PORT ORCHARD — The vacant downtown site of the former Port Orchard Pavilion on Bay Street finally has a new tenant.

Josephine’s Redeemed Boutique, now at 1961 Bay St. in the Annapolis area, has announced it plans to relocate to the new location at 701 Bay St. in March 2018. The business is owned and operated by South Kitsap resident Samantha Smith. The building was once occupied by Rio’s Skate Castle in the 1980s.

Smith is making the move to the high-visibility location because she believes it offers her business an opportunity to grow.

“The downtown district sees more than 11,000 cars a day,” Smith said. “We’re sensing a new energy with business owners and the city. The newly revised building ordinance pilot program and fast ferry plans give us confidence that a greater, more active population is heading this direction.”

To be renamed Josephine’s Mercantile, the store will feature one-of-a-kind vintage goods, interior design accessories and original fixtures and furniture fabricated by Josh Smith of Smith Metal Works and other local artisans, Smith said.

Cafe to share space

Also debuting at the downtown location next March will be Pinch Cafe, which business owner Stacey Hayter described as a midday dining destination featuring homemade soups, seasonal salads and “creative forkless foods crafted to eat in-house or grab on the go,” she said.

Hayter is a graduate of the Art Institute of Seattle culinary program. She also studied in Tuscany, Italy and has more than 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry.

“We’re going to keep it simple with a high-end food truck mentality — only indoors,” Hayter said. “The environment will always be congenial and the menu will be fresh, seasonal and convenient so there won’t be long waits. We’re going to bring some flavors to South Kitsap that are new and creative, yet will always have the foundation of comfort foods.”

The cafe owner said she will also provide catering and personal chef services for corporate and private functions prepared in their commercial kitchen. She said the cafe and mercantile space will be expandable and versatile so that they can accommodate community functions. Design, craft and cooking classes also will be offered to patrons.

Smith is a South Kitsap native and Hayter has been a McCormick Woods resident since 2000.