Forest Park is getting ready to turn a long-empty pharmacy into what city leaders hope will be the new heartbeat of downtown dining and small food businesses.
The city will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for The Grapevine, a planned food-business incubator and downtown gathering spot, at 11 a.m. on March 6 at the former Rite Aid at 833 Forest Parkway. The project will convert the vacant building into restaurant stalls, a coffee shop, an event stage and flexible offices geared toward helping small food businesses get off the ground. Organizers say parking for the ceremony will be available along Ash Street and at nearby Starr Park.
City officials have pitched The Grapevine as a place to “connect, create and grow,” describing it as “a vibrant hub where residents, professionals and visitors can come together,” according to News-Daily. The ceremony is expected to feature city leaders, members of the Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA) and project partners, so expect plenty of shovels and photo ops.
What The Grapevine Will Offer
The Grapevine is designed as a one-stop shop for food entrepreneurs and hungry locals alike. According to Business View Magazine, the former pharmacy will be reworked to include three restaurant spaces, a commercial kitchen that can support caterers and “ghost kitchen” tenants, a drive-through coffee shop and a bakery. Flexible meeting and office areas are also part of the plan…