Through talking to an employee at 821 Cafe, I cobbled together the following information about businesses on the 800 block of West Cary Street, Oregon Hill’s commercial face, and it’s all exciting news.

The former storefront at 825 West Cary Street that once housed a barber shop many decades ago, but has been abandoned for some time is undergoing a total renovation. As of right now it has an earth floor and is a shell. It along with the house at 823 west Cary that sits behind a privacy fence will be incorporated into one large commercial space where 821 will move.

The portion in front of the soon to be former residency will become outdoor patio seating, as it is recessed from the sidewalk by 15 feet or so. Thus 821 will become 823-825. Confused yet? If not let me try harder.

After the move is complete a new restaurant will move into the existing 821. Lastly, Salvation Tattoo, which is currently in the former OHHIC office on the 300 block of south Pines is rumoured to be moving into the storefront at 819 west Cary that was last occupied by the Lotus Market Cafe close to a decade ago.

All of this does a lot to bolster the neighborhood’s desire to see more infill commercial along our northern border, and it should add a lot of street level activity. The timeframe for the completion of 823-825 is September.