Business Changes in Fountain District

Fountain District maintains some history while experiencing business changes and plans for an Urban Village are underway.

Business Changes in Fountain District

The Fountain District has seen a lot of business swapping over the years and changes continue to be made. However, through the shuffle some long-term family owned businesses remain, such as Griffith Furniture, which opened 71 years ago.

“A lot of things come and go. The restaurant across the street changed hands four or five times in the last 30 years,” owner of Griffith Furniture Steve Griffith said. “But we’re getting some good new businesses in the neighborhood.”

Recent additions include three food service businesses; Supreme Bean Coffee Café, The Fountain Coffee and Wine Bistro, and Diamond Jim’s Grill. All of them agree that business has been good in the area and the community has been welcoming.

Diamond Jim’s Grill At New Location

Diamond Jim’s Grill opened most recently, on April 15. The restaurant has been an established business for about twelve years, Diamond Jim’s Grill owner Jim Green said, but he was forced to leave the original location in Sunnyland due to road construction.

The Fountain District location, formerly Speak E-Z’s BBQ, is larger than the original location. As early as summer or as late as the end of the year Green hopes to take advantage of the size difference to extend business hours and expand the menu to include dinner.

Urban Village Planning Fitting for Fountain District

Fountain District businesses tend to be unique, both old and new. This allows them to complement one another rather than compete with one another, Green said.

In addition to the range of complementary businesses, the location of the Fountain District between the Columbia, Cornwall, and Lettered Streets neighborhoods is ideal for the city’s Urban Village plan, Green said. The main idea of the Urban Villages is to make a variety of services accessible to people without the need to drive.