I'm curious about the retail projects (that and newly opened/opening stores_ in downtown Tampa right now. I know there isn't much in the way of new stuff but I also realize that there has to be a change soon. With 350+ units of Skypoint, the units in Channelside and on Harbor Island, there's an imminent need for more shopping destinations and such in the downtown core.

Any new restaurants to speak of opening up or planned? What type of support businesses are immediately needed? Which businesses (if you know of any) already downtown will see a flurry in business once some of these new buildings open?

What is currently happening to Malio's in the now Sykes building? In the Grand Central there is going to be a Panera Bread, Lifestyles Fitness, and I would guess a Starbucks. As for Ventana I am not sure though. There is the Fly. Other than that I do not know of any other restaurants opening or other retail projects.

Channelside Title, LLC....is one business to mention. I plan on starting a Trendy Downtown Real-Estate Firm as well in the coming year.

Cool! I will probably be a frequent guest! When are you hoping to open?

Almost every downtown project has retail. I think Element, Skypoint, and Ventana all have around 15,000 square feet. Grand Central, T@C, and the Place have a lot more. Embassy Suites is supposidly getting a Starbucks (is it completed yet?). 1000 Channelside has a few store fronts too, though I'm not sure if they're occupied yet.

What about existing retail? Downtown establishments that have been there or that are opening shop in existing buildings? Mobster mentioned Malio's in the Sykes building...

And what does downtown need (Supermarket is arguable -- the Publix in Hyde Park is just across the river - though not the largest store in the world)

Well Grand Central is getting a grocery store, and Newks might be moving into the bottom of the Plaza at Channelside (not to be confused with the Place) if it gets built.

I don't know about any retail projects, but I wanted to put in my $0.02. Is it me, or anyone else getting sick of the occasional Starbucks and all? Why can't we add different shops, stores and restaurants? Like have a Smoothie Bar at Towers at Channelside or a shop that evrything is made out of chocolate? I'm not saying that Starbucks is bad or anything, but do we need 500983643721634 in Tampa? I was also thinking, if we had enough land space, build a 4 story mini mall on the northern tip of Channelside. :dunno:

There is already a really great chocolate shop in Channelside, Qachbal's. Great stuff. There is also a Starbucks and Joffery's.

I wouldn't mind diversity, but I'll be happy if anything makes it through the first few years. It was hard for Channelside.

across tampa bay, downtown st. petersburg is awash with downtown retail
open until late in the evening, wonderful restaurants, a movieplex, interesting galleries, coffee shops and the like. i hope that the same will occur for tampa very soon.

Cool! I will probably be a frequent guest! When are you hoping to open?

Well Currently Channelside Title, LLC is up and running, but it's in an office-suite in Riverview (Winthrop Town Centre) until some office space is available in the immediate Channelside vicinity. I plan on opening the Real-Estate/Investment Brokerage Firm early 2008 in the immediate Franklin Street district. I will defintley keep you posted! :)

From the tribune article i posted in the Tampa development thread here's the list of retailers in the new Embassy Suites in downtown. Opening November 2nd.....

When opened next month, the hotel will feature an upscale flower shop, a full-service Starbucks, a rental car agency, a swimming pool and Trolley American Cafe, a casual lunch spot that will transform into a higher-end restaurant at night.

From the tribune article i posted in the Tampa development thread here's the list of retailers in the new Embassy Suites in downtown. Opening November 2nd.....

When opened next month, the hotel will feature an upscale flower shop, a full-service Starbucks, a rental car agency, a swimming pool and Trolley American Cafe, a casual lunch spot that will transform into a higher-end restaurant at night.

Omg! A Starbucks? What is that?

See, I bet that there will be another 2 or 3 Starbucks to open up in Tampa and Channelside. If I was the trolley system, I would forbid for another Starbucks. Because if that happen, that will cause more people that will be living in Upper Channelside to use the trolley system to get their cup of Choco Choco Cappuchino

OMG I will be soo excited...I can get my Choco Choco Cappuchino everywhere downtown now!! Woo Hoo.

I hate Starbucks as much as the next person, but no one can argue that putting a Starbucks instantly brings consumer traffic to a certain area.

As to the shopping flow in and around the Grand Central area, I think most of the places like Eddie and Sam's or that Jamaican restaurant next to it are doing a good job of staying open late for patrons. However, we need MORE places next to them to make more of an eclectic scene. I think Skypoint will bring in a huge volume of people wandering around at night.

I hate Starbucks as much as the next person, but no one can argue that putting a Starbucks instantly brings consumer traffic to a certain area.

As to the shopping flow in and around the Grand Central area, I think most of the places like Eddie and Sam's or that Jamaican restaurant next to it are doing a good job of staying open late for patrons. However, we need MORE places next to them to make more of an eclectic scene. I think Skypoint will bring in a huge volume of people wandering around at night.
I know Stabucks is a big hit and wouldn't mind 2 or 3 in Tampa, but if there is 3 just on Channelside Street and was the trolley system, I would go to city council and forbid more than one Starbucks on their stretch. It will bring more popullarity to the trolley, increase profit and might be able to show that the trolley system needs to be stretch more. It is a simple thought that makes sense I think.

I would also like to see large retail in the coming years arrive in Tampa. If we get a new "huge" project, something like an rich clothing company or like that. Not saying make it like NYC with large Toys-R-Us or like that, but move up from the Quiksilver or Gaps.

I think that when all of the residential projects are done that are going to get built, I think that DT Tampa should put a mall in place of ConAgra, or even better put some shops in The Floridan. I think that a multilevel mall like that has never been proposed before. Or has it?

We also have to think that NYC has been building its skyline and economy before Tampa was even a city and before Florida was even a state, so of course we are far behind with building our skyline, infrastructure, and other vital services that would make Tampa more like NYC. I just can not wait to see what Tampa will look like in 5 years or even 10. I think that we will look back upon these times and been like wow look at how far we have come. There is only one way to go in DT Tampa and that is up. But only time and money will tell.

I think that when all of the residential projects are done that are going to get built, I think that DT Tampa should put a mall in place of ConAgra, or even better put some shops in The Floridan. I think that a multilevel mall like that has never been proposed before. Or has it?

THe Floridan is being restored into a hotel -- being returned to it's former glory. It's been mentioned on here numerous times. It's a sham to propose shopping overtake that building.

And if you've ever been to other cities, shopping and malls in large urban buildings are common (just look at LA downtown). Putting a mall in the ConAgra site is just silly... Especially with malls in Westshore (2), Citrus Park and Brandon already dividing retail in the area. Why propose more of the same? Why not actually encourage pedestrian traffic and support shops all around downtown instead of a glut in one location?

A mall isn't as bad as a Wal-Mart in terms of suffocating businesses, but to just centralize all retail into one building is bad if you want to liven downtown as a whole.

