Renaissance Art Cafe third business set for Front Street Market

ALBANY — In the last of what was a whirlwind three-day series of announcements concerning the future development of Albany’s downtown district, interim Downtown Manager Jackie Teemer announced Saturday that the Renaissance Art Cafe will occupy the city-owned space at 123 N. Front St.

The art cafe, established in 2007 by visual and graphic artist Femi Anderson, joins Kayak Attack Adventures and the Flint Riverkeeper nonprofit as new tenants in the city’s so-called Front Street Market district.

The Front Street Market, comprising properties along Front Street and Pine Avenue, is the primary initial focus of the city of Albany’s redevelopment efforts in its Central Business District. Kayak Attack and Flint Riverkeeper are closely associated with waterways that include the adjacent Flint River, while Renaissance Art Cafe will provide art, graphics and consulting services.

The art cafe also features a “paint and sip” service known as the “Let’s Paint and Party Art Experience.” The venue is expected to be a gathering place for artists and entertainers as well as a tourist stop.

Anderson, along with her twin sister, Bummi Anderson, have long promoted art and entertainment events in the community. On Friday, the Andersons brought renowned jazz guitarist — and Albany native — Russell Malone to the Albany Municipal Auditorium for a concert.

The three downtown businesses join the Pretoria Fields craft brewery, the Albany Museum of Art and the Flats @ 249 mixed-use residential development as high-profile elements of the ongoing renovation of downtown Albany. Kayak Attack will occupy the storefront at 127 Front St., while Flint Riverkeeper will locate at 102 Pine Ave.

Messages left with Femi Anderson seeking comment Sunday were not returned by The Herald’s press time.