It was almost two years ago that we first looked at a double-wide property on the corner of 18th & Wharton that formerly contained a medical office. Back then, we learned of a zoning application to renovate the building and build out a cafe/gallery/music venue in the first floor. By the fall of 2012, the exterior of the building had been renovated but the business was still absent. Finally, today, the Pharmacy has opened its doors.
We stopped by earlier today, and found a space with heaps of potential. The business definitely takes advantage of the double-wide space- you could probably fit sixty people in there comfortably. The business is divided in two, with tables in the front (closer to Wharton) and couches in the back. And there's still a ton of open space. The coffee bar is in the front, and the coffee comes from ReAnimator. The menu is on the small side at the moment, but will be growing in the coming weeks. Waffles are already on the menu, and we'll definitely be stopping by soon to sample some.
Point Breeze has seen an injection of new businesses in the last couple of years, with the American Sardine Bar, Breezy's Cafe, and OCF Coffee House all opening their doors. The Pharmacy represents a nice addition to this core of neighborhood businesses, and offers neighbors yet another local option. Hopefully, they'll have all the success in the world, and the space will become a gathering place for folks that come from the neighborhood and from outside. We'll keep an eye on this place, and will be sure to report on the quality of the waffles sometime soon.