I agree. No mall. The closest thing that I could see being a success (in terms of encouraging an urban environment) is a "Walter's Crossing" with one or two box stores, a hand full of independent or small scale retails, a deli or small restaurant, and a grocery - this assuming GC fails to make good on their promise for one - until I see an open sign, I'm skeptical.

That sort of a medium-sized project in a high density layout - at least three levels - would be the absolute maximum. Ideally, it would work best as a pedestal for an office/hotel center.

THe Floridan is being restored into a hotel -- being returned to it's former glory. It's been mentioned on here numerous times. It's a sham to propose shopping overtake that building.

And if you've ever been to other cities, shopping and malls in large urban buildings are common (just look at LA downtown). Putting a mall in the ConAgra site is just silly... Especially with malls in Westshore (2), Citrus Park and Brandon already dividing retail in the area. Why propose more of the same? Why not actually encourage pedestrian traffic and support shops all around downtown instead of a glut in one location?

A mall isn't as bad as a Wal-Mart in terms of suffocating businesses, but to just centralize all retail into one building is bad if you want to liven downtown as a whole.


I am sorry I should have specified what type of mall, and I am going to rescind my previous statement about the Floridan. Now that I think about it I think that I would like to see a bunch of shops on Franklin where 112 is (that nasty club on Franklin) and in that neighborhood. I think that that club should be opened up and evicted to make way for a grocery store. Maybe or a large cafe (NOT STARBUCKS).

I agree. No mall. The closest thing that I could see being a success (in terms of encouraging an urban environment) is a "Walter's Crossing" with one or two box stores, a hand full of independent or small scale retails, a deli or small restaurant, and a grocery - this assuming GC fails to make good on their promise for one - until I see an open sign, I'm skeptical.

That sort of a medium-sized project in a high density layout - at least three levels - would be the absolute maximum. Ideally, it would work best as a pedestal for an office/hotel center.
I thought I put this in, but guess not.

I totally agree with a 3 story shopping plaza connected with a base of a Hotel project. It could do wonders for Channelside and the rest of the iner city. Since the Punlix idea was scrapped from an earlier project, this sort of project could bring a publix, no Wal-Mart, to the inner core

That would suck if they brought a Wal-Mart downtown.

^ A downtown Wal-Mart would be very ironic, seeing as how they typically build in a suburban location and kill downtown retail.

That would suck if they brought a Wal-Mart downtown.

This is RE: both you and Tallaman's post. Yeah, Wal-Mart is NOT what you want downtown. It's also an example of why a full scale mall downtown isn't something you want.

A Mall or Wal Mart are one stop shopping places that offer you everything you could possibly want to shop for in one location. Whereas a Mall is a virtual downtown with different franchises and stores taking up shop inside an owners building, Wal-Mart is one employer offering everything and anything in their own store. (I'm restating the obvious here, apologies).

With either -- it does stifle other business in the area. Mall's were looked at as downtown killers because they were situated in the suburbs and had everything under one roof while the same is said for Wal Mart. The difference between the two is that there are multitudes of different stores in a mall offering different (and the same) goods for different prices and what not. The stores have different policies and different standards and all that. Wal-Mart is one standard. One company. One policy. One payscale.

In either case, to revive downtown Tampa -- neither should be in place. While the multi-story shopping idea has merit, I don't think that it will be a good time for it in the next few years. It'll be the smaller stores that are most important to begin. While we talk about Starbucks or a supermarket, it'll be the specialty stores instead -- mom and pop delis and meat markets, boutiques and the like. With how empty downtown is at current, though, franchise retail (food and retail outlets) are missing a grand opportunity if they don't already have a presence in the downtown core -- the calm before the storm and all that.

Downtown Tampa's Franklin street was supposed to be an outdoor mall years ago. Franklin was open to pedestrian traffic only. As we all know. it did not work because no residents lived nearby and downtown basically closed after 5pm. Of course there were other factors at play also.

Now with the new residential developments nearby, the best thing IMO would be for the existing empty storefronts to naturally fill in and it will eventually provide a downtown commercial area of shops, restaurants etc. Hopefully most will be locals taking a chance.

Are they going to spruce up Franklin a little ? Admittedly, I haven't been downtown in a couple of years, at which time it appeared to be frozen in the 70's, what the the light fixtures and street furniture.

A couple of the new residential projects which are almost finished are directly on the northern part of Franklin street so that helps but it still alot of closed storefronts. It has a long way to go but the potential is there....I know that has been said for decades. The Tampa theatre which is a classic old theatre has its entrance right on Franklin. It is very attractive.

Franklin St. is now open to auto traffic and the road has been reconnected to the northern parts that were closed long ago.

I bet some of the same graffiti and old concert posters are still there from the 70's....:)

You know honestly, I think that the block that has the Club 112 on it should be shut down because it is attracting the wrong crowd downtown and that is not what the new condo residents want to deal with. I think that the whole block there needs to be revamped and there needs to be some serious consideration into what are tthe needs for these residents. They can not live off of the Fly and nothing else for long. A lot of them will tire of it and then they will have to drive for miles to find good food. Although, if they want a beer just go to The Hub.

I work downtown and walk on Franklin everyday for lunch. A lot of changes are taking place on that little stretch of road. the are adding business condos where the old Walgreens used to be and "the office" bar and grill has also set up shop!! further down, a thai rest is there. In order for that area to grow you need people who live there!! I would love to see something like lincoln road in south beach.

Welcome to the Forums. There are nearly a dozen or so condo projects planneed for the Franklin St. Corridor which could bring about 2000 or more residents within 5 years. I would love to see and I think could happen is have Franklin Street become the "backbone" of that part of downtown. Also they've unblocked the street so now it extends all the way through which encourages more people to go down there.

Besides the numerous retail oppurtunity in DT and Channelside, I think they should focus on bring back more retail in the Ybor area. Too many stores are closing and that should stop.

^well, whenever the city stops scaring away the Ybor "fanbase" that its resurgence was based upon, then maybe Ybor will stop withering away.

^well, whenever the city stops scaring away the Ybor "fanbase" that its resurgence was based upon, then maybe Ybor will stop withering away.

Thugs? or Artsie types? There seems to be an abundance of thugs in the late evenings.

Both really... Thugs are consumers too... And when not given something decent to do, they will generally revert to doing the very things that nobody wants them doing in other parts of the city...

I would like to see some really good resturants downtown. Cheesecake factory, and some good sushi!!

^^Restaraunts will come when more condo projects are completed and more people live in downtown. Almost every project has ground retail, even the smaller ones. I'm sure we'll have a nice number of resaraunts soon, especially in Channelside.:)

they need to build a movie theater downtown.. NO, not Tampa Theatre, an actual AMC or MUVICO theater that plays recent films, not that indy garbage. when a theater like that arrives, then people will come, and not only enjoy the movie, but will more than likely get their early and want to eat a restaurant (that should be developed) and drink coffee at a starbucks (that should be built) after the movie lets out.

