Maybe it’s the $15,000 matching grant for new restaurants or the success of the Red Door Wine Market on South Tennessee Avenue.
Whatever the reason, something is happening in Dixieland.
Three new restaurants are moving to the area in the next several months, alleys have been bricked and repaved, and businesses have been renovated.
There’s even a new, colorful sign at the south entrance.
“It (Dixieland) is an area where people don’t mind stopping; it is quaint and it has its own character,” said Diane Simmons, owner of Butterfly Bistro, a new restaurant that is expected to open at the former Grassroot at 1212 S. Florida Ave., in November or December. “It has the potential of capturing what makes a community really good.”
GRANTS SPUR BUSINESS GROWTH
Money from the city has helped spark revitalization.
Earlier this year, the Dixieland Community Redevelopment Area advisory board approved a matching grant program that allows potential restaurateurs to be reimbursed up to $15,000 to improve the interiors of Dixieland buildings.
Coffee shops, bakeries, grocery stores, produce markets, health food stores and other specialty food stores also can qualify for assistance.
Nicole Travis, the CRA projects manager, said business owners are contributing more than the matching $15,000 to make improvements. Businesses also can receive grants for the exteriors of their buildings.
Reececliff Restaurant, Waller Plaza and the new Florida Spine and Injury Institute building took advantage of the grants and made improvements to their South Florida Avenue buildings.