This was the original Seminole Heights blog with commentary about life in and around the urban neighborhood of Seminole Heights in Tampa, Florida. Musings about other topics as my mood permits. The blog is essentially inactive since I moved to Lutz. Go to The Official Unofficial Seminole Heights Blog - www.seminoleheightsblog.com for active content.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Brew Pub
I was asked whether Seminole Heights would support a brew pub. My answer is yes!
However what do the readers say? Would you support it? Would you support it if were near a church?
Thanks for the feedback. Sherry King from BGOSH offered to test the waters for us. No worries, this won't be another dive bar. Beer selection will run anywhere from good old PBR to Stella Artois. There will also be a full selection of liquor. We're striving to be a great neighborhood hangout and offer quality entertainment every night. Entertainment will range from live music on weekends to comedy to Sunday gospel brunch to burlesque. We want to keep this as neighborhood friendly as possible because we live here, too. I'll gladly discuss any concerns or suggestions that you all might have. Just email me at baker.greg@gmail.com.
1,000,000% yes. My consumption alone would make it personally worth your efforts. Plus, on a professional note, 1) nothing compliments a business district like a brew pub. It's a place to take business clients and/or a nice place to take a break while shopping.
The section of Florida Ave just south of the Bakery near the art gallery would be perfect. I believe the cross street is Wilder. The beer is easy. Please have good food!
Another yes vote. Considering the vast majority of the clientele for places like New World and Tampa Bay Brewing Company comes from Seminole Heights and is tired of Ybor's many problems it seems like a no-brainer. Being a staunch advocate for the separation of church and state, I've never really understood that argument. Maybe I don't want a church near my bar.
"Would you support it? Would you support it if were near a church?"
I would support it assuming it was a good business and run correctly. I don't support badly run businesses, even if they're in my great neighborhood and struggling.
Would I support it if it were near a church? Silly question. Answer: doesn't matter if I support or not. Better to ask the question will the church support it? Because it is my experience that the church gets a full veto and no amount of support from residents can overcome it. 500 feet from a church covers a very large portion of Nebraska avenue as storefront churches are popping up like pawn shops and used car lots.
Additionally, OSHNA has a history of not approving variances for liquor licenses (or beer/wine) unless the business is also a restaraunt.
All of that said, if I could walk to a pub and drink, play darts, and munch on wings, I'd be a happy camper. Especially if the bar is only a block or two North of Hanna on Nebraska. [hint hint] In fact, until the issues with the Front Porch cropped up, several groups of people I associate went there for after-event drinks regularly.
The minister of said church is willing to keep the neighborhood going in the right direction and has also allow the santuary to be used for meetings with police Chief Hogue regarding the prostitution issue and has voiced support of neighborhood efforts in that regard. He was a neighbor of mine when he first moved to this church and I think we will find that he is an open minded person. All that being said I don't think in this case the location will be an issue as it is a restuarant that serves drinks (I'm assuming - not a bar that serves food - if you get my drift).
I vote ABSOLUTELY! Our neighborhood is in great need of gathering places such as bars and restaurants.
Based on Greg's comments, I assume that this brew pub would be located on Nebraska in close proximity to the John Calvin Church. Earl Smith, the pastor, is a huge supporter of the neighborhood.
Nebraska Ave. already has a ton of pretty entertaining dive bars, so my vote is to put it on Florida Ave. There are nice places like "Front Porch" and "Viva" to get a beer on Florida Ave., but as great as they are, both are more like places I’d take a date – not hang out with the boys and watch a football game.
Plus, I’d say if there is an issue with putting it by a church, move the church. Many of the Florida and Nebraska churches are in disrepair and are as big of a blight as the car lots. Not that car lots are much better, but at least we get some tax revenue from them.
Who said a it has to be a place for the "guys" to hang out and watch football? Can;t a girl go and have a glass of wine and play darts too? If so, I vote yes. I'm not a beer drinker but I'd love a nice clean place that serves wine and beer (I don't care if it's primarily beer) where I can go and get a burger and have a glass of wine. But, I vote to put it on Nebraska - you people on the W side have all the fun! :~) It's our turn. Next to a chuch - - I don't care and if the church okays it, go for it!
i went to the corner club for the first time last week and the bartender and few customers in there were using the most racist and homophobic language i have ever heard, in front of me at total stranger . screw that place
Thanks for the continuing comments. This will be an Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Brew Pub and Full Bar. We have noticed that the concept of a sports bar has been flying around. Dear neighbors, this will not be a sports bar. There may be 1 or 2 TVs but that will be the extent. It WILL honor every aspect of Seminole Heights from present day to the first settlers. Keep the comments coming! Michelle
There was an individual that had bought (or was buying) a lot to build a neighborhood sports bar (Beef O'Brady's style in my estimate). Perhaps people are confusing the two.
If I could walk to such a place, I'd be there often, if only to sit outside and enjoy a beer and my neighbors.
Please note that within Seminole Heights, the city is encouraging mixed-use development. Think of the old business districts where people lived upstairs and worked downstairs.
Support it?
ReplyDeleteI'd live there...
long overdue. Tired of trekking to Ybor all the time. It would be nice to have a neighborhood bar.
ReplyDeleteYes, absolutely, I do indeed concur wholeheartedly.
ReplyDeleteWould a neighborhood bar be good? Yes.
ReplyDeleteHowever, being a bit of a beer snob I'm not likely to spend time there if their idea of an import is Heineken.
If they're brewing their own though, that'd be good, or a good Irish pub with some Guinness would be nice.
Brew Pub = Church
ReplyDeleteYES!
YEAH!!WOOOHOOOO!
