If you’ve been to downtown Corpus Christi recently, you may have noticed some new businesses on Chaparral Street. Some have recently opened, and others will open their doors very soon.
In October of last year, the street was converted from a one-way to a two-way street. It features larger sidewalks for foot and bicycle traffic, new landscaping, and more parking for visitors.
Changes like this have helped pave the way for new businesses in the area.
“We started to see more traffic to this area,” said Jordan Michael, from the Downtown Management District. “Because of that, businesses are seeing that this is a place they should be.”
Fresco, a Mexican-style eatery on the corner of Chaparral and Peoples Streets, is scheduled to open its doors in the upcoming weeks.
Lucy’s Snack Bar, which is next to Executive Surf Club, opened about a month ago. The restaurant features a lighter fare menu, with snacks, coffee and beer and wine.
Right across the street sits a piano bar called Moonshine & Ale, which is scheduled to have a soft opening this week.
“We have 25 piano players that we fly in from all over the United States,” said owner Perry Thomson. “They know anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 songs by memory.”
Thomson is already an established businessman in New Braunfels, where he opened another piano bar 10 years ago. Now he says he couldn’t pass up the potential of downtown Corpus Christi and the opportunity to open a business on Chaparral Street.
“A piano bar is really good on a street with other bars and restaurants,” Thomson said. “People can come down and park in one area.”
Other parts of downtown are also seeing some new development.
Nueces Brewing Company on Water Street plans to open soon. There will also be a new Marriott Residence Inn, and the Frost Bank building on Shoreline which should open this summer.
The Ward Building on Chaparral is also being renovated to include apartments and retail stores.
