William Boyce ’15 | Staff Writer

Better late than never.

The empty lot in The Village, where Hickey’s and Bellissima used to be located, is being transformed into an upscale French restaurant called Marias (pronounced Muh-ray) , to open in the fall.

“It will be nice to have a new addition to The Village with a different taste of food,” said Elyse Beach ’14.

Perpeuta Properties LCC, the owners of Marais, had a site plan approved to construct the restaurant on the Northwest corner of Kercheval and St. Clair that would take up the current addresses of 17047-51 Kercheval.

“I think it will draw a lot more people to visit The Village,” said City Manager Peter Dame. “The restaurant will be a great addition to The Village.”

The approved site plan includes the lot along with 390 square feet of outdoor seating in the Kressbach place, where the fountains are located. The outdoor seating will accommodate four, two person tables.

The indoor portion of the restaurant is 3,700 square feet, and includes 80 dining seats, 26 bar seats, a private dining room and a wine cellar.

“The use (of the lot) will result in façade improvements, such as painted composite wall and trim along the front of the side façades, copper gas lanterns, attractive signage and a visually appealing and welcoming patio,” said McKenna Associates in the site proposal. “The proposed use will result in a significant investment for this high visibility corner in the Village and a great addition to the mix of uses in the Village.”

Some of the trees and bushes along the building in the Kressbach place will have to be relocated to make room for outdoor seating, but the columned archway entrance of the Kressbach place will remain.

“It’s going to be a great place to take a girl on a romantic date,” said Connor Mallegg ’15. “My treat, of course.”