Early investments such as the pop-ups and Craft Work have sparked new interest from other businesses considering locating outside the core of downtown and Midtown. Kirby and James, for example, first heard about the West Village through Yaro. So when they were looking for a neighborhood to call home, after Kirby relocated from Brooklyn, they chose the West Village.

That was in the glorious fall weather of last October, and the two walked the streets looking at Georgian Revivals, Tudors and a passel of other historic properties tucked way in the area. In their ramblings, they came across a commercial space at Parker and Kercheval streets.

"There used to be an old party store in it, and we kept looking at that space and saying, 'Oh damn, that would be such a great spot for a more upscale bodega like you see on every corner in New York,' " said Kirby, 26.

And since Drought goes through three tons of organic produce a week, the two knew they'd have access to excellent fruits and vegetables to build a market/bodega around. (Bodega equals party store in the local parlance.)

Kirby and James started rehabbing the space in November — using $1,200 worth of credit card points James traded for Lowe's gift cards — and are planning a soft launch party April 3.

As they make plans for their grocery, a recent open house drew more than 20 people to 1417 Van Dyke St., all of whom were hoping that their business would be selected to move into the location.

"Things have evolved here," said Hurttienne of The Villages CDC. "That evolution has led us to the point where 1417 Van Dyke can do an RFP for a business to move in. That feels like a huge thing. It's just tremendous."

That property is owned by Alex Howbert, a third-generation West Village resident. He is working with Practice Space to find the right business tenant for the Victorian house, which once housed a grocery that his father and uncles frequented.

"We always had retail kind of coming and going; it was never really a concentrated effort, though," said Howbert, who co-ownsand. "Recently, there is just so much more. I think in large part it's due to Brian's work at the CDC. He's basically a force working to put together projects and build excitement and get it out there that things are happening."

The property, which offers first floor commercial space and second floor apartments, needs a major overhaul, but the bones are good. There is a potential live/work option, plus a backyard to sweeten the deal for the right business.

"The No. 1 attractor of the space has been the live/work option," said Austin Kronig, cultural development director for Practice Space. "But people are seeing the West Village as a more walkable urban neighborhood that is rejuvenating."

Practice Space, The Villages CDC, Revolve and Howbert are currently reviewing the materials and plan to announce finalists in April.