TOLEDO, Ohio — There's good news for Toledo's Historic Vistula District.
In Ostrich Towne, a new Mexican restaurant is hosting a soft opening the first weekend in September. Additionally, several new signs for businesses are up as work continues throughout the area.
Signature Associates broker Rob Keleghan said he's been living in Toledo for 10 years and sold his first property in the Vistula neighborhood.
"We're two blocks from downtown. We're across the street from the river. How do we not do this?" Keleghan said.
While Avestruz, the Mexican restaurant, is getting the finishing touches put on to be ready for the soft opening weekend, executive chef Aaron Lawson and business developer Matthew Medlin are working out some last minute details.
As they work, more work continues both in and outside, specifically in the alleyway. The goal is to add speakers, LED lights, projectors and more to give it a Fremont Street feel. The area is aimed at being its own destination where people and businesses can host events.
"We're combining culture, cuisine, and super high technology," Medlin said. "I think by doing that you're really driving the economic development on this side."
Both men said it's best to believe Toledo can hold the attention of people from bigger cities. The only way for growth is to try, Lawson said. He believes Toledo is, and can be, even more sought after for cuisine. The interest can be just as much as Toledo's bigger neighboring cities. Therefore, the upscale fusion and unique dishes Avestruz will serve make sense, said Lawson.
"You're going to see people that already come from Detroit to check places out here, just like we go to Detroit," Lawson said. "It's about supporting all those communities around. I think if we show them, 'Hey we have something really cool here,' it's just going to naturally bring people."
Avestruz won't be alone for long, said Restore 419 president and restaurant project manager, Joshua Shulz. Right across the alley from the Mexican restaurant will be Molly's Irish Pub and then Riverside Barbeque Company will open up around the corner. Also, don't forget CuriosiTEA Emporium across the street. Shulz said Ostrich Alleyway is coming together beautifully.
"Everything is coming together all at once," Shulz said. "Together we will prosper."
A lot of the foot traffic will be generated from the food and drink locations, but Keleghan said there's still room for more corporate businesses.
"You have Hansen Mueller which is an agribusiness. They just moved into their space on Summit Street," Keleghan said. "Restore 419 is coming. We have Huggelight, their candle company and Nemsys our anchor tenant."
The group agreed they were not concerned about the area's success, even though Golden Hind shut down earlier this year.
They said they're ready to try again because the Historic Vistula District is worth fighting for. In addition to the soft opening this weekend, there will be the Vistula Music Jazz Festival on Sept. 7 starting at 4 p.m.