Possibly inspired by a hit song from 2024, a new cafe called Espresso is coming to 617 Canal St., according to permit filings with the City of New Orleans. The cafe will have a capacity of less than 50 people and will likely focus primarily on takeout. The ground floor is currently under a zoning review to switch it up like Nintendo and allow the space to become a restaurant. What Now New Orleans has reached out for additional information.
Plans for the new café come just as a study is underway to redevelop Canal Street. While the iconic street has a significant retail presence, officials are looking at redeveloping the street in light of retail purchases increasingly happening online. The study is expected to focus on the area of Canal Street around Claiborne Avenue.