THE COTTAGE INDUSTRIES operation doesn’t end with the Smoke Queen BBQ. The grounds are fun and creative (Tribune photo).

The future has landed in Garden Grove’s Civic Center area.

I’m not talking about the Civic Center Revitalization project; that undertaking – including a new police building with adjacent parking structure, as well as a new park – will take years to complete.

I’m referring in this instance to the first openings in the Cottage Industries development on 8th and 9th Street a few blocks over.

The Tribune ran a “Chow Lines” review of Smoke Queen BBQ a few days ago by John Borack, who gave it high marks. Marilyn and I dropped by on Thursday and were similarly impressed; the portions were so big (and good) that we had enough food for dinner that night.

But that’s only part of the story. The grounds of the Cottage Industries include not just that soon-to-be iconic eatery, but unique open eating and relaxation areas, including teepees, Adirondack chairs, hopscotch paths, etc. etc. along with a revitalized community garden.

Adjacent is Eco Now, the latest of four “zero waste shop and refill stations” where we bought laundry soap and two orange-crate style boxes decorated with retro labels from Garden Grove’s orange grove days.

One of the owners, Thea, told us that she not only had planted her business in the area, but her family has also moved to the Big Strawberry and is already signed up to work at the Strawberry Festival.

Additionally, we also chatted with Linda Sadeghi, who is the driving force behind Cottage, which consists of repurposing old homes in the area east of Civic Center Drive and north of Garden Grove Boulevard, for shops, stores and even – eventually – a boutique motel.

It’s been a long haul for Linda, but she is clearly dedicated to doing quality work that will add another major attraction to the booming civic center/downtown area.

Mayor Steve Jones has dedicated much of his efforts to make Garden Grove more “hip.” Hip it is becoming but if I continue to eat the big, delicious briskets at Smoke Queen, my own hips will soon not be “becoming” to me.