The Ruth Jones Cottage - Historic Renovation & Reuse Project

• PROJECT LOCATION: 480 E. Ocean Avenue
• COMMENCEMENT: July 2007
• COMPLETION: October 2012
• DEVELOPER(s): Ocean Avenue Pride, LLC
• BBCRA DISTRICT: Downtown
• BBCRA FUNDING: 
  • ACQUISITION: $265,000
  • ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS: $70,000
  • DEVELOPER PRIVATE $ MATCH: $228,706

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

In July 2007, the BBCRA purchased the Ruth Jones Cottage located at 201 NE 1st Avenue. The property known as the historic Ruth Jones Cottage Project, was a 1920’s vernacular, 900 square foot single family wooden home, purchased, relocated, and completely renovated by the BBCRA for re-use as a 50-seat restaurant in May 2012. Once completed, the BBCRA issued an Request for Proposals to search for the first restaurant tenant. The Little House Café was selected and remained opened for approximately 18 months before closing. Sometime after its closing, the BBCRA received a Letter of Interest from a developer to acquire the vacant restaurant and find a new restaurant tenant.

Once under private ownership, additional improvements were made to the building including expansion and enclosure of the patio dining area, new roof, landscaping, and interior commercial kitchen upgrades. Construction commenced in the spring of 2017 and a Certificate of Occupancy was obtained in March 2018. Today, the building is home to Nicholson Muir Meats, a specialty butcher providing a modern interpretation o fa classic British butcher shop.