FALL RIVER – A new vegetarian cafe bakery and sandwich cafe is proposing to open in a former chiropractor office at 268 Highland Ave., across from Charlton Memorial Hospital.
The Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday approved a variance to change the use of the location.
Lisa Normandin, the potential buyer, told the board she’d operate the cafe on the first floor and reside on the second level.
Normandin, a first-grade teacher at Spencer Borden School, told The Herald News she has an extensive background in food service, including 14 years at Partners Village Store in Westport.
She said she'd like to serve a vegetarian menu with gluten-free and vegan options.
"It's exciting," Normandin said. "I've always kind of wanted to open my own place."
Normandin said she'd like to name the shop, Sweet Rose Cafe, for her mother, but that needs to be ironed out before she can proceed.
Atty. Jeffrey P. Medeiros, representing Normandin, said she’d utilize the parking lot for 10 to 12 vehicles, and will seat 25 to 30 customers inside. Normandin would like to use the front porch that measures 8 by 27 feet for some outdoor seating.
Medeiros said the exterior sign will be non-lit and of the same size as the current sign. A ramp will be added to make the building accessible to everyone. There will likely be one unisex bathroom inside.
Hours of operation will be Monday to Friday 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The property, listed at $299,900, is currently owned by Dr. Richard Cote, also the owner of Highland Optical at 302 Highland Ave., and another property in the neighborhood at 323 French St., formerly a hair salon.
The building dates to roughly 1889. In more recent years, it has been used as a dental office and real estate office before becoming a chiropractor’s office in 2007, until it closed about a year ago.
Normandin said she plans to open the cafe in July or August of this year.
Email Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com