Another beloved Austin establishment is confronting the realities of urban development. Cenote, an East Austin cafe known for its community presence and more than just lattes, is prepping to close its doors on East Cesar Chavez Street within the next nine months. Owners were caught off guard when they learned of their building's sale and planned transformation into a California-based chain restaurant, according to a report from Eater Austin.
While the cafe's future address is an undetermined work in progress, Cenote owner Mary Jenkins is committed to securing its continuation elsewhere. Mentioning Hyde Park and Airport Boulevard as potential locations, Jenkins aims to fund this move through a Honeycomb Credit crowdfunding campaign. As Eater Austin reported, the designer of the original space, Michelle Marchessault, has been roped in for crafting the new place.
The cafe's pending relocation isn't the only cause for concern. Amidst the firm’s upheaval is the fate of an on-site Narcan vending machine, a pivotal resource in combating the opioid crisis. Installed in collaboration with the local nonprofit N.I.C.E. Project, the machine's purpose resonates with Jenkins on a personal level following the loss of her husband to a fentanyl overdose in 2021. "If we only save one life, it would be worth it," Jenkins stated in a sentiment captured by KVUE.
With the East Cesar Chavez location slated for redevelopment, there are complications in retaining the life-saving machine on-site. The new property owners deem it a construction liability, closing it for the project's duration, which could last up to 14 months, as KVUE reports. However, a new Narcan dispenser will be installed across the street at the Terrazas Branch of the Austin Public Library, marking a Texas first, according to discussions between Jenkins and library director Roosevelt Weeks.
Meanwhile, the struggle to make Narcan readily available is echoed across Austin, where the city’s first 24/7 Narcan vending machine was placed outside Sunrise Community Church, as noted by KXAN. The center's director, Mark Hilbelink, acknowledges the stigmatization surrounding such harm reduction efforts yet stresses their importance in light of the alarming increase in fentanyl-related deaths in Travis County.
Funding and supplies for the state's More Narcan Please program have seen fluctuations, with recent announcements suggesting an improved distribution capacity, including a new contract for fiscal year 2023 valued at over $5 million, as reported by KXAN. This backing is critical in the current climate where, per the Travis County Medical Examiner, accidental drug overdoses saw significant spikes in the past years, underscoring the need for accessible life-saving interventions like Narcan.
