The site of a former auto-repair business in Merion Village is being converted into a restaurant.
David Cattee, who owns the property at 1179 Jaeger St., is entertaining offers from several potential tenants but did not have a lease in place as of May 31.
The 1,650-square-foot space, the former home of Mid City Automotive Services, has been vacant since March 2017.
Cattee has owned the building since 1980. He said it has been his intention to create a full-service restaurant, not a bar, at the site.
"It is not going to be a beer joint, a beer garden," he said. "I do not want that."
The property recently received a parking variance, which essentially eliminates any on-site parking in return for a landscaped buffer.
Another variance will allow Cattee to build a 250-square-foot addition on the north side of the building.
He declined to speculate on an opening date.
"We've got a lot of work to do," he said, including building a professional kitchen, extensive remodeling and other infrastructure work.
The building currently has three bays, allowing the interior to open up to a future outdoor patio. Cattee said he would like at least two of the garage doors to be functioning but made with lighter, modern material.
"It's going to be a nice buildout," he said.
The property is located at the northwest corner of Jaeger and East Mithoff streets, roughly a block south of the intersection of Jaeger Street and Thurman Avenue, where there are several businesses, including Fox in the Snow Cafe and South Village Grille.
Allison Willford, president of the Merion Village Association, said there is excitement in the neighborhood that another restaurant is opening.
"I know we have some neighbors concerned about parking issues," Willford said.
Yet, the use should fit into the overall pedestrian-friendly nature of the community, she said.
Still, if parking issues for nearby residents occur, "we'll definitely help them address it," Willford said.
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