^^They've got a theatre at Channelside. Its not a chain and it plays recent movies. It even plays some recent movies in IMAX and has the most comfortable seats of any theatre of its kind in the bay area that I've been to. And on top of all, it serves Starbucks while you watch your movie. ;)

Cee, you've gotta be kidding me with that slam on Tampa Theatre. There are AMC and Muvico chain theatres all over town that play first release movies. Tampa Theatre, the only remaining traditional (i.e. non-multiplex) theatre in the area, is really a treasure for its historical and architectural significance.

Most cities our size have more than one theatre that show independent, foreign, and classic movies on a regular basis. There is life beyond the mass-marketed Starbucks and AMC chains.

Thugs? or Artsie types? There seems to be an abundance of thugs in the late evenings.


Hey man - what you call Thugs and Artsie types I just call young kids. I don't know how old you are(or anyone on this forum is) but what you call thugs - I call kids just wanting to have a good time

^^ LOL - and then again it has been AGES since I have been to Ybor at night - so maybe I have no idea what I am talking about and you are dead on

they need to build a movie theater downtown.. NO, not Tampa Theatre, an actual AMC or MUVICO theater that plays recent films, not that indy garbage. when a theater like that arrives, then people will come, and not only enjoy the movie, but will more than likely get their early and want to eat a restaurant (that should be developed) and drink coffee at a starbucks (that should be built) after the movie lets out.
Good lord man, are you kidding me?

Good lord man, are you kidding me?

I refuse to believe he is serious. But just in case:

There is a 9 theater cinema located in Channelside with an IMAX. The theatre houses a Starbucks AND Westshore Pizza. Downstairs, Channelside has a Joeffery's coffee as well. The film plays a mix of mainstream and indie film. This weekend, for example, boasts an even handed lineup:

Deep Sea 3D IMAX (1 showing)
The Departed (4 showings)
Flags of Our Fathers (3 showings)
Flushed Away (5 showings)
Open Season IMAX (3 showings)
The Polar Express IMAX (3 showings - including midnights?!)
The Prestige (5 showings)
The Queen (7 showings - will be seeing this)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1 showing)
Running With Scissors (5 showings)
The Santa Clause 3 (6 showings - will be seeing this)
Saw III (6 showings)
Shortbus (7 showings - will be seeing this)

There is a 20 screen Muvico in Ybor City at Centro Ybor. You can access it, as well as Channelside, using the train system that runs through downtown. There is ALSO a Starbucks at Centro Ybor.

So... yeah... :bash:

i just want people in downtown.. is that too much to ask? as it stands, no one goes DT even with a Tampa Theatre.. i'm not saying tearing it down, i'm saying adding to it with other things surrounding it.. if you build a starbucks and another movie theater, people will come.. when people come, so will restaurants, shops, etc.

i'm sorry if i'm not a part of the crowd that likes DT to remain forever desolate and a haven for "those kinds of people" that many of you have described.

^^The problem is is that we already have theatres. We don't need more. Also this is an urbanist board. I doubt ANYONE on here wants downtown to be desolate. Tampa Theatre and Channelside are different and probaly attract different crowds. That's diversity. It sounds like you want a theatre and starbucks at every corner. That is not diversity, and won't attract many new people. How many people are going to go downtown to get a coffee? Besides the people that already work there, none. With more condos and diverse retail to the entire bay area, downtown will have not only people working there, but residents too.

We need something like Lincoln road in Miami. Lincoln road has everything!! It has Dept stores, resturants, specialty shops, awesome coffee shops, bookstores etc etc etc... I think that all of this will come once the demographic exists to support it. Once the ball starts rolling, Downtown will wake up!

i just want people in downtown.. is that too much to ask? as it stands, no one goes DT even with a Tampa Theatre.. i'm not saying tearing it down, i'm saying adding to it with other things surrounding it.. if you build a starbucks and another movie theater, people will come.. when people come, so will restaurants, shops, etc.

i'm sorry if i'm not a part of the crowd that likes DT to remain forever desolate and a haven for "those kinds of people" that many of you have described.

There is already a 9 screen theater downtown, and a 20 screen theater barely a mile away... How many screens at megaplexes do we need exactly in your vision of downtown?

We need something like Lincoln road in Miami. Lincoln road has everything!! It has Dept stores, resturants, specialty shops, awesome coffee shops, bookstores etc etc etc... I think that all of this will come once the demographic exists to support it. Once the ball starts rolling, Downtown will wake up!

Actually I'd rather not have it all on one street. I'd rather spread the love around a little bit, and attract people to all parts of downtown, not just one centralized road. Atleast not until we have a stable residential community downtown like Miami does. But I do agree that downtown will wake up with more people.

I'd love a Starbucks within walking distance of my job. We always complain that we need one. The biggest problem will be sustaining the business until there are enough residents. Any downtown store is basically open 8-5 on weekdays only. It isn't economically feasible to open beyond that.

Businesses that are downtown should do a better job of marketing themselves to the residents who do live nearby... Namely those at UT, Harbour Island and the westbank portion of Hyde Park. That's a market of several thousand well-to-do people.

^^ Well that and condos should be more affordable and i dont mean the ones that are 1bed/1bath 500sqft for $300,000. If we had more affordable units people, even families would consider living downtown especially people who commute from the burbs because out there they have cheaper housing. Maybe even those businesses could give discounts? Also for sure there needs to be a publix or something in downtown like st.pete has it that would be a big plus for getting residents who want to use their car less or having things closer.

2007 could prove to be a very interesting year of change and/or progress for downtown Tampa. Several major projects are scheduled to be completed including Grand Central, Skypoint, The Place 1, Ventana, and Towers of Channelside, bringing more than 1,000 new residents downtown in the next 12 months.

All of these developments are reportedly devoting a good portion of their first floors to retail. Thus far, not much has been officially announced or confirmed regarding exactly what retail will be going into these buildings.

Will Channelside finally get their grocery store? Will any casual chain restaurants venture into DT Tampa? Coffee houses and watering holes? :cheers:

Personally, can't wait for the changes to the Channelside area. 2006 has been a year of growing pains with closed streets, parking issues, and litter from all the construction workers. I'm hoping to see some new retail in the area by this time next year.

i think we need to devote a block for something like the CityWalk in downtown St. Pete or CityPlace in downtown west palm beach. that would instantly inject life into downtown, with hopes of nightlife "bleeding" into the channelside district as well as towards the Ice Palace.

Also, as Jasonhouse suggested, some of these establishments need to spend some hardcore marketing dollars towards residents of downtown. Maybe something along the lines of dropping coupons into each residents' mailbox, as well as drink specials, etc. Make it a real metropolitan feel. I'd be cool to have that sports bar off of Tampa St. (i think, forgot the name) to have crap like drink specials for college football games on sunday-- ya know, to bring out the residents of downtown for life during the daytime.

