Las Vegas native returns to roots with mixed-media business in arts district

It's hard to describe Institution 18b, 918 S. Main St., one of the newest businesses in the 18b Arts District, because the concept is new to the Las Vegas Valley, even though the man who's bringing it here isn't.

"Essentially, what we have here is a verge culture lab," said Las Vegas Valley native Wil Eddins. "The things that are happening here are all going to pertain to culture. It's street culture, youth and urban culture, and apparel is just one part of it."

Eddins saw similar businesses when he lived in New York, Los Angeles and Boston, and he hopes the concept can work here. As the head menswear buyer for Boston-based retailer karmaloop.com, he made connections and saw ideas he felt could and should be here. The new venture looks at fashion as one part of a cultural gestalt that also includes music, art and socialization.

"People have a particular look, a particular vernacular," Eddins said. "They listen to music and enjoy art that is related to it."

The venture is just 2 months old, but Eddins has already made connections with the community and has worked out deals with other organizations and companies, including James M Wong of The Reset Project.

"We're an events company that does lifestyle events," said Wong, the president and innovations director of The Reset Project. "What we're really good at is helping people and businesses make positive, sustainable change in their lives or their culture."

Wong brought the project's signature event, the Sunday Reset Project, to Institution 18b, where the back area of the space was used for an exercise program. Eventually, Eddins hopes to convert the space into a mixed media workspace.

"At the Sunday Reset Project, we do the five things we believe in: move, balance, dream, create and eat," Wong said. "We usually start at 8 a.m. with a nice, easy run or an urban hike with a local guide who can tell people something about the area. This Sunday, because it's so cold outside, we exercised."

For Eddins, this was just the sort of thing he hoped to bring to his business. His plans include turning the backyard into a chill spot, marketing mixed media work online and adding an urban garden in a grow container as a separate but related business. He envisions using the garden to provide food for the community and also using it as a marketing tool.

"For instance, if I were to work with a record label, I could say, 'We can put one of your artist's music on and have it playing for this particular tomato vine,' " Eddins said. "The garden would have its own personalities and social media."

Eddins is excited by the opportunity he sees in downtown Las Vegas and the Arts District. He cited the new growth, pending urban housing, the road project that will widen the roads around the property and other signs of gentrification as reasons for his return to his hometown and starting the new venture.

"Breaking through in Las Vegas is going to be a challenge, but there are people out there seeking product like this," Eddins said. "There are other retailers out there, but I'm positioned in the Arts District. We're pioneers on this street for what we're doing."

Call 702-476-5704 or visit institution18b.com.

— To reach East Valley View reporter F. Andrew Taylor, email ataylor@viewnews.com or call 702-380-4532.