Construction is under way at what will be the new home of Zia Taqueria north, a building branded as “30th @ Main” by taco shop owner Tim Turner.
In addition to Zia Taqueria north, the 10,000-square-foot building will also house San Juan Smiles, the dental practice of Dr. Will Lacey, and EnVision EyeCare. Construction is expected to be complete in May 2020.
The three businesses “are very excited to make this move together, adding to the revitalization of the North Main District” Turner said.
San Juan Smiles and EnVision EyeCare will occupy the first and second floor of the north side of the building. The new Zia location will be on both floors of the south side of the building.
The lower level will include Zia’s kitchen, interior dining room and an exterior patio with seasonal seating. Zia’s upper level will include a private meeting room, an indoor/outdoor bar and an outdoor deck. This upper level will provide Zia with additional seating and space to host private parties and special events.
Turner said a pocket park will run along the southern property line. The park will include natural seating areas, gardens and local art installations.
“We are excited about the additional parking, seating and outdoor space that our new Zia location will provide to the North Main District as well as the opportunity to showcase a few new items and debut a breakfast menu,” Turner said.
Zia plans to transform its current location at 3101 Main Avenue into a new fast-casual concept featuring soups, salads and sandwiches.
Turner said the goal is to create a new concept that supports local farming and ranching by “showcasing local produce and meat while offering locals another option for simple, affordable, healthful meals.”
Turner said he has not yet come up with a name for the new restaurant.
The parking lot will be behind the new building and have 23 parking spaces, with an additional 10 on 30th Street beside the building that patrons and others can use.
Tim Walsworth, executive director of the Durango Business Improvement District, has said many people don’t know that the district representation includes businesses on north Main Avenue.
BID’s funding comes from a 2.0 mill levy on about 400 commercial properties downtown and on north Main Avenue.
BID is committed to augment marketing of the area, and after receiving abundant input on what to call the area, Walsworth said, BID has decided to stick with what locals now call the area, the “North Main District.”
BID has a new logo and URL that will be used to market the business corridor.
Walsworth said BID plans to roll out the logo and new marketing effort in mid-April during the second annual North Main Clean Day and the second annual The Main Event.
The new effort, Walsworth said, aims to reinforce the message that the North Main District offers unique shops and is “a place, rather than just something you drive through to get somewhere else.”
parmijo@durangoherald.com
