Capitol Hill’s Fogón food and drink family is expanding with a neighboring new El Lugar Bodega Bar project that will mix the paleta flavors of a cocktail bar with a small Mexican grocery in the middle of Pike/Pine.

“We wanted something a little different from Fogón and La Josie’s from the get-go,” Nina Maldonado tells CHS. “A (very) mini version of a Mexican market to include Mexican arts/goods, groceries, a bar and some small bites.”

Maldonado is bringing her experience in retail to the project currently under construction in the former Oasis bubble tea shop space next door to E Pine’s Fogon. There was hope that Fogon customers could enter the new bodega and bar through the restaurant but the space is currently being planned as a separate entrance along the block between Belmont and Boylston.

Maldonado says El Lugar will combine the restaurant industry experience of Fogon’s Noel Cortez with his desire to bring a Mexican grocery store like his parents’ to the Hill.

“He grew up working around his parents’ store and would love to have something like that here on the hill,” Maldonado said. El Lugar will have space for goods from Mexico and works from local artists “while devising some tasty bites and cocktails for all to enjoy,” she said.

El Lugar will feature tortas on bread from Cortez’s parents’ Pueblo Viejo grocery and bakery in Monroe, pan dulce pop-ups, micheladas, birria bowls, and paleta cocktails with sweet watermelon, lime juice, tequila, and chile powder. And, of course, you’ll also be able to shop for a few things for home and gifts.

The bodega bar project is coming together as the block prepares to add another new grocery concept. “Packaging free” retailer The Naked Grocer is being prepared to open on the block in the former home of the Capitol Loans pawn shop. You can now find Capitol Loans — transformed into Capitol Loans Music — across the street.

It is also part of a pandemic-informed trend as Capitol Hill’s food and drink ventures are choosing new paths to remaining flexible — and profitable — through changing restrictions and habits. One direction is to diversify concepts and add a mix of restaurant, walk-up counter, and mercantile offerings. CHS reported on another Mexican-flavored take on theses changes in Pike/Pine at Mezcaleria Oaxaca and Mercado Luna earlier this year. The concepts aren’t limited to Mexican joints. CHS reported here on early planning around a new Pike/Pine project from Little Saigon’s Tamarind Tree also being lined up for E Pine.

Fogon opened on Capitol Hill in 2012 and quickly grew into a popular destination for Mexican standards in the busy mix of Pike/Pine’s growing restaurant and nightlife scene. In 2020, the restaurant expanded onto E Pike with La Josie’s, a bar-centered approach to Fogon’s food and drink mix and a tribute to Jose Ambriz who joined with his uncle Cortez in growing Fogon into a neighborhood mainstay. Ambriz passed away at the age of 35 in early 2019. Jose’s sister Amparo Ambriz joined Cortez as a partner in the new family business.

Now, the family is ready to expand with El Lugar. Maldonado says there is a lot to get done but there are hopes of being open in the transformed bubble tea space by June.

“We know it’s a lot we are trying to fit into a pretty small space but it’s coming along!” Maldonado says.

El Lugar will open later this year at 606 E Pine. You can learn more and keep track of updates at lugarbodegabar.com.

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