I don't think it's too much to also market to UT kids. in fact, i'm betting a lot of those condos will be rented out to UT kids, so you'll see a lot of these kids biking to class, injecting even more life into downtown during the weekdays.

Is it too much to ask for a Chili's or something of the sort in downtown?

^I think the steadily growing UT resident population is a major untapped resource for DT... Especially since UT expects to add a few hundred new students every year, for the forseeable future.


There is already a Bennigan's and Hooters at the Shops... Not sure if Beef O Brady's and Newk's are still open near the arena... Then of course there is Hattricks on Franklin and Champions in the Marriott lobby... That's 6 such establishments downtown... How many more are needed before people realize that such places already exist?

I'm not really understanding why everyone keeps acting like if a business basically isn't between Whiting/Ashley/Cass/Florida, then it isn't actually "downtown"... Downtown basically encompasses a square mile people. And a few years ago, nearly the entirety of it was DEAD AS A DOORNAIL. It's going to take a long time, with many street level businesses opening (and some closing), and several thousand residents moving into downtown before we start to see a real, meaningful, sustainable nieghborhood take shape. DT has a LONG way to go.


Again people... There are already businesses in existence... The problem isn't there not being anything to do. The problem is people not knowing it exists... As I said, the existing places need to do well before more will be built... So, if you want downtown to flourish, then patronize the places already there. Trust me, if the ones already there do well, more will inevitably follow.

Jesus, do you actually know anything about DT, cee?

A Chili's? What, half a dozen other sports bar chains not good enough for a relatively small area?

You already have the Channelside Complex downtown. Until there is an incremental growth in residents downtown, that's the most you're going to see. There just is not the demand for anything else yet.

btw Cee... Think about the establishments that you have suggested... A corporate multi-plex... A Starbucks... A Chili's.

Who goes to such places? Middle class folks, mostly suburbanites.

Why would people who live in neighborhoods which already have such establishments go through the hassle of driving downtown (and parking/walking), when they can just go to the one nearby? And as people have already pointed out, such places already exist downtown.

Downtown Tampa will not succeed at anything by emulating the cookie cutter culture found along Bruce B Downs Blvd, Citrus Park Dr, or Adamo Dr... Downtown doesn't need more of what it and the rest of the city already has... Downtown needs what it does not yet have... An identity all its own.

btw Cee... Think about the establishments that you have suggested... A corporate multi-plex... A Starbucks... A Chili's.

Who goes to such places? Middle class folks, mostly suburbanites.

Why would people who live in neighborhoods which already have such establishments go through the hassle of driving downtown (and parking/walking), when they can just go to the one nearby? And as people have already pointed out, such places already exist downtown.

Downtown Tampa will not succeed at anything by emulating the cookie cutter culture found along Bruce B Downs Blvd, Citrus Park Dr, or Adamo Dr... Downtown doesn't need more of what it and the rest of the city already has... Downtown needs what it does not yet have... An identity all its own.


The Channelside/Ice Palace area isn't what i'm talking about here. We need more life close to Ashley/Cass area in order for DT to come around full circle. as you've said, there are establishments in downtown, and we need to promote them.. HOWEVER, it's a little hard to promote these places WHEN THEY'RE NOT OPEN AT THE TIMES WE WANT THEM OPEN. most of these joints are open during the weekdays for the downtown workers to eat. on weekends, they are closed and do not have the ingenuity to promote any kind of weekend/weeknight event. the corporate chains like hooters, chili's, and bennigan's have the corporate dollars to stay open until 2AM every night and allow downtown residents and other patrons to dine in.

you claim that downtown tampa needs an identity aside from the cookie-cutter bruce b. downs/dale mabry strip mall haven.. but you need to understand that downtown tampa already HAS a separate identity.. IT'S DOWNTOWN. the skyscrapers overlooking the dishes on your table as you park on the side of the street and walk like a pedestrian to the restaurant is enough ambiance to get you to go downtown. if you provide locals with identifiable establishments, then they will go downtown. Mr. Jasonhouse's Pizza and Hot Dogs isn't gonna bring me downtown, but something like Chili's before a lightning game will.

For instance-- I went to Fly the other night. To be honest with you, I could've stayed in Brandon and eaten at a local establishment like O'Brien's that serves up your typical bar food while i down a beer and converse with friends.. but i headed to downtown.. why? because the ambiance. we stood on the balcony and overlooked downtown over a pint of Guiness :cheers: . Did Fly bring me there? NO. it was the atmosphere that did. you could've stuck anything there and i would've gone.

Now, i'm not saying that local joints are prohibited from the area, but chains are the easiest to instantly inject life into downtown.. with the chains come the local shops and whatnot that kind find their own niche.

The Channelside/Ice Palace area isn't what i'm talking about here. We need more life close to Ashley/Cass area in order for DT to come around full circle. as you've said, there are establishments in downtown, and we need to promote them.. HOWEVER, it's a little hard to promote these places WHEN THEY'RE NOT OPEN AT THE TIMES WE WANT THEM OPEN. most of these joints are open during the weekdays for the downtown workers to eat. on weekends, they are closed and do not have the ingenuity to promote any kind of weekend/weeknight event. the corporate chains like hooters, chili's, and bennigan's have the corporate dollars to stay open until 2AM every night and allow downtown residents and other patrons to dine in.

Its not the lack of coporate dollar that keeps places from staying open late downtown. It's the lack of people. Don't you think a Chilis' would close if it had no customers? People aren't going to drive Downtown to eat at Chilis' when there is one around the corner in the burbs. That is why you have to come up with something orginal, and different, or you can just build a bunch of residential units and fill em up. Not everyone is an urban ethusiast like people on these boards are. They don't go to partially dead Downtown for ambience. You are right about one thing in this paragraph, we need more life to Ashley and Cass, actually to all of Downtown.

Mr. Jasonhouse's Pizza and Hot Dogs isn't gonna bring me downtown, but something like Chili's before a lightning game will.

Did Fly bring me there? NO. it was the atmosphere that did. you could've stuck anything there and i would've gone.

That's contradictory and doesn't make since at all.

Bottom line, I agree with Jason here. Your Downtown can't be completely chains or there's nothing special about it. That's why establishmants like Newk's and Columbia are important. You can't get a Newks grouper sandwich in the burbs.

One thing that I will point out.... This area and this overall region (central Florida) has quite a smattering of restaurant chains of varying size HQed here... One thing that I think the city has done a piss poor job of doing is leaning on those corporate nieghbors to be a bit more 'pioneering' in opening establishments downtown... now granted, there wasn't exactly much of a residential market to cater to even 5 years ago... But there are more people around DT already, and regardless of what the overall market does, DT's residential market is going to continue to grow... As we move ahead, the city should take a leadership role in encouraging our local companies to invest in our city's future... Hell, if the existing tax and grant incentives aren't enough, then throw them a bone or two... JUST GET THE BALL ROLLING!

