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.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Panera's Rumors
I heard through the grapevine rumor mill that Leroy's 4 x 4 owner told all of his employees today, that Panera's is moving there.
I agree with the idea that this could be the "tip of the iceberg", but for crying out loud, isn't it better than a beat-up auto shop? Every day I come off I-275 N and the first thing I see is a bunch of half-built, half-painted cars in their lot. That's not what I'm paying my $3,000 in property taxes to see. I'm not a huge corporate America advocate, but I'd gladly replace every used car lot on Florida Ave,too, if given the chance.
I like the Starbucks, will frequent the Panera if its more than a rumor, but I sure hope we dont see Walgreens, CVS, or any of the boxes come to SH. One thing that SH lacks is a choice good, consistent local feeding troughs and gathering places. Panera is another place where people can congregate and interact.
Man, that would really be a great step towards other businesses developing in Seminole Heights. Look at Starbuck's. The place is packed every time I drive by. Obviously there is enough people (with money) to support a Panera. It would be the only game like it in town. I hope it's true.
I think it's more than a rumor. Starbucks held a meeting with their employees and told them that Panera will be moving in next door. Starbucks and Panera are owned by the same company.
The one thing that would be nice, is to be able to eat in this neighborhood, something thats not deep fried in animal fat, or cooked in a 50 gallon drum at the gas station.
Well considering Mr. Hassan Karimdadiam paid $90,000 for the Sunny Day Lemon Lot property back in 1996 maybe he's ready to sell for a little less than $700,000 since the Recuerdos Bar property sold a year ago for $452,000. Both properties are the same size - 146x130.
I mean Karimdadiam already owns a $700,000, 4,600 square foot house. I'm sure selling all those fine vehicles paid for the house (ha!) but c'mon it's time to sell Hassan, right?
How about we pitch selling the Sunny Day junk lot as a public service. Think he'll bite?
A stable restaraunt that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be a welcome addition here. As of now, we have only Nickos that fits that bill.
My primary consern with Panera is how they'll design the new building. Starbucks needed to be set back to allow for the drive-thrus. Panera's don't have drive-thrus. I'll be less willing to speak in front of city council to waive the ARC's placement recommendations than I was with Starbucks.
I think there will be more placement issues from the traffic safty standpoint that DOT will determine. The neighborhood and ARC will have little say so in that matter but ARC will still have to approve the building as the property is in the historic district.
Mr. Karimdadian owns about three other companies according to the Florida Division of Corporations.
http://www.sunbiz.org/scripts/corofflis.exe
He may or may not make money on the Sunny Day junk yard but I'm betting he takes a loss on it for tax purposes. And it's a pretty good real estate investment.
These junk owners are just waiting for the right price. Then they'll move the "assets" to some other, cheaper piece of property to set up shop.
Hey, Shawn-non-anonymous, you forgfet there's 3 coins. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The prices are cheap and, though, it's not sexy - to say the least, the food is certainly edible, especially for breakfast. Join us one Sat A.M. It's closer than Nikko's for you too!
However, I, too, would love to have a Panera bread.
It's worth 700,000 as a junk yard ( because it makes money).There's gold in them there carlots!!! What other type of small business could afford that price. Recuerdo's has a liquor license & it sold for only 452,000. Front porch was 280,000 . It's destined to stay a junkyard unless a big company like starbucks or panera or that type buys it.
Taco Bus Rules!!! A family member had dinner at the porch tonight. Said service sucked - wattresses all outside smoking. NO Mayonaise for the burger. How does a restuarant run out of mayonaise & why couldn't some one go buy some?? Patrick send one of the smokers to savolot they would only be gone 10 mins!!!
mustard and ketchup sit around forever without going bad while old mayo starts to seperate so that means it needs to be fresh which means that you have to throw some out if not being used which means waste and having to buy more which means spending money.
Found an intersting article about Starbucks, off topic, but given some of the previous debates about the evils of SB, I thought it might be of interest.USA Today
Hmmm...I used to think the service at Front Porch was a bit offbeat, but not sucky per se. Anyway, sorry but Panera makes my day. it's the only chain I love (ok, too strong, but still). They donate all uneaten baked goods to shelters and such. Yeah! Salads and soups for me within biking distance! And I do think their architecture is not too offensive. MB
Just to clarify... Panera and Starbucks are not owned by the same company. They both started in different decades on opposite sides of the country. How do I know this? Because I did a research paper on Starbucks and Panera for a senior year thesis. Anyway, bottom line is that nothing bad came come out of getting a Panera in the neighborhood. If anything, it would bring in more families and push out the less desireable element in the community. I say get rid of the citgo and the Advanced auto parts on Nebraska and put in something worthwhile on those corners. I mean seriously, how many auto parts stores do we need in the neighborhood!
Wow, life is getting good if this is true...imagine bagle and a cup of coffee all before you get on the highway!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI told you this would happen. Them starbucks people are evil!
ReplyDeleteHmm, I wonder if you can use some spray paint to make the sign say Pandora instead of Panera. Guess we'll have to wait and see :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea that this could be the "tip of the iceberg", but for crying out loud, isn't it better than a beat-up auto shop? Every day I come off I-275 N and the first thing I see is a bunch of half-built, half-painted cars in their lot. That's not what I'm paying my $3,000 in property taxes to see. I'm not a huge corporate America advocate, but I'd gladly replace every used car lot on Florida Ave,too, if given the chance.
