The road construction on Broadway has put quite the damper on things. It’s forced certain businesses to relocate or shut down completely, has created a detour for restaurant-goers, and seems to be taking a long time to wrap up. However, there are a handful of positive changes in the works, too.

The original Zemam’s Ethiopian Cuisine location at 2731 E. Broadway Blvd., which is temporarily closed, has plans to expand its restaurant with a new patio and a bar that’ll highlight international sports.

Earlier this month, the Rio Nuevo Development Board approved a grant that’s making all of this possible for the 28-year-old restaurant — voting unanimously to give half a million dollars for the renovation.

“It’s basically a new patio and bar at Zemam’s on what will be one of the most walkable corners on the Sunshine Mile,” said Rio Nuevo Chairman Fletcher McCusker.

So, expect to see plenty of rugby, cricket, football (not the kind with helmets and shoulder pads), and other sports you wouldn’t typically see at many sports bars in town. When it’s all said and done, the renovations should be finished within the first half of 2022, which is plenty of time for the international sports bar to be ready for soccer’s World Cup.

 

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Meanwhile, pay a visit to Zemam’s Too on Speedway near Sixth Avenue. Their hours are 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Friday – Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Sunday (closed on Monday).

Zemam’s is located at 2731 E. Broadway Blvd. and Zemam’s Too is at 119 E. Speedway Blvd. For more information, visit zemamsrestaurants.com.