Upon hearing that The Canvas Bar was opening on the 500 Block of Main Street, I was really excited – especially when I heard about the concept. As time went on, hope began to diminish when no apparent activity could be seen taking place. Then I heard that the deal was dead. While on our way to brunch at Empire today we passed something that looked remarkably familiar to the branding that I had seen for Canvas on Main Street. As the awning drew closer, and the printed letters became clear, I could suddenly read, “Canvas @ 1206”. On the window I found a couple of notices on the wall that read that Canvas @ 1206 would be a ‘vibrant bar, restaurant and music venue’.
The business sounds to be exactly what the 500-block concept was supposed to be. Cafe in the morning, catering to the business crowd at lunch and then becoming a ‘sassy’ bar at night. With live down-tempo music, a large patio, a modern interior redesign with facade opening onto the street (project rendering), and all-around swank bistro flare, Canvas @ 1206 looks like it’s going to add a lot to the Hertel streetscape while offering plenty of pizazz for customers looking for something new and different. As much as I’m bummed that this did not open downtown, I’m glad that the owners decided to stick with the plan somewhere else in the city. Canvas @ 1206 will open this September.