Look, the problem is that downtown has its elements too scattered. There i residential over there and hotels over here and business in that corner. They need to fill it in and Channelside is teh logical street to connect (at least in the south). Thankfully the city built a parking garage with no retail and no shade there - and another "VIP parking lot"

Nobody has mentioned the Tampa Club...

Just thought I would let everyone know there is a new Chinese and Sushi place on Morgan and Jackson. I tried it out for lunch today and it was pretty good!

Is that NYPD Pizza at Channelside near Hooters recently new? Because I have never seen it before. It's cool that it has delivery for the area.

Is that NYPD Pizza at Channelside near Hooters recently new? Because I have never seen it before. It's cool that it has delivery for the area.

ewww. Orlandoism spreading to tampa. :ohno:






I am just joking, so don't get all bent. :)

NYPD has been open a little more than a month, maybe two. Pretty decent pizza.

Is that NYPD Pizza at Channelside near Hooters recently new? Because I have never seen it before. It's cool that it has delivery for the area.

Yes it's new and they even deliver to the SoHo area where I live. :)

NYPD pizza is OK, but a bit pricey and not as good as Cappy's was at Azeele and Howard

NYPD pizza is OK, but a bit pricey and not as good as Cappy's was at Azeele and Howard


Cappy's still exists. It moved to Bay to Bay near Macdill and there is a new one on Florida in Seminole Heights.

NYPD pizza is OK, but a bit pricey and not as good as Cappy's was at Azeele and Howard

Agreed, tonyff67. NPYD pizza was very pricey and not that great as pizza's go... I much prefer Cappy's over NYPD -- just wish Cappy's delivered!

Eddy and Sams has great pizza downtown!!

Or Westshore pizza? I like it, anyway. Talk about a big deal, locally. 65 locations.

eddy and sams has the best pizza in tampa bay, Eddy and sams came from new york and they use new york water... next to jerk hut ck it out

eddy and sams has the best pizza in tampa bay, Eddy and sams came from new york and they use new york water... next to jerk hut ck it out

"And they use New York Water"?

When did we open a pipeline to the New York Aquifer here in the Tampa Bay area? I didn't know New York had been working on Water Tunnel # 4 to begin with -- let alone it reaching Tampa... :P

"And they use New York Water"?

When did we open a pipeline to the New York Aquifer here in the Tampa Bay area? I didn't know New York had been working on Water Tunnel # 4 to begin with -- let alone it reaching Tampa... :P

That's their story. It's actually is one of the better pies in town.

Website -- not so good.

http://www.eddieandsamspizza.com/

Hey, does that new "Chinese and sushi place" on Morgan deliver? I detest not being able to get Chinese delivered downtown, ever since the landlord kicked out that Vietnamese family who had the restaurant on North Franklin three years ago and change. Pizza's fine but I gotta have a lo mein!

Yes, they use new york water... and last time I checked you didnt need a pipeline to use water from anywhere. Bottled water ships just fine. Anyway, the new chinese place does deliver. I will get a telephone number when I go the next time and give it to you.

There is a new Tropical Smoothie Shop opening up on Franklin in the renovated 512 building. I just noticed a sign today.

is that before or after the Fly?

It is a little north of CVS.

That is awesome. Does it say when it will open?

Spare Retail Footage Downtown
http://media.tbo.com/photos/trib/2007/jan/0122str2.jpg
Developers of projects in downtown and the surrounding area, such as Parkside at One Bayshore, find it tough to lure retailers.

JAY NOLAN / Tribune

By SHANNON BEHNKEN The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jan 23, 2007

TAMPA - Downtown condos are opening their doors, people are trickling in, but the retail shops and restaurants that were promised to follow haven't arrived.

When the condominium tower Grand Central at Kennedy opens next month, its 100,000 square feet of ground-level retail space will be empty. It's not for lack of trying. Developer Ken Stoltenberg hoped Starbucks, Publix and high-end restaurants would flock to his downtown project.

After two unsuccessful years of trying to find retailers to lease the space, Stoltenberg's company, Mercury Advisors, has decided to sell them instead, as retail condos.

"At this point, retailers want to see the people move in before they commit," he said. "We're hoping that by owning, retailers will see this as an investment and that will turn around the thinking that the market is premature."

A handful of condominium towers are expected to open this year in downtown and the Channel District, and they're all competing for retail to provide services for residents and liven up the city. Some developers have tried leasing the space, and others are selling outright to business owners. Some try to sell their whole block of retail space to a management company and let it handle the leasing responsibility.

Until more people move in, however, persuading retailers to open up stores is a tough sell unless projects are in already developed parts of downtown.

Parkside's Troubles
Developers need only look to the 18-story Parkside of One Bayshore to see how tough it can be. The tower at Bayshore Boulevard and Platt Street opened nearly two years ago, and none of its 11,500 square feet of retail space has been leased. Developers say it's unclear how many people live there full-time.

The developer, Crescent Resources of Charlotte, N.C., has tried selling and leasing what it thought would be prime commercial real estate across from a popular Publix grocery store.

The first buyer couldn't close on the property and the second couldn't secure the right mix of renters, said Julie Weston, the developer's senior development coordinator. Crescent tried to find renters itself, Weston said, and businesses including coffee shops and dry cleaners have considered the space.

Some of those potential renters balked, however, because there wasn't yet a critical mass of people living downtown, Weston said.

In a few years, that may change dramatically.

There are 600 people living in downtown Tampa right now, according to the Tampa Downtown Partnership, which projects a doubling of residents by the end of this year. The group doesn't make long-term projections, but commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield forecasts 5,000 residents by the end of 2008 and 7,500 by the end of 2010.

There's a lot of retail space to fill. Right now, there's 305,000 square feet of retail space in downtown, including the Channelside entertainment complex, which takes up most of that space, according to Cushman & Wakefield. By the end of 2010, the firm projects that number to double, primarily because developers plan more than three dozen condo projects in the area.

Patrick Berman, senior director at the firm, said condo developers will continue to have problems until more people move into downtown.

"Downtown is not a proven retail market," he said.

One problem is investors, Berman said.

Retailers are unsure how many investors purchased condo units and whether those units will have full-time residents who could become customers.

"It's difficult to lease space now for a condo that's not built yet," he said. "And when you have a condo that's only half occupied, its retailers aren't that interested."

Crescent's search for retailers may soon be over. Weston wouldn't name the company, but she said a buyer is expected to close on the retail space this month and lease it out.

"We're holding our breath," Weston said. "It's a really good location."

Part of the reason downtown's retail market is so sparse, industry experts say, is because some businesses are waiting to see how many of the dozens of planned condo projects are built.

As a result, it may be easier for condo projects in more developed sections of downtown, such as the Channel District, to attract businesses.