ReplyDeleteTo clarify, I would support a brew pub type place(like Neil, I too am a bit of beer snob), not another dive bar.
ReplyDeleteGotta have at least one good heffeweizen.
ReplyDeleteyeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssss
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback. Sherry King from BGOSH offered to test the waters for us.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, this won't be another dive bar. Beer selection will run anywhere from good old PBR to Stella Artois. There will also be a full selection of liquor.
We're striving to be a great neighborhood hangout and offer quality entertainment every night.
Entertainment will range from live music on weekends to comedy to Sunday gospel brunch to burlesque.
We want to keep this as neighborhood friendly as possible because we live here, too.
I'll gladly discuss any concerns or suggestions that you all might have. Just email me at baker.greg@gmail.com.
1,000,000% yes. My consumption alone would make it personally worth your efforts. Plus, on a professional note, 1) nothing compliments a business district like a brew pub. It's a place to take business clients and/or a nice place to take a break while shopping.
ReplyDeleteplease consider stocking some of our great domestic ales.
ReplyDeleteI second Dan's recommendation for a heffeweizzen. A decent brewpub would be a BIG boon to SH.
ReplyDeleteThe section of Florida Ave just south of the Bakery near the art gallery would be perfect. I believe the cross street is Wilder. The beer is easy. Please have good food!
ReplyDeleteTC
Another yes vote. Considering the vast majority of the clientele for places like New World and Tampa Bay Brewing Company comes from Seminole Heights and is tired of Ybor's many problems it seems like a no-brainer. Being a staunch advocate for the separation of church and state, I've never really understood that argument. Maybe I don't want a church near my bar.
ReplyDelete"Would you support it? Would you support it if were near a church?"
ReplyDeleteI would support it assuming it was a good business and run correctly. I don't support badly run businesses, even if they're in my great neighborhood and struggling.
Would I support it if it were near a church? Silly question. Answer: doesn't matter if I support or not. Better to ask the question will the church support it? Because it is my experience that the church gets a full veto and no amount of support from residents can overcome it. 500 feet from a church covers a very large portion of Nebraska avenue as storefront churches are popping up like pawn shops and used car lots.
Additionally, OSHNA has a history of not approving variances for liquor licenses (or beer/wine) unless the business is also a restaraunt.
All of that said, if I could walk to a pub and drink, play darts, and munch on wings, I'd be a happy camper. Especially if the bar is only a block or two North of Hanna on Nebraska. [hint hint] In fact, until the issues with the Front Porch cropped up, several groups of people I associate went there for after-event drinks regularly.
The minister of said church is willing to keep the neighborhood going in the right direction and has also allow the santuary to be used for meetings with police Chief Hogue regarding the prostitution issue and has voiced support of neighborhood efforts in that regard. He was a neighbor of mine when he first moved to this church and I think we will find that he is an open minded person. All that being said I don't think in this case the location will be an issue as it is a restuarant that serves drinks (I'm assuming - not a bar that serves food - if you get my drift).
ReplyDeleteGood luck
Greg
I vote ABSOLUTELY!
ReplyDeleteOur neighborhood is in great need of gathering places such as bars and restaurants.
Based on Greg's comments, I assume that this brew pub would be located on Nebraska in close proximity to the John Calvin Church. Earl Smith, the pastor, is a huge supporter of the neighborhood.
Total walking/wheeling distance from me. It'll be like when I lived in Camden Ybor!
ReplyDeleteNebraska Ave. already has a ton of pretty entertaining dive bars, so my vote is to put it on Florida Ave. There are nice places like "Front Porch" and "Viva" to get a beer on Florida Ave., but as great as they are, both are more like places I’d take a date – not hang out with the boys and watch a football game.
ReplyDeletePlus, I’d say if there is an issue with putting it by a church, move the church. Many of the Florida and Nebraska churches are in disrepair and are as big of a blight as the car lots. Not that car lots are much better, but at least we get some tax revenue from them.
How about a microbrew takeaway, like World of Beer?
ReplyDeleteWho said a it has to be a place for the "guys" to hang out and watch football? Can;t a girl go and have a glass of wine and play darts too? If so, I vote yes. I'm not a beer drinker but I'd love a nice clean place that serves wine and beer (I don't care if it's primarily beer) where I can go and get a burger and have a glass of wine. But, I vote to put it on Nebraska - you people on the W side have all the fun! :~) It's our turn. Next to a chuch - - I don't care and if the church okays it, go for it!
ReplyDeletei went to the corner club for the first time last week and the bartender and few customers in there were using the most racist and homophobic language i have ever heard, in front of me at total stranger . screw that place
ReplyDeleteYou want a bar? Put it next to Starbucks or beside the Hampton Terrace sign. Don't go offering for somebody elses backyard.
ReplyDeleteNo wet zoning that can't be strictly limited to a specific resturant (2/3 of sales being food) and goes away when the business moves.
That will be a bigger fight than Starbucks debate.
Thanks for the continuing comments. This will be an Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Brew Pub and Full Bar. We have noticed that the concept of a sports bar has been flying around. Dear neighbors, this will not be a sports bar. There may be 1 or 2 TVs but that will be the extent. It WILL honor every aspect of Seminole Heights from present day to the first settlers. Keep the comments coming!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteThere was an individual that had bought (or was buying) a lot to build a neighborhood sports bar (Beef O'Brady's style in my estimate). Perhaps people are confusing the two.
If I could walk to such a place, I'd be there often, if only to sit outside and enjoy a beer and my neighbors.
Please note that within Seminole Heights, the city is encouraging mixed-use development. Think of the old business districts where people lived upstairs and worked downstairs.