Business & Tech

Casa Tina to Expand into Neighboring Antique Mall

Casa Tina Fresh, Healthy, Authentic Mexican restaurant in downtown Dunedin is about to get bigger.

Everyone’s favorite Mexican restaurant downtown is about to get bigger. 

Owners of Casa Tina Fresh, Healthy, Authentic Mexicana popular downtown fixture, were not necessarily looking to expand into the Antique Mall of Dunedin, but when opportunity knocked, Tina Marie Avila and her husband Javier answered.

The restaurant was beginning to outgrow its Main Street location, Tina Avila said. And when presented with the opportunity to lease space being sold by their adjoining neighbors to the west, the Avilas knew they had to make an offer. 

The couple's lease on the antique store space begins Sept. 1, and they have big renovation plans. 

“It’ll be what Casa Tina is now, but more functional,” Avila said, and have better flow.

She said she’ll be working with a contractor transform the antique store's space at 357 Main St., into more waiting space for patrons, a bigger bar, a new to-go and extra kitchen prep space. Avila said they’ll also pay homage to the antique store's past life as a theater. They have plans for a stage area where Casa Tina can offer occasional entertainment such as flamenco dancers, Spanish guitar and mariachi.

Avila said renovation plans could take a two or more months.

The couple also owns Pan Y Vino, a brick oven pizza and a wine bar, which is situated on the opposite adjoining wall of Casa Tina at 369 Main St. 

The renovation announcement comes on the heels of the Avilas plans for renovating the Boxcar and re-opening it as the Orange Crate Cafe, an organic, fresh food and beverage collaboration with Dunedin Harvest.


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