A Mix At Channelside
Michael McGuinness, a developer of The Towers at Channelside across the street from the Channelside entertainment complex, said he sold all of his 3,800 square feet of retail space two years ago. Residents are expected to begin moving in this summer, and while the retail owner hasn't announced tenants yet, McGuinness said he's confident the space will be filled.

The buyers were a mix of people who want to run businesses there and those who hope to lease it out. He said he's been told a locally owned health club, lounge and small restaurants may move in.

It's not just developers who want these kinds of businesses in their buildings. The city does, too, said Michael Chen, a city manager. To help developers, the city offers density incentives on buildings that include some types of retail.

Retail will improve the atmosphere of the city by attracting people to downtown after business hours, Chen said.

Stoltenberg of Grand Central at Kennedy started marketing his retail space this month and said he expects it to take two to three years for the retail to thrive.

While national retailers tend to prefer to lease space, local ones sometimes want to buy, Stoltenberg said.

"I decided to do this because I was approached by businesses," he said. "They said they don't want to take the chance on the rent skyrocketing in two years when downtown is bustling."

The SkyPoint condominium, under construction on Ashley Street, is expected to be finished this spring.

The development company, Novare-intown Tampa Development LLC, plans to build another condo tower and a condo and hotel building in the same area downtown. Some retail is planned for all three.

Novare-intown's Greg Minder said his company has deals in the works with retailers for SkyPoint but would not provide details. He acknowledged retailers' reluctance but said that will change over the next two years as more people call downtown home.

"Homes and families and disposable income need to come to downtown Tampa for nights and weekends in order for the retail market to change."

Reporter Shannon Behnken can be reached at (813) 259-7804 or sbehnken@tampatrib.com.

http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGBJ7DZS9XE.html

Getting down to brass tacks, as a business owner it boils down to the expense of down town retail space vs traffic and profitability. The space is by no means cheap or even for that matter affordable so one must be able to have certain assurances of consumer traffic and demand. Its not going to be the market where new business owners are going to be able to make a go of it without a substantial financial backer. So, the only hope really in my mind is going to be to get various anchors in there to bring people, and stability. I stand by my desire to see a multiple floor complex with a Target, Publix, etc... with adequate multilevel parking. If you can get the new residents and residents from surrounding areas there for that, smaller more unique businesses will stand a far better chance.

:applause: +1

That is def the smartest thing they could do have a major retailer there for all the basic needs right in DT, and that would make it alot more beneficial and assuring of the business success for the smaller retailers and specialty shops, a nice multi-level like the Target on dale mabry would be real nice but a little more upscale and quality-designed of course...an IMAX or adult-targeted cinema right there would also be real nice..not sure if there are any down here in florida, im sure there are, BUt back in new haven,. CT where im from they are completely renovating the downtown area, which YALE UNIVERSITY pretty much runs now...nothing like it is here but enough to see the major changes in that city..and of the biggest things there was next to the newly -remodeled outside mall is the new adult cinema where they play martini nites with the old flicks on certain nite of the week, they usually have the artsy and cultural new films as well as some of the blockbusters and the wealthier people love it it gets packed..and because it looks so upscale although only $12.00 incl. valet parking the younger crowd tends to stay away.. i feel that something like that would be a bit better then a regular cinema would.. fits the area better..

adult cinema. that has such an awful connotation, lol.

channelside serves as the "indie" theatre for tampa now... scary as that is.... no thanks to hyde park closing. their current selection isn't so indie, though. i worked at channelside as a sup. and liked it enough, but they aren't doing their part of the deal and bringing truly independent films to the area other than the occasional festival showing - shortbus showed as part of the tgliff which was a big deal, but still.

another theatre might not work. with the improv doing only modest business and channelside pretending to occupy the film niche, good luck with it. i want more theatre, but im not sold. there is no market for it right now.

:applause: +1

That is def the smartest thing they could do have a major retailer there for all the basic needs right in DT, and that would make it alot more beneficial and assuring of the business success for the smaller retailers and specialty shops, a nice multi-level like the Target on dale mabry would be real nice but a little more upscale and quality-designed of course...an IMAX or adult-targeted cinema right there would also be real nice..not sure if there are any down here in florida, im sure there are, BUt back in new haven,. CT where im from they are completely renovating the downtown area, which YALE UNIVERSITY pretty much runs now...nothing like it is here but enough to see the major changes in that city..and of the biggest things there was next to the newly -remodeled outside mall is the new adult cinema where they play martini nites with the old flicks on certain nite of the week, they usually have the artsy and cultural new films as well as some of the blockbusters and the wealthier people love it it gets packed..and because it looks so upscale although only $12.00 incl. valet parking the younger crowd tends to stay away.. i feel that something like that would be a bit better then a regular cinema would.. fits the area better..

There already is an IMAX at the Channelside theatre, maybe a couple. Ybor has the "adult" cinema.

I wish downtown would get a flagship Abercrombie & Fitch store. Oh I'm getting excited just thinking about it.

Yea im still learning whats where, and completely forgot there was an IMAX at channelside, ive also heard about the cinema in YBOR, ...Although NOW it doesnt seem like such a good investment, i think later on in a few years once the DT night scene starts taking off, people who live in DT and just want to go out and walk to a cinema would like it heres the link to the one i was mentioning earlier...

http://www.criterioncinemas.com/info.htm

heres an outside shot:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/italiangerry/Cinemas/CriterionCinemasNewHavenCT.jpg

That is awesome. I love the signage. Very unique. Is that in DT New Haven.

yea thats in DT new Haven, CT its actually alot nicer in Person and at night looks 2X better, of course a newer version in Tampa im sure would look alot better, the design in DT new haven is 1/2 modern/ classic with Yale being a major influence in DT projects...but its a different cinema experience you know...
what are the chances of something like this happening in ither DT or channelside i bet slim to none huh

http://www.thepieratcaesars.com/

Here comes the Starbucks........:horse:

2 Hotels Betting Starbucks Will Perk Up Downtown


JULIE BUSCH / Tribune


By SHANNON BEHNKEN The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jan 25, 2007



TAMPA - For two years, Starbucks Coffee Co. has received call after call from condo developers pitching their buildings as the best place for the company to make its debut in downtown Tampa.

The megachain said "not yet" to every request.

"Right now, Tampa doesn't have enough people downtown to support Starbucks after 5 p.m. and on the weekends," said Angie Kenyon, director of new store development in Florida for Starbucks. "We don't want to go in prematurely."

Meanwhile, two hotels have beaten the developers at their own game. By figuring out a way to open a downtown Starbucks anyway, they may have frustrated the hopes of some condo project owners who had planned to be among the first to turn their street-level retail space into trendy downtown gathering spots.

Embassy Suites won the race by purchasing a licensing agreement. By doing so, it's willing to take on the financial risk and staffing responsibilities to open a store that, to the average consumer, looks like the chain-owned Starbucks they're used to seeing.

