Some of us still think of Cal Organics as Earth Song, but you know, the restaurant and health food store in the 7 Hills District of Nevada City. You've probably seen the signs on Broad Street in the old Broad Street Furnishings building that California Organics is coming, but when???
Chris Keysar, the owner, said today that the holdup is the money. He is actually getting economic stimulous funds, which evidently means "government bureaucracy." He has been working on it for more than a year, and one of the documents is 800 pages long!! And people have told him these funds are on a fast track! (Now you know why nothing happens.)
He now thinks maybe February 2010. He's demolishing the tin buildings on the far side of the parking lot and that will be free valet parking for customers. He will also have concierge service for groceries and possible a shuttle to parking lots in Nevada City. The bottom floor (below the Broad Street entrance, level w/ the parking lot in back) with be offices. The grocery store, with gifts, juice bar, coffee bar, etc. will be on the "main" floor -- what you see from Broad Street. The produce will be showcased in the middle of the store.
The upper floor will be the kitchen and restaurant, and he is installing elevators because the building isn't Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.
If you remember, the second floor is open to the third floor in the middle, so there will be abundant light as well as skylights.
It sounds like Chris is doing everything right, and I think his move to downtown is much anticipated!! We'll have to give him a warm welcome when he's finally in the new building.
Your description of the layout sounds similar to the layout of the Whole Foods grocer in Kensington London, except they use escalators between floors. It will be exciting to have an alternative restaurant/grocer in the area and I hope they can offer competitive pricing along with good customer service.
Posted by: Nina | October 18, 2009 at 08:50 AM