Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, Wexford Science & Technology and local restaurateur Claire Calvin today announced a new restaurant to be opened in the redeveloped Bailey Power Plant in January 2018.
Alma Mexicana will be an urban, modern iteration of Winston-Salem’s laid-back Tex-Mex spot The Porch, which opened in West End Mill Works in 2014. With a lunch menu featuring favorites such as rice bowls, tacos and salads, plus many new items, Alma Mexicana will provide fresh, fast counter service to the busy downtown lunch crowd.
In the evening, Alma Mexicana will dim the lights while the kitchen cooks up a seated, upscale sharing menu featuring ceviches, fresh guacamoles, inventive tacos and grilled meats. Bartenders will also be shaking hand-made margaritas and craft cocktails all day long.
The 2,000-square-foot, street-level restaurant will be located at Bailey Power Plant’s northeast corner at the crossroads of 5th Street and N. Patterson Avenue. The eatery will seat 50 inside, with an outside covered patio for up to 25 more diners. As with The Porch, Alma Mexicana will offer corporate and personal catering.
“We are beyond excited to have the opportunity to expand our Porch community into the Innovation Quarter,” said Claire Calvin. “We’ve been working on the plan for Alma for two years, so we’ve been watching the downtown scene become more vibrant with each passing month as new businesses and people move in. We can’t wait to open our doors and be part of it all.”
Alma Mexicana is the first restaurant announced for the main building of the Bailey Power Plant, which is undergoing redevelopment by Wexford Science & Technology. Tenants for the third, fourth and fifth floors are set to be announced shortly.
Once completed, the main building of the Bailey Power plant will comprise approximately 110,800 square feet space suitable for offices, entertainment, retail and meeting space. Outside of the main building Wexford is developing communal spaces to complement the vibrant Bailey Park across Patterson Avenue.
“Having such an exciting new restaurant at the heart of the Innovation Quarter will be much welcomed by our community of workers, residents and students,” said Eric Tomlinson, president of the Innovation Quarter. “Claire’s passion for combining great food and eclectic atmosphere is the perfect fit for Bailey Power Plant.”