Typically, Starbucks stores are corporate-owned, and downtown stores are rare. Miami is the only major city in Florida that has them, and at least one developer in Jacksonville is coaxing a Starbucks by subsidizing the rent.

For an undisclosed fee, however, Starbucks will let some companies open licensed stores, and hotels are well-positioned for this strategy. They view Starbucks as an amenity and can afford the risk. Developers' primary goal is to fill space, not run cafes.

"For a hotel, it's a small piece of their project; it's nothing for them," Kenyon said. "They make their money on hotel rooms, not selling coffee."

Starbucks shops succeed in hotels, said Richard Parks, vice president of business development of WPM Construction LLC, which built and owns the downtown Embassy Suites. He said he expects the Tampa store to be profitable. The Embassy Suites is near the Tampa Convention Center and close to the Harbour Island neighborhood.

"The brand recognition and the quality of the product is second to none," Parks said, noting that his company has opened Starbucks at hotels in Plantation and in Chicago and Merrillville, Ind., where WPM is based.

The 1,000-square-foot Starbucks is expected to open in early March and would include sidewalk seating as well as seating in the hotel lobby. The store would sell company merchandise and include the same comfortable chairs and bright colors as other Starbucks.

Kiosk To Expand Into Store
Even though there's no Starbucks in downtown Tampa, there are a few places to find the brand of coffee. The Hyatt Regency Tampa runs a kiosk in its lobby. The stand, which offers most of the drinks and pastries found in Starbucks stores, has been so successful that the Tampa Street hotel is negotiating a licensing agreement to operate a store.

There also are small kiosks at the Tampa Waterside Marriott and the Tampa Convention Center.

David DiSalvo, director of sales and marketing at the Hyatt, said hotel guests and downtown workers often line up for coffee in the morning and after lunch.

Starbucks is known as much for its trendy, linger-awhile atmosphere as for its coffee, DiSalvo said.

The stores have become de facto meeting rooms for many corporate business people, and some downtown workers have been wishing for such a place within walking distance.

Chris Griffin, a lawyer, works at the Foley & Lardner law firm and sometimes meets clients on his way to work at the Starbucks on Bay to Bay Boulevard.

The Hyatt kiosk is across the street from his office, and he often stops by for an afternoon jolt of espresso. He'd spend more time there, he said, if it were a regular Starbucks.

"I'm always amazed that there's not one downtown," Griffin said. "By the time I get to my office downtown, my coffee is cold and I have to microwave it."

Starbucks has nearly 300 corporate-owned stores in Florida, and has focused heavily on suburban areas and neighborhoods near downtown business districts.

Kenyon, of Starbucks, said opening stores in Florida's downtowns is part of the company's strategy, but it wants to wait until the retail markets mature, such as in Miami.

"The timing has to be right," Kenyon said. "We want to study what condos get built, where the people live and where people hang out. We don't want to be two blocks away from where the excitement is."

City developers acknowledge that this is a smart way to do business. However, Michael Chen, a Tampa city manager, said he knows Starbucks can do so much to help a city grow just by being there.

In Jacksonville, an aggressive condo developer managed to persuade Starbucks to open a store by subsidizing the rent.

The Vestcor Companies tried for years to find the right tenants for its 11 East Forsyth condo in downtown Jacksonville. The retail space remains empty but Starbucks plans to open soon.

Vestcor wanted Starbucks to open a corporate store, but was told the city wasn't ready, said Severina Menor, development manager for the company. The coffee company changed its mind, however, when Vestcor offered a deep discount on the rent.

"If you offer a good enough incentive, your target audience will respond to it," Menor said, declining to provide details on the rent arrangement. "In Tampa, it's a matter of how willing the developers are to stretch to get what they want."

Kenyon said she thinks the Jacksonville Starbucks will do well, but said the company wouldn't want to take the risk without the subsidy.

New Condos May Spring For Coffee
In Tampa, seven of the nearly three dozen proposed condos are expected to open this year. They all plan thousands of square feet of retail space.

Would any of those condo developers be willing to take on financial risk or cut into their own bottom line in order to lure Starbucks?

Maybe, said Bill Ware, a developer building Ventana, two 84-unit condos at Channelside Drive and Kennedy Boulevard. The first building is to be completed in May.

"For the name recognition, I would be willing to negotiate with Starbucks to get them in early," Ware said. "I'm inclined to do what I can to help get Starbucks if that's what my buyers want."

Ken Stoltenberg with developer Mercury Advisors said he would love to have a Starbucks at his Grand Central at Kennedy project but isn't willing to offer a subsidy to attract one. If Starbucks isn't willing to make the investment, maybe he shouldn't either, he said.

It may be a good thing for condo developers if they're not the first to open a Starbucks.

"If they do well in the hotels, maybe Starbucks will open more," Stoltenberg said.

Reporter Shannon Behnken can be reached at (813) 259-7804.

http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGB454UOCXE.html

I knew the day would come....:bash:

Interesting read.

Starbucks are fine and would be a great addition to Channelside, but are they still "trendy" as mentioned in the article? They seem about as trendy as McD and W-Mart these days. I can also go to borders, drink coffee and read books for free (!!!) but I don't think its trendy.

I personally think this is good. While Starbucks is a massive chain, it is one associates with urban areas quite often. I think it is a good sign that it is willing to invest in downtown. As long as there are other coffee stores, like Joferey's at Channelside, and doesn't become a monoploly of Starbucks it should be positive and create some foot traffic.

Starbucks is trendy because people who consider themselves trendy and enlightened pay too much for low quality there . . . that is the very definition of trendy

I think its a great addition, even though like it was said its not really trendy anymore, and the coffee is overpriced and not that great, BUT people do go there and feel like they are at a premium coffee hangout spot...and to me its a def. good addition to the area, with them IN i think it will be a bit easier to pull IN some other smaller boutiques to the area as well,

I personally think this is good. While Starbucks is a massive chain, it is one associates with urban areas quite often. I think it is a good sign that it is willing to invest in downtown. As long as there are other coffee stores, like Joferey's at Channelside, and doesn't become a monoploly of Starbucks it should be positive and create some foot traffic.

The ultimate crux of the article is that Starbucks was not willing to invest in downtown... that's why the hotels are having to build and operate the Starbucks themselves via the liscensing agreements they signed to do so.



But regardless of how or why, it is a notable step forward for DT.

Sort of a cross post from the SkyPoint thread, but here she goes. The people behind Fly are putting in a fine dining restaurant at SkyPoint. Not sure what space they will have (is there a spot facing Franklin? That would make the most sense.). The restaurant will be called River. No firm word on an opening date, but I think it will be built out after the building is completed. That would probably mean Q3 or Q4.

Not disputing your claim, jonknee, but just wondering the source of your information?

If indeed there is a restaurant going into Skypoint called "River," my guess would be that it would be on Ashley facing West towards the Hillsborough River.

