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.
Any clean establishment that provided diverse draughts, a variety of vintages, and other palatable potables with predictably good service would flourish, be it pool hall, brew pub, cigar bar, or sports bar.
Wow, I really love all those ideas. Did anyone take over the Viva La Frida's loc. yet? My friends and I have been waiting for a close spot to frequent. Does anyone know if there is an interested party that will build or buy a place? How about tearing down Leroy's 4X4 and putting up a place there on the corner?
I'm completely baffled that nothing like a restaurant/pool hall has gone up yet.
With the recent investment in Seminole Heights and the high traffic counts on the major thoroughfares, it seems like as close to a sure thing as you can get in the hospitality industry.
I agree with Ramer - I haven't played pool since I was about 12 (nothing against it) so I would stop in to check it out but would not anticipate spending much time or $$$ there.
You guys had me going for a little while ..... the idea is closer to copslovedonuts really. We already have 11 big tables ready to go. If you have not played pool since you were 12 , give it a try again - we are not talking the backroom sleazy stuff of old. Turn on ESPN sometimes - 8 ball / 9 ball tournies. There are some serious players in Tampa - PROs and ametures. Leagues and small tournements are really a great way to spend some time with friends.
Thought Viva la Frida's was back into staying open again ?
I wish you the best of luck in your endeavour. I was trying to open a brew pub/entertainment venue in the neighborhood and well, came across some obstacles. The first of which is available exisiting buildings to lease/buy and renovate. The existing buildings are primarily car lots or narrow retail space. My pockets weren't deep enough to buy/tear down/re-build. May not be a problem for you. The next challenge was a lot with adequate parking. If there is square footage, there is limited parking. Neighbors won't like on street parking down the block from your establishment, with the added irritation of noise and trash. The last point, CHURCHES. Not that I'm anti-god, but the county has regulations regarding the proximity of alcohol sales and churches and schools. Don't quote me, but your establishment must be at least 1000 feet from either, via the nearest practical walkway (down the sidewalk, take a right, go up the next sidewalk, etc.) VERY hard to find in this neighborhood. I'm not giving up on opening a business in the neighborhood yet - but it's incredibly difficult to jump through the county hoops AND find a property that would suit. The more I look, the more it looks like about $1 million just to open. My pockets aren't that deep. I'm not trying to discourage you, I'll fully support any type of business like you are trying to open (as long as it doesn't look like "Cheers" - just my taste) and if there is anything that I've come across in my research that I can share that will help you along the way, just let me know.
Perhaps you all should go to Pesto's a few blocks north of downtown across from Stetson and between Florida and Tampa St's. Food is great- just opened a month or so ago.
I would like to say that anyone who could muster the financial backing could count on an innovative and dedicated resturanteur like myself. I have recently been asking my new friends here in the neighborhood...."If we all want a 'cool place to hang out at in SESH, why not make one of our own'?" There is little reason why, with the right amount of money, and my experience and dedication that we can't create our own place here in the hood. So, if you are interested in investing in such a project that will clearly pay off, put a post into the message board. If you doubt the possibility, ask yourself why Starbucks would put a shop here and ask yourself where can you go to hang out on a nice evening to have a beer and a sandwich besides Front Porch, which I hear is nobody' favorite place to go? email me at ufparrothead@earthlink.net to hear more
I know this is WAY off topic, but at least another major paper got the real story on Kenny Rushing's mission. Hosue Hustling is now on the map, going national.
cops love donuts...that's original.
ReplyDeleteAny clean establishment that provided diverse draughts, a variety of vintages, and other palatable potables with predictably good service would flourish, be it pool hall, brew pub, cigar bar, or sports bar.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ifly....I say "BRING IT ON!!" Build it and we will come.
ReplyDeleteWow, I really love all those ideas. Did anyone take over the Viva La Frida's loc. yet? My friends and I have been waiting for a close spot to frequent. Does anyone know if there is an interested party that will build or buy a place? How about tearing down Leroy's 4X4 and putting up a place there on the corner?
ReplyDeleteI'm completely baffled that nothing like a restaurant/pool hall has gone up yet.
ReplyDeleteWith the recent investment in Seminole Heights and the high traffic counts on the major thoroughfares, it seems like as close to a sure thing as you can get in the hospitality industry.
I agree with Ramer - I haven't played pool since I was about 12 (nothing against it) so I would stop in to check it out but would not anticipate spending much time or $$$ there.
ReplyDeleteYou guys had me going for a little while ..... the idea is closer to copslovedonuts really. We already have 11 big tables ready to go. If you have not played pool since you were 12 , give it a try again - we are not talking the backroom sleazy stuff of old. Turn on ESPN sometimes - 8 ball / 9 ball tournies. There are some serious players in Tampa - PROs and ametures. Leagues and small tournements are really a great way to spend some time with friends.
ReplyDeleteThought Viva la Frida's was back into staying open again ?
I wish you the best of luck in your endeavour. I was trying to open a brew pub/entertainment venue in the neighborhood and well, came across some obstacles.
ReplyDeleteThe first of which is available exisiting buildings to lease/buy and renovate. The existing buildings are primarily car lots or narrow retail space. My pockets weren't deep enough to buy/tear down/re-build. May not be a problem for you.
The next challenge was a lot with adequate parking. If there is square footage, there is limited parking. Neighbors won't like on street parking down the block from your establishment, with the added irritation of noise and trash.
The last point, CHURCHES. Not that I'm anti-god, but the county has regulations regarding the proximity of alcohol sales and churches and schools. Don't quote me, but your establishment must be at least 1000 feet from either, via the nearest practical walkway (down the sidewalk, take a right, go up the next sidewalk, etc.) VERY hard to find in this neighborhood.
I'm not giving up on opening a business in the neighborhood yet - but it's incredibly difficult to jump through the county hoops AND find a property that would suit. The more I look, the more it looks like about $1 million just to open.
My pockets aren't that deep. I'm not trying to discourage you, I'll fully support any type of business like you are trying to open (as long as it doesn't look like "Cheers" - just my taste) and if there is anything that I've come across in my research that I can share that will help you along the way, just let me know.
Perhaps you all should go to Pesto's a few blocks north of downtown across from Stetson and between Florida and Tampa St's. Food is great- just opened a month or so ago.
ReplyDeleteI would like to say that anyone who could muster the financial backing could count on an innovative and dedicated resturanteur like myself. I have recently been asking my new friends here in the neighborhood...."If we all want a 'cool place to hang out at in SESH, why not make one of our own'?" There is little reason why, with the right amount of money, and my experience and dedication that we can't create our own place here in the hood. So, if you are interested in investing in such a project that will clearly pay off, put a post into the message board. If you doubt the possibility, ask yourself why Starbucks would put a shop here and ask yourself where can you go to hang out on a nice evening to have a beer and a sandwich besides Front Porch, which I hear is nobody' favorite place to go? email me at ufparrothead@earthlink.net to hear more
ReplyDeleteI know this is WAY off topic, but at least another major paper got the real story on Kenny Rushing's mission. Hosue Hustling is now on the map, going national.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/4018642.html
Also check out www.househustling.com (still under concstruction)