The existing condition of Payne's Cafe.

The existing condition of Payne's Cafe.

Site Plan

Payne's Cafe

Payne’s Café is a full-service restaurant featuring affordable, home-style cuisine. The restaurant dates back to the 1930’s, and has served as a cultural landmark in the unique neighborhood of Soria City in Gulfport, MS. The building is mixed-use with two stories; the first level contains the restaurant, two retail spaces and a hair salon. The upper level is where the owner, Mr. Constant Payne, lives. Mr. Payne inherited the restaurant from his mother in 1995 and updated the interior décor and the kitchen facilities to better serve his customers. In 2005, the restaurant sustained heavy damage from Hurricane Katrina, and as a result, the restaurant was closed until 2009, when it re-opened after interior repairs were made.

Payne’s café is located on the 1500 block of 20th Street in Soria City. Nestled between two large neighborhood churches, this block was once the epicenter of commercial activity for this tight-knit neighborhood. Like many neighborhoods like this one, many of the buildings have fallen into disrepair due to storm damages, economic decline, and the movement of people from the neighborhood to suburban areas north of the coast. By working closely with Mr. Payne, his employees, the council woman for the neighborhood, and the community association, the GCCDS is working to design an improved storefront and parking configuration for the restaurant and businesses.

The proposed improvements include adding parking to the rear of the restaurant, to be accessed by the rear alley; adding handicap accessible parking spaces in the front of the restaurant; and adding sidewalk access to the front of the building. Additionally, a space for community functions is planned for the front of the building, as the restaurant often serves as a place for gathering for special events. The façade of the building will get a facelift, through the replacement of windows and doors and the addition of an awning that will wrap around the front of the building. A new roof over the commercial spaces will allow a new HVAC system to service the individual spaces better. Also, new signage is planned, in order to make the businesses more visible to visitors. It is the intention of the GCCDS and Mr. Payne to update the façade and access to the building, while preserving the beauty of the original brick work and detailing on the building that give it the character that long-time residents of the neighborhood appreciate.