Dorothy’s Downtown is just a few city signatures from being able to open.
The target date for opening is May 1, co-owner Jorge Gonzalez said April 22 at the restaurant in the former Burrito Gallery space at 21 E. Adams St., where remodeling is nearly completed.
What had been the front entrance is now one of two indoor dining spaces. The exposed kitchen and front counter are hidden by a large wooden piece of art. That theme runs throughout the restaurant.
Seats are low and comfortable, banquette seating lines the walls of both dining rooms.
The bar, now smaller and topped with marble, creates space for seating by the patio door.
The previously nondescript patio now has a floral mural painted on one wall and serves as a third dining space. Colorful awnings shield customers from the sun.
The inspiration was the ownership group’s first restaurant, The District SPR at 2026 Walnut St. in Springfield. It has ample outdoor dining space that serves as that restaurant’s main attraction, Gonzalez said.
The group was eager to create a similar atmosphere in a more central location.
“The District is in the middle of nowhere,” he said.
“That was part of the magic. We like this spot because of all of the activity at The Elbow (on nearby Bay Street).”
The Elbow comprises more than 20 bars, restaurants and performance venues around the nearby historic Florida Theatre.
In addition to Gonzalez, the ownership group of both restaurants comprises Felicia Lake, Ashley McCaskey and Jim Broy.
It cost about $250,000 to remodel the interior and re-equip the kitchen. They saved money by using the same kitchen footprint.
Joe Markusic of Glory Homes in Jacksonville is the contractor. Co-owner Lake is the interior designer.
Dorothy’s Downtown Chef Marvin Barnes is from New Orleans and the restaurant will serve Creole-inspired cuisine.
The full-service restaurant will initially be open for dinner from 3 to 10 p.m. daily. It will later add lunch and brunch.
Dinner prices will probably range from $18 to $53, which would be the rack of elk, Gonzalez said.
The menu may be fluid depending on ingredient prices.
Dorothy’s Downtown will have full liquor service and the daily happy hour is scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. There will also be an upscale cocktail program. The wine list will have about 40 bottles with several served by the glass.
Gonzalez estimated capacity would be 140 and there would be 32 employees.
Reservations can be made via Yelp for parties of up to eight. Larger groups can use the dorothysdowntown.com website to reserve an accommodating space.
Their social media of choice is Instagram, Gonzalez said. The District’s Instagram pages have 25,000 followers.
The Downtown Investment Authority board approved a $173,055 incentive package Sept. 18 for Dorothy’s Downtown.
The incentives comprise a five-year, $167,380 Food and Beverage Retail Enhancement Program forgivable loan and a $5,675 Sidewalk Enhancement grant.
A term sheet included in the packet said the applicants plan to spend $353,167 to build-out the Dorothy’s Downtown space, plus $7,094 to create sidewalk dining space.