New Sandwich Place/Butchery coming to the area soon

The Durham Magazine Blog has an interesting article about a two budding entrepreneurs, Katie and Justin Meddis, who have recently moved to the Triangle from California and are looking to start a small organic butchery and sandwich/pastry  shop in Durham. They are calling it "Rose's Meat Market  and Sweet Shop." Between them, the couple has extensive culinary experience and deep appreciation for sustainable agriculture and business practices.

The couple is currently looking at retail space on Ninth Street (the old Magnolia Grill space, anyone?), Watts-Hillandale or Trinity Park. In the meantime, they are doing a series of private dinners where you can check out chops

New tenants for 721 Broad Street

Anyone driving down Broad Street will be hard-pressed to overlook a massive renovation that is taking place at 721 Broad Street, a former one-story building occupied by Triumph, a mental health counseling agency, that has now morphed into a striking two-story building with the help of BLOK architecture and its principal, Sasha Berghausen.

Well, it looks like the renovations are almost over and several new tenants are moving into the building. First, Sasha reports that a boutique shop will be occupying the front of the building. Next, American Dance Festival will be moving its offices into the building, together with a new bakery concept -- allegedly called Hummingbird -- the brainchild of Army Tornquist of Watts Street Grocery. And, finally, the Outsiders Gallery is growing and will be adding a second location, dubbed "Outsiders Too," projected to open on August 1. (While on the subject of Outsiders, check out their appeal for funds to refurbish the old space and add to the new space here)

Adding to the excitement, the former parking lot between 721 Broad and Nataraja Healing Arts will be turned into an outside patio and exercise deck.  Read more about this project here.

It is amazing how just one building has the potential to transform a formerly hum-drum stretch of Broad street into a vibrant community space!

Mitch's Bar and Grille on Ninth Street

Mitch's Bar and Grille, situated at the heart of Ninth Street Shopping District, has recently replaced a long-time tenant Dogstar Tattoo, which has moved to its new Golden Belt location,  and is already attracting a consistent following of Duke students, neighborhood residents, and visitors to the area. Its owner, Mitch, previously operated Moe's in Rougemont. The Herald Sun quotes Jeff Thompson, the bar's manager, describing its offerings as" food done right, a little bit of comfort, definitely American[.]"

Carpe Durham has a detailed review here, the still few Yelp ratings have been mixed but trend positive.

Durham Cycles - a new bike shop on Ninth Street

Ninth Street has recently welcomed a second bike shop in just a few months (on the heels of Tip Top Cycles). Located at 756 Ninth Street in a space previously occupied by a comic shop, Durham Cycles markets itself a bike repair/fitting studio and features a minimalist clean logo and interior. Check out their (still in development) website and facebook page.