Talk of the Point

Hidden City Cafe owner Shellie Bourgault has finally committed to jumping over the square into Mark Howe’s restored Bank of Richmond building.

In April she notified Howe that she was interested in the entire ground floor. On July 17, she signed the lease (and released TOTP from April’s embargo).

The big move should come in about six months, she says. The new Hidden City will be about the same size. Later, she plans to add a cooking school with the help of a partner, probably a fellow alumna of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco.

Next: raising capital. How much? There’s nothing but a dirt floor now, and though Howe will take care of many “tenant improvements” Shellie’s still on the hook for tons of pricey stainless steel fixtures, permits, etc. She says $100,000, but others who’ve made similar moves foresee at least twice that amount.

Who will fill her old space? Andrew Butt, who’s presumably on the inside, says a Subway franchise–much rumored a couple of months ago–is “unlikely.” I hear whispers of more creative ideas.

• “S train will not stop at Bank of Richmond building,” Talk of the Point, April 4

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