What the Waffle is moving to a new location on the corner of Long Street, giving business owners hope more restaurants and businesses will begin to set up in the King Lincoln District.
Owner Gayle Troy said her love for brunch started when she, her husband and daughter would travel around the country and find brunch restaurants to dine.
She decided to get in on the action by starting What the Waffle in Olde Towne East. In 2018 she decided to move her business to the King Lincoln District.
“King Lincoln is a food desert,” Troy started. “There are no grocery stores, there is no place to get fresh produce or any kind of convenience for the community.”
Rickey Duckett, owner of E’Voluer Barber Studio agreed. His shop was the first of three businesses now set up at the corner of Long Street and Elijah Pierce Avenue.
“A lot of the businesses tried to come in the early 2000s, but we had a recession in ’08 and a lot of them ended up leaving,” Duckett said.
He is hoping the new restaurant will bring in more foot traffic and encourage others to bring their ideas to the area.
Owners there are also hoping construction on the corner by What the Waffle will allow more traffic to flow through the area.
What the Waffle will open to the public Saturday morning, August 1.