Circa 1857 buys land for future expansion; restaurant growing

Circa 1857, the Mid City art and antique store, has purchased some property nearby for a future expansion. The store paid $46,000 for a lot and part of two lots a block away from the store, says Sally Conklin, owner/manager. “We’re always looking to expand,” she says. The business had been using the land as parking for special events, such as White Light Night. One part of Circa that will be expanding soon is Yvette Marie’s Café, which will serve breakfast and dinner beginning in June. Conklin says owner David Bruno, who also owns the Mellow Mushroom, plans to expand Yvette Marie’s offerings beyond lunch. Plans are to triple the amount of existing seating in the café, Conklin says. Selling breakfast and dinner should be a good move, since there’s a shortage of restaurants between downtown and Mid City, Conklin says. Yvette Marie’s will open for the first time this Thursday night, as part of a third Thursday art show series at Circa.—Timothy Boone