Race Street is a commercial corridor located northeast of downtown, off of North Sylvania Avenue. Perhaps best known to locals as the former home of a Fuzzy’s Taco Shop that generated a big downtown lunch rush, the street has undergone an evolution in the past few years.
Closings + openings
Within the last year, the business district underwent big changes with a few notable closures, including:
- Birria + ramen spot Calisience
- Seafood restaurant La Onda
- Concert venue The Post at River East
- Neutral Ground Brewing Company
One business owner on Race Street isn’t deterred by the closings, though.
“All those closures were sad, and you never want to see a business not succeed, each of those closures had a specific story around them. I don’t think it speaks to a narrative thread about the street itself,"said Aaron Lachtaw, the co-owner and operator of Race Street Coffee.
For all the Race Street businesses that reached their finish lines recently, nearly as many are still getting into the starting gate.
- Tropic Lady — opened in April from the same team behind South Main Village’s Bearded Lady
- KingYo Sushi and Ramen House set up shop in Feburary
- Low-sugar bakery Dough’d Up opened in late 2023
The future of Race Street
Chase Johnson, a commercial realtor for Northern Crain Realty, has four listings on and near Race Street, including the former Post at River East (2925 Race St.).
Johnson offered us a sneak peek at some businesses considering to set up shop at his properties along Race Street. For the former Post at River East location, there’s been interest from a fried chicken concept, a distillery, a hybrid music venue, a craft cocktail bar, and chef-centered fine dining.
“I definitely think the future of Race is bright,” said Lachtaw. “You have some businesses, like Born Late Records and Race Street Barber Shop, that have been here for over a decade. We’ll build even more community here and continue to be a destination.”
