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Home > Blogs > Taste: Dayton food and restaurants > Archives > 2009 > May > 26 > Entry
Coco’s Bistro preparing to move to new location
Coco’s Bistro will move from 515 Wayne Ave. to a new location in the 200 block of Warren Street near Brown Street, co-owner Karen Wick said this morning, May 26.
Wick and her husband and Coco’s co-owner Jim Gagnet have purchased three buildings at 234, 236 and 238 Warren St. and have begun renovations, Wick said. The soonest any move could happen would be four or five months, but Wick said the process may take longer and will occur only after the existing Coco’s is sold. She said she is looking for the right buyer who will continue to operate a restaurant from the Wayne Avenue location.
The new restaurant will not expand by much — the existing Coco’s seats 80 to 90 diners, and the new restaurant will serve 90 to 100 — but it will have a private dining area that can be used for receptions and special dinners that will seat an additional 80 people, as well as about 120 dedicated parking spaces, up from about 40 now, Wick said. In addition, the new Coco’s have a larger bar with its own menu that will stay open later than the restaurant, Wick said. The lack of a private dining area, parking and a separate bar are weaknesses of the current location, she said.
In addition to the restaurant and bar, Coco’s will open a free-standing drive-through coffee shop and take-out facility to be called Hector’s Bodega, named after the couple’s 11-year-old son. Wick and Gagnet are still working on the take-out facility’s menu, but it will likely offer coffee, pastries, gourmet pizza, rotisserie meats and salads, Wick said.
The 234 Warren St. building housed M.D. Larkin. The new Coco’s will be located across the street and caddy-corner from Benham’s Catering and Restaurant, 209 Warren St., in a corridor that acts as a “main gateway” between downtown Dayton and Miami Valley Hospital and the University of Dayton, Wick said.
“I think it will open the doors to more development in the area,” Wick said. “It’s exciting.”
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment | Categories: Local restaurant news
Comments
By More space
May 28, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this
Read the article. They’re moving because the new location gives them a private dining area, bar and more parking. I’d say those are fairly important for a restaurant to survive. The benefits are too great to pass up. A couple streets over won’t hurt you.By kmd
May 28, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ? YOU HAVE A VERY FINE ESTABLISHMENT AT YOUR CURRENT PLACE, YOU HAVE WORKED SO HARD IN MAKING IT WHAT IT IS TODAY, WHY MESS WITH PERFECTION? YOU DRESSED UP WAYNE STREET.By B
May 27, 2009 10:18 PM | Link to this
Why move from the location they are at now, which they took something like a year to renovate, to Warren St? Benhams isn’t even open all the time, so why do they think they’ll get better traffic?By Washington Township
May 27, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this
And here I thought they were going to tear down that neighborhood. Well! Suprise, Suprise.By David Esrati
May 27, 2009 2:14 PM | Link to this
And not that long ago Fifth and Wayne was called “Filth and Wine.” When Jim Gagnet does a project- he does it right. I don’t think anyone has to worry- except about getting a reservation when the new place opens. Great food, great service- how is this any different than what Jay Haverstick, RIP, did? And, for all of you who think you can run a restaurant- Coco’s old building is available. Proven location, 3 year old everything- parking and even the Theater Guild opening across the street. Get your checkbook out. Great opportunity. And, South Park is alive and well. Cliburn Manor is gone- and we may have other tricks up our sleeves. Watch and see.By Rooster
May 27, 2009 8:10 AM | Link to this
Coco’s will do a great business. You will see the area behind Coco’s revitalized. South Park has over 700 structures. Rome was not built in a day. Lead, follow or get out of the way. There is no room for cry babies on the South Park express.By Rooster
May 27, 2009 7:59 AM | Link to this
I lived on Burns for a year. I know about all the past concerns of Warren Steet and South Park. But, there is great and positive changes blowing in the wind.By Monceberger
May 27, 2009 6:00 AM | Link to this
I hope the new location works out for them. I used to live on Lincoln Street, which is about 2 blocks from where the new site will be, and I hope that the owners bought a penicillian bomb bigger enough to cleanse the neighborhood of all the vermion that still reside there. Now maybe the police will finally patrol the area. Warren street should be more than what it was in the past. A gathering of crackheads, rednecks and illegal aliens.By tg
May 26, 2009 10:58 PM | Link to this
We drive in from B’Creek all the time, so the new location won’t be a problem. I say Kudos to Jim & Karen for their vision. Warren Street will be hot in the future.By z
May 26, 2009 7:38 PM | Link to this
what? i can’t hear you, there’s a helicopter flying over and a fire truck driving by.By Ann
May 26, 2009 6:31 PM | Link to this
Less convenient and longer walk for Oregon District, South Park, and Downtown residents which I think is unfortunate. I don’t think MVH will make up for neighborhood dining.By Foodie
May 26, 2009 6:05 PM | Link to this
We’ll be standing in line when Coco’s new location opens. Enjoyed a great family gathering and meal at Benham’s lately and are planning to stop in at the Hickory BBQ place next. We do miss the old Walnut Hills watering spot. We enjoy the city and all its offerings. Signed: -Not an employee -Not a relative -No special connection to Coco’s, DDN, or City of Dayton. -Not wary of Dayton or its citizens. -No foodie was coerced in the making of these comments. :-)By McRib
May 26, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this
Mark Fisher should change his name to Mar “the Carp”! A worthless bottom feeder.By South Park Blight
May 26, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this
Well, if you can clean up the area, it’ll work. But I think this is the equivalent of throwing a million dollars down the toilet. The crackheads and alkies from “Target Dayton”, “Gospel Mission”, etc. still hang out in that area. Who wants to be acosted by these bums when coming out of the establishment? That whole South Park area is pretty much the Skid Row of Dayton anyhow. Demolish the whole block before making asinine proposals imhoBy Rob
May 26, 2009 3:58 PM | Link to this
Wow, all the Coco’s employees have chimed in now! Seriously, good luck in the new location. Actually, it seems like a natural fit and a slam dunk for Coco’s.By null
May 26, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this
This is good news for that area and Coco’s. I hope you get rid of those appartments next to you, they really are becoming a haven for undesirables and an overall eyesore.By Ritch&Tina
May 26, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this
Bon Appét*t We love this place, the service, the food, the owners! All tip-topBy DP
May 26, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this
What a great restaurant!By Rex
May 26, 2009 12:27 PM | Link to this
Benham’s has been in business this long, so hopefully that will carry over to Coco’s and their wonderful food.By KJM
May 26, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this
Big changes coming to Warren St. This will also be beneficial for Benham’s.By Foodie
May 26, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this
Great news! We look forward to continuing our visits to Coco’s Bistro at existing and new locations.