The owners of a Courtenay brewery and a restaurant have teamed up to open a third business 鈥� smack dab in the middle of their downtown establishments.

The Cornerstone Cafe & Taphouse at Fifth and Cliffe 鈥� formerly occupied by Zocalo Cafe 鈥� is owned by two couples: Alexandra Stephanson and Daniel Sharratt, owners of the Gladstone Brewing Co. on Fourth Street 鈥� and Trent McIntyre and Sandra Viney, who operate the Atlas Cafe on Sixth. There is also a fifth 鈥榮ilent partner.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping to help revitalize a little bit of downtown Courtenay,鈥� McIntyre said. 鈥淲e want to have a bit of a social mandate here where people can come and gather, and meet.鈥�

The owners intend to incorporate live music and an art scene. They might even offer an art class where participants replicate a painting over dinner or a glass of wine.

鈥淭he generic name for it is called Sippin鈥� Paint,鈥� Stephanson said.

The couples have retained the entire Zocalo staff, and hired another dozen or so employees.

As opposed to a traditional sit-down restaurant, Cornerstone will offer more of a 鈥榥ibble and beer鈥� atmosphere. The bar features 14 beers and two ciders on tap. For food, it offers soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches.

After a 鈥榮oft opening鈥� May 19, the cafe opened May 26 for lunch, which will continue for about a month before a grand opening.

鈥淲e鈥檙e happy with the response so far,鈥� McIntyre said.

One of the main venues for the Elevate Arts Festival June 1-4, Cornerstone Cafe & Taphouse will remain open until 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends.

McIntyre hopes some neighbouring shops will follow suit and stay open a little later.

鈥淲e love it down here,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e want to make sure the (downtown) fabric does stay at some sort of a centralized place. We have the Sid here, we have the library. We just want to build on that.鈥