By John Dobberstein, Editor
A local espresso café is planning to expand in the Rose District with the help of incentives unanimously approved Tuesday by the Broken Arrow Economic Development Authority.
Rise Grind & Ride Espresso Café, owned by Randall Ryan, plans to move into a building at 224 S. Main St. that has been vacant for the last 4 years. The business will be re-branded as Wanderlust Roastery on one side and District Mercantile, a downtown market, on the other side.
The boarded-up building sits at the northwest corner of Dallas Street and Main, a prominent corner in downtown.
That space has been Lioness Coffee Roaster, and Spoke House Bicycles and Rattlesnake Café. On the building’s south side is the Centennial Mural, which celebrates Broken Arrow’s Centennial in 1902.
The business has been operating in the Rose District for the last 11 years, starting out at the Farmers Market before moving to 521 N. Main St. a few years ago.
The market will introduce a neighborhood market and deli offering grab-and-go food, everyday grocery essentials and locally sourced products.
The city said the business model also fills a critical gap in the downtown marketplace by providing nearby residents, employees and visitors convenient access to everyday necessities such as milk, bread, eggs, prepared foods and other essentials.
“The walkable retail experience supports the growing demand for an urban downtown lifestyle while reducing the need for additional vehicle trips,” city officials said. “This project presents an opportunity to transform a long-dormant building into a welcoming and vibrant center of commerce and community activity worthy of our award-winning downtown.”
Rise Grind & Ride submitted an incentive application with the city with a request to cost-share in the rehabilitation of the property, which includes renovating 2,200 square feet with a total capital investment of approximately $255,310. About $150,000 of the improvements would stay with the building.
City officials said the proposal was reviewed and determined eligible for an incentive based on the policy guidelines. After completion and renovations to the property, and the opening of the market, District Mercantile, the city will reimburse Rise Grind & Ride an amount not to exceed $80,000, according to the agreement between the city and Ryan.
This is intended to cover 100% of the city permitting and inspection fees associated with the project and up to 50% of the renovation of physical aspects of the commercial space.
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