Mike Geiger wants to bring a taste of Mexico to Market Square.

Mr. Geiger and his partner, John Iaquinta, plan to open their third Moe's Southwest Grill -- and their first Downtown -- at 210 Forbes Ave. this summer, across from the old G.C. Murphy store.

"It's just a great spot for business, for lunch, for all the events that happen throughout Market Square," Mr. Geiger said.

Moe's will take over space now occupied by Dogs Dun Wright and City Cafe, both of which are closing and relocating.

Mr. Geiger and Mr. Iaquinta now operate Moe's restaurants in Cranberry and Collier. The Market Square location will feature up to 32 outdoor seats and 40 to 50 indoors.

Moe's plans to be one of the first to take advantage of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership's new Paris to Pittsburgh program, which provides matching grants to retailers, restaurants and other businesses to perk up their facades and sidewalks.

Mr. Geiger said the partnership's announcement of the program last month "helped push us over the edge" for the Market Square location, which it had been negotiating for since late last year.

"It definitely was helpful," he said.

Moe's hopes to take advantage of the square's ongoing revitalization. The old Murphy building will be the new home of the Downtown YMCA by early next year. There also will be 46 upper-floor apartments and street-level shops. A block away, Three PNC Plaza, a 23-story skyscraper featuring offices, a hotel and condos, is under construction, with completion set for late this year.

Mr. Geiger said he has always been a fan of Market Square, and the new development only added to his interest. He said Moe's offerings, which include fresh, made-to-order burritos, salads and other Southwest foods, should be popular with those who exercise at the YMCA and the nearby Gold's Gym.

The recent crackdown on illicit activity in Market Square also helped sell him on the location, he said.

"I think it's impressive to see an effort like that made. For the mayor's office and the [district attorney's] office to say, 'This is what we want to do' and see it happen, it's very encouraging," he said.

As Moe's prepares to move in, Dogs Dun Wright will move out after St. Patrick's Day to a new location on Freeport Road in Blawnox. City Cafe, a subtenant, likely will move to Liberty Avenue, according to Patty Wright, Dogs Dun Wright owner.

She said it has been difficult doing business in Market Square.

"It's not real business-friendly," she said. "It's been really hard down here. You've got to have quite a few years in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh crowds are tough on new businesses."

Ms. Wright wasn't too optimistic about Moe's chances of succeeding at the same location, at least not at first.

"I don't have a lot of faith in it. I don't think in the first couple of years they're going to do well. Maybe if they stick it out they'll make it," she said, noting the square currently is in transition.

"Right now, it's a tough crowd."

Mr. Geiger said the Market Square location is the "biggest roll of the dice" he and his partner have taken so far, but he is confident it will be a success. He said catering also is a big part of Moe's business, and that should work to the restaurant's advantage.

"I've got an established base of business that uses us already. That's another factor that helps out," he said.