Proposal for Gourmet Cafe and Wine Bar Heads to Planning Commission

MCW Ventures, which is owned by Prince Street resident Michael Morehouse, is asking the city’s permission to open and operate Half Full, a gourmet café and wine bar in Old Town.
 
The endeavor would be located at 108 N. Columbus St. in about 2,000 square feet with 93 seats, including outside seating. The location is between Cameron and King streets, about a block and a half from .
 
Half Full plans to serve “fresh, organic and humane” ingredients in personal pan pizzas, salads, charcuteries and sweets, along with alcoholic beverages, according to an application filed with the city. It would offer table and bar service as well as carryout. Half Full does not plan to host any live entertainment.
 
“We are very excited to bring this type of dining venue to this area of Old Town, as it will attract visitors, tourists, employees from nearby streets, the courthouse lunch patrons, as well as the local residents,” says the application.
 
The applicant expects that the restaurant will serve approximately 200 to 300 patrons, although he not specify during which time period. Morehouse also intends to employ about 20 staffers on a full- or part-time basis.
 
The restaurant, which would close before midnight, does not offer any parking spaces for patrons. Delivery trucks would use a private driveway for loading related to the restaurant.
 
The application is expected to come before the Planning Commission on May 1.