Tenants count weeks to Bauer opening
By Liz Monteiro, THE RECORD, Tuesday, May 05, 2009
WATERLOO
Lisa Littlefield has been waiting more than four years to launch her flower shop in a
new location in Waterloo.
And it looks as if she and several other businesses will finally be opening their doors this fall in the former Bauer building at King and Allen streets.
"It's going to be awesome in terms of business,'' said Littlefield, owner of Les Fleurs Floral Boutique, now in downtown Kitchener. (Duke:
wise business decision on the move!)
The 15-storey, 151-residential-unit tower, known as the Bauer Lofts, is already up and
tenants have received notice from Laurence Developments that occupancy is to start July 1.
Coun. Mark Whaley bought a unit in the building.
"I'm so delighted to be involved in something iconic that brings retail and living spaces together," he said. "It's a mini-village."
The developer, Peter Schwartz, could not be reached for comment.
The property will be a mixed-use complex of condos, offices, retail stores and restaurants.
Estimated at $50-million in 2007, the project has had its share of delays. Among them, soil contamination from the site's industrial past.
The original Bauer building, which dates back to the 1880s, is being restored and will house retail businesses and offices.
Brad Galway, co-owner of
Caesar's Closet, a women's and men's clothing store in Cambridge, will open a second location in the old Bauer building.
"We are excited. We can't wait,'' said Galway, whose storefront will face King Street.
The store, which sells clothes ranging from denim to evening wear, will have 2,600 square feet. The Cambridge store opened in 1996.
"We are trying to fill a void by bringing the brands and looks that we offer to Waterloo,'' Galway said. "The building project is a cool new concept."
He hopes to take possession on July 15 and begin setting up the store.
A hair salon and spa will also be in the Bauer building.
Carmen Caccioppoli, co-owner of Vincenzo's food store on Belmont Avenue, plans a September opening in the four-storey building going up at Allen and Caroline streets.
The new location will triple the size of the popular food store. About 150 parking spaces will be available.
"I get asked every day, several times a day, when we're moving,'' he said.
Caccioppoli said the store will consolidate its current space, which includes a warehouse in Kitchener, at the new location.
Vincenzo's will also add a seafood market.
Charcoal Group of Restaurants, which has four restaurants in the region, will open its fifth in the Bauer project.
The 6,500-square-foot restaurant with 270 seats will face a courtyard between the two buildings on Allen Street, co-owner Tim Wideman said.
Managing partner Jody Palubiski said the Bauer Kitchen will feature an urban setting inspired by restaurants in Soho and Tribeca in New York City.
"The decor will be industrial, with funky lighting and an urban warehouse esthetic,'' he said.
Palubiski said the restaurant will likely open in early October.
http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/531760
Photo by Mathew McCarthy
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