Construction Update in the Heights - Lo-Fi, Choc-O-Pain, & More

As more and more development takes place in the Heights and more residents flock to the neighborhood, the rate of opening for new bars, restaurants, and food options is steadily increasing. Three downtown businesses are opening new locations, several new spots are opening up, and some long-time Heights businesses are also expanding.

Most recently, The Cliff - a European-inspired and vegan-friendly cafe, and Pampita Meat Shop, an Argentinian butcher shop, opened their doors, but there's a lot more to come. 

Low Fidelity, known as Lo-Fi, is a new bar and restaurant being created with help from the team behind the Archer. Located at 328 Palisdae Ave in the former Trolley Car Bar space, the bar will feature several craft breweries on tap along with a specialized cocktail list and they're hoping to make as much use out of the backyard as possible. There's been a lot of progress in a relatively short time, most recently with awnings going up, and the owners are aiming for a June opening. 

Also soon to open on Palisade Ave, right next to Lo-Fi at 330-332 Palisade, is the newest location of Choc-O-Pain. This location will serve as their commissary and primary baking facility, supplying their other locations and will also have a retail storefront and cafe, offering their fresh-baked bread, pastries, sandwiches (including vegan options) and more. The space has undergone a huge amount of renovation and there have been several delays, but now they're getting very close to the finishing line. The awnings went up last week and they're also aiming for a June open. 

On Central Avenue, there's even more to come. Downtown favorite Cocoa Bakery will be taking over the former Goehrig's Bakery which unexpectedly closed almost three years ago and has remained empty since. Right now, the hope is to open the new bakery space sometime this fall, but there is no definite opening date. 

For those looking for even more baked goods, La Unica Bakery is moving into 454 Central Ave into a former formal-wear shop. An expansion of the Union City location, La Unica is known for their Cafe Con Leche, freshly-baked bread, and cuban sandwiches. There is no estimated date of opening, but considering they're changing from a retail shop to a bakery and based on the level of progress right now, I'd say it will be some time before we see it open.

Further south at 380 Central Ave, Gino's Pizza started construction on a new bar area and should have it up and running within the next several weeks. They remain open and are allowing full service in the meantime. 

Also performing an expansion is Renato's Pizza Maters at 278 Central Ave which will now include 274-275 Central Ave. They currently have both a sit-down dine-in area as well as a casual pick-up space, but they've taken the extra space to further build out their dine-in space, adding room for at least 50+ more diners. The expansion is anticipated to open later this year, hopefully by fall.

There are also plans for at least two more restaurants, a cafe, and another pizza place currently in the works to be opened within the next two years. Stay tuned for more definite dates as the openings get closer and further details on what else is to come!