A familiar restaurateur plans new Canal District eatery
Photo | Timothy Doyle
An Italian restaurant is planned in a long vacant space on the first floor of the Union Station Garage in Worcester.
A local chef is planning a new restaurant for the ground level of the Union Station Garage on Franklin Street in Worcester.
Ednardo Cardoso, one of the owners of 2 Chefs Italian Restaurant and Bar on West Boylston Street in Worcester, is planning a new venture in the long-vacant retail space owned by the City of Worcester.
The new lease was reviewed and approved by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority at its Thursday meeting.
Cardoso, represented by Worcester law firm Bowditch & Dewey’s Mark Borenstein, appeared at the virtual meeting, said he is planning an Italian-style pub, and is considering the name Eddy’s Pub & Italian Restaurant.
The 8,000-square-foot space is divided into two sections: A 6,000-square-foot section will house the main restaurant space with 185 seats, and a 2,000-square-foot space will be for functions of up to 60-70 people.
Cardoso said he has financing lined up for the project, which will involve significant build out of the entirely raw space. He expects construction to begin about three months after execution of the lease, with completion five to six months later. He projects a late spring 2024 opening.
The letter of intent concerning the lease was approved 3-0 by the WRA with Chair Michael Angelini, who serves as senior counsel at Bowditch & Dewey, abstaining because of the involvement of Borenstein.
“This is a momentous occasion,” Worcester Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn said at the meeting. “It’s a long time coming, and we know about the challenges that the restaurant industry has faced during the pandemic; but I think we feel really excited about this opportunity.”
The City has been patient in finding a tenant for the space because it wanted a tenant with a use for the space that is engaging to pedestrians, Dunn said, rather than a first-floor office use, for example.
Because Cardoso is building out the space himself, he will pay a lower lease rate at $5 per square foot than if the WRA was required to build out the space and recoup its investment. The initial term for the proposed lease is 15 years, with two five-year options of extension.
Because of the buildout, Cardoso will not have to pay rent immediately. Rent payments will go into effect 30 days after occupancy or 12 months from execution of the lease.
Rafael Hernandez, founder of Worcester-based Acropolis Design Consultants, is the architect for the project.
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So exciting!!
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