Politics & Government

More Nightlife Coming to Duluth With Tavern

Former Sensibly Chic shop on Main Street to be transformed into pub called 'Tavern on Main.'

 

More nightlife is coming to Historic Downtown Duluth soon. David Cossette and Shelly Howard plan to turn Sensibly Chic, their antiques and collectibles shop, into a pub called Tavern on Main.

They recently closed the shop for renovation. Cossette, who appeared at Monday (Feb. 21) night’s Downtown Development Authority meeting to request the DDA’s assistance in obtaining a low-interest loan for façade improvements, said he and Shelly plan to have their new business open in about three months.

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The tavern will “fill the need for more entertainment venues downtown,” Duluth Economic Development Manager Chris McGahee said.

McGahee reported that an interior design firm called Peace, Love & Decorating plans to open in the Main Street storefront space being vacated by Annabellagio. Owner Terrie Needham is closing the shop to focus on her online bridal jewelry and accessories business, which will continue to operate in the rear of the building.

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Several potential tenants have expressed interest in renting the space at the corner of West Lawrenceville and Main streets from landlord Mike Burrell, McGahee said. The space was recently vacated by SnoBiz.

Boudreaux’s opened Café Acadiana last Thursday in a vacant space in the Duluth Station shopping center at Buford Highway and Old Peachtree Road. The seafood market will continue operating at its downtown location on Main Street, McGahee said. “Crawfish season starts in about two weeks,” he noted. Patrons flock to Boudreaux’s for huge trays filled with the crustaceans when in season.

The city is in the process of obtaining bids for a master electrical box to provide consistent night lighting for the Main Street businesses in the Old City Hall Block, McGahee reported.

In addition, four crosswalks have been painted on Main Street and on Hill Street to improve public safety and access, he said.

The Public Works Department recently purchased a striping machine and has been re-marking faded parking spaces downtown starting around the Old City Hall Block, Park Café and Sassy Girls, McGahee also reported to the DDA. Next on the list to be re-striped are parking slots around the Red Clay Theatre and Pure Taqueria, he said.

Since opening in December, Eddie Owen Presents at the Red Clay Theatre has presented nine shows attracting 1,409 patrons, McGahee said, for an average of 156 attendees a show. “Most had not visited Duluth before,” he added.

The DDA agreed to walk through the downtown area on Saturday afternoon, May 19, to survey improvements and assess future needs.

Duluth Planning Director Glenn Coyne reported that the city is aware that closing the intersection at McClure Bridge Road, West Lawrenceville Street and Irvindale Road to all through traffic for four weeks to construct the roundabout has been an inconvenience to motorists, but the contractor is “moving as quickly and safetly as they can.” He encouraged drivers to follow the detours. The intersection is scheduled to reopen March 13.

 


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