ReplyDeleteI like the Starbucks, will frequent the Panera if its more than a rumor, but I sure hope we dont see Walgreens, CVS, or any of the boxes come to SH. One thing that SH lacks is a choice good, consistent local feeding troughs and gathering places. Panera is another place where people can congregate and interact.
ReplyDeleteMan, that would really be a great step towards other businesses developing in Seminole Heights. Look at Starbuck's. The place is packed every time I drive by. Obviously there is enough people (with money) to support a Panera. It would be the only game like it in town. I hope it's true.
ReplyDeleteI think it's more than a rumor. Starbucks held a meeting with their employees and told them that Panera will be moving in next door. Starbucks and Panera are owned by the same company.
ReplyDeleteNow, let' hope Sunny Day fetches a high price so all the other lemon lots sell.
ReplyDeleteat list price of over $700,000 I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteI hope it's true. Honestly the line at Starbucks is so long in the morning I find myself going to Indigo. Clearly we need more options.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that would be nice, is to be able to eat in this neighborhood, something thats not deep fried in animal fat, or cooked in a 50 gallon drum at the gas station.
ReplyDeleteWell considering Mr. Hassan Karimdadiam paid $90,000 for the Sunny Day Lemon Lot property back in 1996 maybe he's ready to sell for a little less than $700,000 since the Recuerdos Bar property sold a year ago for $452,000. Both properties are the same size - 146x130.
ReplyDeleteI mean Karimdadiam already owns a $700,000, 4,600 square foot house. I'm sure selling all those fine vehicles paid for the house (ha!) but c'mon it's time to sell Hassan, right?
How about we pitch selling the Sunny Day junk lot as a public service. Think he'll bite?
A stable restaraunt that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be a welcome addition here. As of now, we have only Nickos that fits that bill.
ReplyDeleteMy primary consern with Panera is how they'll design the new building. Starbucks needed to be set back to allow for the drive-thrus. Panera's don't have drive-thrus. I'll be less willing to speak in front of city council to waive the ARC's placement recommendations than I was with Starbucks.
I think there will be more placement issues from the traffic safty standpoint that DOT will determine. The neighborhood and ARC will have little say so in that matter but ARC will still have to approve the building as the property is in the historic district.
ReplyDeleteWhat's wrong with Hassan asking $700,000 for his property?
ReplyDeleteYou can bet it won't be an art gallery or retail store or mom apop restuarant. More than likely it will be a car lot again. It's a shame.....
$700,000 4,600 sq ft house. this proves my point. those car lots make alot of money and thats why they are here.
ReplyDeleteMr. Karimdadian owns about three other companies according to the Florida Division of Corporations.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sunbiz.org/scripts/corofflis.exe
He may or may not make money on the Sunny Day junk yard but I'm betting he takes a loss on it for tax purposes. And it's a pretty good real estate investment.
These junk owners are just waiting for the right price. Then they'll move the "assets" to some other, cheaper piece of property to set up shop.
Hey, Shawn-non-anonymous, you forgfet there's 3 coins. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The prices are cheap and, though, it's not sexy - to say the least, the food is certainly edible, especially for breakfast. Join us one Sat A.M. It's closer than Nikko's for you too!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I, too, would love to have a Panera bread.
Doesn't prove anything moron
ReplyDeleteIt's worth 700,000 as a junk yard ( because it makes money).There's gold in them there carlots!!! What other type of small business could afford that price. Recuerdo's has a liquor license & it sold for only 452,000. Front porch was 280,000 . It's destined to stay a junkyard unless a big company like starbucks or panera or that type buys it.
ReplyDeleteTaco Bus Rules!!!
ReplyDeleteA family member had dinner at the porch tonight. Said service sucked - wattresses all outside smoking. NO Mayonaise for the burger. How does a restuarant run out of mayonaise & why couldn't some one go buy some?? Patrick send one of the smokers to savolot they would only be gone 10 mins!!!
Service at the Front Porch always sucks. They would not survive if they had any competition.
ReplyDeletemustard and ketchup sit around forever without going bad while old mayo starts to seperate so that means it needs to be fresh which means that you have to throw some out if not being used which means waste and having to buy more which means spending money.
ReplyDeleteAny news on a brewpub in Seminole Heights?
ReplyDeleteFound an intersting article about Starbucks, off topic, but given some of the previous debates about the evils of SB, I thought it might be of interest.USA Today
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I used to think the service at Front Porch was a bit offbeat, but not sucky per se.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, sorry but Panera makes my day. it's the only chain I love (ok, too strong, but still). They donate all uneaten baked goods to shelters and such. Yeah! Salads and soups for me within biking distance! And I do think their architecture is not too offensive.
MB
Just to clarify... Panera and Starbucks are not owned by the same company. They both started in different decades on opposite sides of the country. How do I know this? Because I did a research paper on Starbucks and Panera for a senior year thesis. Anyway, bottom line is that nothing bad came come out of getting a Panera in the neighborhood. If anything, it would bring in more families and push out the less desireable element in the community. I say get rid of the citgo and the Advanced auto parts on Nebraska and put in something worthwhile on those corners. I mean seriously, how many auto parts stores do we need in the neighborhood!
ReplyDelete