Historic Harvey’s Store in Idaho Falls to be restored to former glory

IDAHO FALLS — A local architecture firm is restoring a building once known as Harvey’s Store on 1st Street.

What was once a local hub for the community to get fishing supplies and training — as well as stop and chat with friendly folk — is planned to be a venue for small events.

Construction on the building started this spring, and it is anticipated to be complete by this fall.

Graham Whipple, a founding partner of Resin Architecture, was trained in the early years of his career for historic preservation. He said that when he moved back to Idaho Falls, there hadn’t been as many opportunities for historic preservation, but that hasn’t stopped him from creating them.

Whipple said Harvey’s Store was originally in a different location in Idaho Falls, on South Higby and 18th Street. Originally a very small single-family home, it sat there from the early 1900s till mid to late 1930s. Then it moved to 1st Street, where it became a retail space. Marcella and Harvey Oswald were the ones who moved the building and ran the store.

“There’s a real importance in understanding that 1st Street was once the Yellowstone Highway. This was the path that people traveled to get from wherever through Idaho Falls to Yellowstone — right in front of this building,” Whipple said.

“Historically, it was a center for outdoor supplies, knowledge and training,” he said.

When Resin Architecture bought Harvey’s Store and the neighboring building, which now houses Megpies, its goal was to ensure these local landmarks were preserved and their stories told.

Keely Lange-Fellows is an interior designer at Resin Architecture. She helped create the concepts for the interior of Harvey’s Store. Although photos exist of the exterior of the store, Lange-Fellows said it’s more unknown what the inside of Harvey’s Store looked like. So her job has been to do the blank canvas justice, delve into library records, and let people’s memories of the building guide what the interior should look like.

“It was a neighborhood hub where people would come and get a soda or a beer or whatever and sit and talk and share the news,” Lange-Fellows said. “I know we’ve seen a lot of people who have memories of it when it was open, that kids in the neighborhood would bring soda pop bottle tops and trade them in for candy.”

Whipple said one challenge with restoring Harvey’s Store is that it didn’t have a foundation or proper floor under it. The wood supporting it has sat on dirt for about 90 years.

“Over that time, that wood has deteriorated to a point where if we didn’t do something, the building would be absolutely lost,” Whipple said.

So, the company’s in the slow, meticulous process of stabilizing the building.

“We could just tear it down and rebuild in a similar way, but that’s not what historic preservation is,” Whipple said.

Whipple said Resin Architecture wants to preserve the character of the building — all the scars and irregularities, down to the texture of the stucco. Even the mural on the south wall of the building, which was painted by Marcella and reads “Harvey’s Store,” will be restored.

All in all, the rehabilitated Harvey’s Store will have a new foundation and floor, insulation, historically appropriate doors and windows, a new roof with cedar shingles like the originals, light fixtures that are respectful to the original character of the building, an original sign from the store, and an ADA-accessible entrance and bathroom.

Whipple said it probably won’t happen this year, but in the future the company also hopes to restore the garden space outside Harvey’s Store.

“This is where Marcella Oswald taught fly fishing out in the lawn to the west of the building,” Whipple said. “This is where they would teach techniques — out in the yard, in the garden. So we want that very much to be a part of the place as well.”

The new space, planned to be a small event venue for rent, is envisioned to host things like small business conferences, birthday parties, baby showers or bridal showers.

“It is a very modest building, but sometimes that’s where the most powerful stories and remnants of our history are. They need to be appreciated,” Whipple said.

The historic Harvey’s Store building is at 331 1st Street.

Biz Bits

Regional salon industry leader introduces boutique concept focused on elevated everyday beauty in downtown Idaho Falls

The following is a news release from The Holiday.

IDAHO FALLS — A new chapter is unfolding in downtown Idaho Falls as salon owner and regional industry leader Niki Fitzgerald introduces The Holiday, a boutique salon created around the belief that beauty is meant to be lived in—not saved for special occasions.

Nestled within one of downtown’s historic buildings, The Holiday offers a quieter, more intentional salon experience where thoughtful craftsmanship, healthy hair and personalized care take precedence over trends.

After two months of carefully reimagining the former Glow Hair Company location, Fitzgerald and her team are introducing a salon built around elevated everyday beauty, meaningful relationships and an experience that feels as restorative as it is refined.

“The Holiday has lived in my heart for many years,” Fitzgerald said. “To me, a holiday isn’t simply a vacation. It’s a pause, a chance to restore yourself, regain confidence and return to your life feeling refreshed. That’s exactly what we hope every guest experiences when they walk through our doors.”

While many in the community remember the space as Glow Hair Company, The Holiday represents a new vision for this downtown location. From the guest experience and service philosophy to the team, pricing structure, and exclusive partnership with Kérastase, every detail has been thoughtfully considered to create a salon where quality is never hurried, and confidence is built appointment after appointment.

Rather than chasing trends, The Holiday embraces a philosophy of Elevated Everyday Beauty — beautiful, healthy hair that fits naturally into the rhythm of everyday life.

“We’re not trying to create hair that’s beautiful for a photograph,” Fitzgerald said. “We’re creating hair that women love wearing every day, hair that gives them confidence when they walk into work, meet friends for dinner or simply look in the mirror.”

That same philosophy guides the culture behind the chair. The Holiday invests in education, mentorship and professional growth, believing that exceptional guest experiences begin with exceptional professionals.

Choosing downtown Idaho Falls was equally intentional.

“Downtown has become one of the most vibrant parts of our community,” Fitzgerald said. “People come here to gather, shop, dine and connect. We wanted to create a salon that belongs here — a place that feels timeless, personal and quietly beautiful.”

With appointments now available, The Holiday invites women to experience a boutique salon where every visit is designed to feel like a welcome pause from the pace of everyday life.

Appointments may be scheduled online.

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