SMOKE QUEEN Barbecue is under construction on 9th Street in Garden Grove (OC Tribune photo).

It’s getting so close, you can almost smell the sauce.

The Cottage Industries project, which involves repurposing small older homes east of Garden Grove’s Civic Center district, delayed for years by a pandemic and a split-up, is starting to take shape.

Situated from 9th Street to Civic Center Drive and north of Garden Grove Boulevard, Cottage Industries is aiming to bring unique small businesses to the area that aims to add appeal to the city’s historic core.

First up could be Smoke Queen Barbecue on Ninth Street where construction is nearing completion and hiring is underway.

Smoke Queen is the creation of chef and restauranteur Winnie Yee-Lakhani, who plans to combine the flavors of her Chinese and Malaysian heritage with the traditional American style of smoking to achieve an “east meets west” fusion.

Others in the first wave are Eco Now (locally-sourced, handmade and eco-friendly goods) and GameCraft Brewing (a micro-brewery with board games and live comedy and musical entertainment.