’s long‑term vision. All planned construction projects are highlighted on our public communication site, DiggingtheDistrict.com, where we keep residents informed about both public and private development activity in downtown Gilbert and encourage ongoing community engagement.”
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