El Guadalajara was recently in the news because they were required to install a sprinkler system in the building due to new nightclub laws but hadn’t done so yet. The Stadium District location has a dance floor in the bar portion of the building.

UPDATE: It appears El Guadalajara may be going into the back section of the building where Neighborhood Market is located.

I am happy to hear that apartments have been added to this project. About a year ago I saw an ad on Craigslist from O’Connor & Associates advertising lease space in a proposed 2 story medical building at the site.  This new building will be another gateway building to the growing McCarver Neighborhood.

Now does anybody know what is going on with the retail space? It almost looks like it is going to be all storage units. You can see a lot of metal wall forms, very close together in the retail space when you drive by.

Last reported on The Biz Buzz in December 2007 : Second Prium Condo Project Goes Rental

Chelsea Heights Apartments

603 South J Street

Tacoma, WA 98405

253-383-3181

(image from Google Maps)

From the looks of the purchase price it appears the property was bought for it’s “land value”.  I think the prospect of a  future development are pretty good considering the land value purchase and the owner’s portfolios.  What would you like to see built at this location? Mixed-use with apartments/condos?  Office space with retail similar to Poole’s Corner down the street at Union Ave.? My vote?  Mixed-use with apartments and retail. The 6th Ave. area hasn’t seen much in the way of new residential structures in the past few years.  With UPS a few blocks away and the popular 6th Ave. corridor right there, I think it would be a great spot for that kind of development.

From the website:

Not a fan of stress breakouts? (Stress raises your level of cortisol, which can affect oil glands and acne.) You may want to avoid Tacoma like the plague, because — along with 21 tanning salons per capita and a high incidence of skin cancer according to the Center for Disease Control — it is the most stressed-out city in our country. (Tacomans may find some relief from these top-rated acne-fighting products.)

So once the most stressed, always the most stressed? Where is my Oil of Olay? Want great skin? You better move to Eugene, OR. They are the closest city to Tacoma to rank on the Best Skin list (#13).

Full List of Best & Worst Skin HERE

The new lunch menu will include: fresh fish Cuban sandwich, Asado cobb salad with smoked mahi and prawns, quinoa bowls with choice of protein, and combos of skewers or sliders and choice of salad.

Can you picture yourself on a nice sunny day having lunch on Asado’s patio? I can!

Asado

2810 6th Ave.

Tacoma, WA 98406

Haub now owns the properties highlighted in red:

The two parcels are key in Haub’s plan for a large highrise development on the site and possibly a new headquarters for Russell Investsments. The City of Tacoma and Haub recently started environmental cleanup and monitoring of the  Haub properties and the former Sauro drycleaner site across the street.

Russell HQ proposal:

See the press release after the jump:

Roxanne Murphy announces candidacy for Tacoma City Council, District 4

For Immediate Release
April 23, 2009

Progressive Eastside leader seeks to revitalize Tacoma’s District 4

Roxanne Murphy, a dedicated Eastside community leader, has officially filed for and is proud to announce her candidacy to revitalize Tacoma’s District 4 and diversify the Tacoma City Council. Rick Talbert currently holds the District 4 seat and his term will end this year.

Roxanne’s plans for revitalizing the District 4 include ridding the streets of blight and crime; launching initiatives and setting policies that will improve the quality of life within the district and Tacoma; while creating lasting partnerships between the community and the City of Tacoma.

Roxanne is a 33-year-old member of the Nooksack Tribe (which is located in Whatcom County). Her involvement within the District 4 has encompassed serving as a board member of the Eastside Neighborhood Council; secretary and treasurer of the DomeTop Neighborhood Alliance; and volunteering for the McKinley Hill Business District’s festivals and supporting its merchants. Most recently, Roxanne launched a Web site with helpful tips on ways to reduce crime and blight within the Eastside, www.endeastsidecrime.com.

Roxanne knows Tacoma’s government and this city from inside and out after serving as a Community Relations Specialist for the City of Tacoma. She was named as the 2008 Best City of Tacoma Employee by the Tacoma Weekly, and she’s also a member of the Business Examiner’s 2008 40 Under 40 class, which highlights the top Pierce County community and business leaders under the age of 40. Roxanne has also been a leader in the private industry through her experiences at The Weyerhaeuser Company where she was a member of their Highly-Promising Minority group.

Roxanne is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration at The Evergreen State College and is set to graduate in May of 2010.

A Web site containing more information about Roxanne’s progressive approach to government will soon follow. Until then, for more information, e-mail electroxanne@hotmail.com .

Q&A with the owners after the jump:

Here is the juicy Q&A with the owners Danielle and Mike Kartes:

Q: How did you get the name Minoela? What does it mean?

A: Minoela is my variation of the word mineola. It is a type of orange! I wanted something a bit easier for people to say! This very special type of Tangelo orange is bright, juicy, and fresh. When I think of citrus it just makes me happy.  It’s exactly the kind of place we aim to be. Bright, welcoming, and fresh.

Q: Has the lease been finalized?

A: Hahaha Yes!

Q: In our last correspondence you said your new establishment will be a Bistro Wine House. Will you sell wine for off-site consumption as well as on-site?

A: On-site and off-site as well. I want our patrons to be able to pick up a few fabulous bottles they have tried at our wine house and perhaps bring them to a party or stop on their way home from work to relax at home for the evening.

Q: What kind of food do you plan to serve and at what price points?

A: We want to support local organic sustainable business, so we aim for fresh season appetizers and meals, and fresh breads.  Not to heavy but defiantly not leaving you wanting more.  Desserts are bing in my book so we will have THE best in homemade cakes, cookies and ooey gooey goodness.  Our price points will be fair.  In this economy we want to keep everything on the menu under 11 bucks! With a great Happy Hour!!! Happy hours drive the restaurant biz these days.

Q: Many people are familiar with layout of the former One Heart Cafe, will you make any changes to the interior layout?

A: You will just have to wait and see.. wink wink. It’s going to be just beautiful.

Q:  What look are you going for in the interior of the space?

A:  Vintage meets comfortable. We want a new fresh approach to the average wine bar.  We want people to fee comfy and happy while in Minoela, so you won’t see any super bright colors or depressing artwork.

Q: What hours do you think you will be open?

A: Thursday through Sunday as of right now. Depending on business we will add the other three days of the week as well.

Q: Is this your first venture into the restaurant business?

A: Yes and no.  I have been wrapped up in the restaurant biz for a few years and it is definitely not my first business project but it will be the first wine house/bistro.

Q:  And lastly, tell me more about your husband and yourself?

A:  I like the color green and I love cheese.  I’m not a fan of itchy sweaters and I like the ocean. Home grown tomatos taste better than store bought.  I like wood paneled jeeps though I don’t own one!

I am a makeup artist and I primarily have worked in LA and Seattle but Tacoma/Puyallup is my home and where I have lived my entire life.  We decided it’s time to open this place I have been thinking about for years! My husband is a writer. We are the best of friends.  We are very involved in the community and we want a place that gives back.  We hope to supprot the local economy by creating jobs and getting as many of our supplies from other locals.

Well there you have it!  Look for Minoela to open soon at 604 Fawcett Ave.