If indeed there is a restaurant going into Skypoint called "River," my guess would be that it would be on Ashley facing West towards the Hillsborough River.

Duh. I was just thinking Franklin because of all the stuff going in there and Fly/Ground both being on Franklin. But yea, no brainer that it would be on the other side.

Duh. I was just thinking Franklin because of all the stuff going in there and Fly/Ground both being on Franklin. But yea, no brainer that it would be on the other side.

Well Skypoint doesn't front Franklin it wouldn't go there.;) I think it would go good on Ashley. It'd get some people walking around on one of Downtown's main streets. Which it should do considering the success of Fly with no large residential towers on top of it. Then when TWELVE comes we'll have a real streetscape on that part of Ashley.

It'd get some people walking around on one of Downtown's main streets. Which it should do considering the success of Fly with no large residential towers on top of it. Then when TWELVE comes we'll have a real streetscape on that part of Ashley.

I've been amazed at Fly's success for having very few close-by residents. Not sure where everyone is coming from, but it's pulling in a big crowd every weekend.

And also good point about Franklin, I was thinking about Element. In any event, it's all real close. Hopefully there will be some more foot traffic. I don't like walking over to Fly alone because there is no one around and it's a bit sketchy.

Another Starbucks article...

Starbucks Proposal Is Grinding Along

By MICHAEL H. SAMUELS The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jan 27, 2007



For more than two years, John Lum has wanted to build a Starbucks on Kennedy Boulevard.

The developer said he owns the perfect location, 1600 W. Kennedy Blvd., but is having problems with the city's transportation department.

"It's been a nightmare," said Lum's representative, Steve Michelini.

Michelini said original plans included a 3,000-square-foot office building to go along with the about 2,000-square-foot coffee shop with drive-through.

He said Lum, of LIST Group, scrapped the office building plans to try to comply with city demands.

"We've changed the site plan a lot," Michelini said.

The city council is set to consider the project Feb. 8.

Michelini said city officials are opposed to a drive-through, even though surrounding fast-food restaurants have drive-through windows.

Lum said his project, which would replace the Advantage Motors car lot, fits what the city has been seeking with its Kennedy corridor redevelopment.

"I promised [Councilwoman] Linda Saul-Sena five or six years ago that one day we'd have coffee on Kennedy Boulevard," Lum said. "I'm hoping in February we'll have all these issues resolved."

Transportation manager Roy LaMotte said the main issue between Lum and city staff is how the business would affect the area, which will determine the fees the developer must pay the city.

LaMotte also said there are questions about traffic on neighborhood roads.

"Our decisions are always based on protecting the neighborhoods," he said.

Reporter Michael H. Samuels can be reached at (813) 835-2109 or msamuels @tampatrib.com.

http://southtampa.tbo.com/southtampa/MGBVA7S0FXE.html

Eh.

Speaking of interesting coffee shops, on Adamo just before it splits into Channelside and Nuccio Parkway, they put in this almost portable-looking drive thru coffee place. It's an interesting little thing, for sure...

Eh.

Speaking of interesting coffee shops, on Adamo just before it splits into Channelside and Nuccio Parkway, they put in this almost portable-looking drive thru coffee place. It's an interesting little thing, for sure...

I don't think it will work. It looks like maybe one person could fit in there...who came up with that crazy idea?????

I don't think it will work. It looks like maybe one person could fit in there...who came up with that crazy idea?????

There was a super small drive thru coffee stand in North Tampa (not sure if it's still around) called Cool Mo's. It doesn't take a lot of space to make coffee. And as long as there aren't a lot of options, like there are at Starbucks, it's a pretty quick transaction. The rent's gotta be low at least!

They must have just put the building up. I drove by last week and it just looked like a small driveway had been paved.
You must think of Indigo coffee on Howard/Armenia and MLK exits off of 275. It is the same thing, just a drive-thru/walk-up coffee place and it has been around for a few years.

i have spoken with a couple people involved with skypoint as well as a friend who knows the owner of fly very well and they have all said that indeed there will be a sister restaurant to fly in skypoint

This coffee stand is like the size of a toll booth...talk about a cramped work space...

I think the long awaited retail boom in downtown is coming....

Alessi Eyes Downtown Location

By JOSE PATINO GIRONA The Tampa Tribune

Published: Feb 3, 2007

TAMPA - Phil Alessi says many downtown workers make daily treks to his family's bakery in West Tampa.

Now he wants to make it more convenient for them.

Alessi said he is negotiating a lease to open Alessi Bakery Cafe at Tampa Street and Kennedy Boulevard, next to Colonial Bank.

The cafe will sell sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups, coffee, cookies and cupcakes. It will seat 50 and be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sandwiches and pastries will be prepared on site, and the 15-employee restaurant will offer delivery to downtown businesses, Alessi said.

"We feel that downtown is ready," said Alessi, 62, whose family's business, 2909 W. Cypress St., was founded in 1912.

The project is another sign that downtown is gaining investors' attention, said Paul Ayres, marketing and business development director for the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

There are about 66,000 workers in downtown, Ayres said. The organization's boundaries include North Boulevard, Interstate 275, and the Garrison and Ybor channels.

Ayres anticipates downtown's population will double from 600 this year.

"We anticipate more of these exciting announcements as people continue to move in," he said.

Alessi said he wants to expand the cafe concept to Plant City in the summer and to St. Petersburg's Bayside in a year.

He operated Alessi's Beignet Cafe in Ybor City for about four years before closing it in 2004. Alessi said he wanted to extend the lease to create another restaurant, but the city declined.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 835-2110 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

http://centraltampa.tbo.com/centraltampa/MGBR8282PXE.html

Great News. It is high time for some more unique places to move downtown. We've got a few, but not to much to brag about.

I was downtown this afternoon, there are a ridiculous number of "for lease" signs around channelside, and an embarassing number of seemingly abandoned [historic] buildings that would make for a pleasantly unique location for a business. Hopefully Aryes (^^) prediction is accurate:

"We anticipate more of these exciting announcements as people continue to move in," he said.

Great News. It is high time for some more unique places to move downtown. We've got a few, but not to much to brag about.

I was downtown this afternoon, there are a ridiculous number of "for lease" signs around channelside, and an embarassing number of seemingly abandoned [historic] buildings that would make for a pleasantly unique location for a business. Hopefully Aryes (^^) prediction is accurate:

"We anticipate more of these exciting announcements as people continue to move in," he said.

I am looking for office space down in Channelside. However, I am looking to purchase rather then lease.

Grand Central might be your bet if they end up selling the spaces.... probably a bit expensive, though....

Awesome... This is what I have been advocating for some time now... For our local retail players to step up and make a commitment to the city that has helped make them what they are.

It IS exciting that local Tampa favorites such as Alessi and Malio's are making the move to downtown. Any major city can have a Starbuck's on every other corner, but these guys are the types of businesses that help differentiate our city from the others. :cheers:

I wonder what's going on with the old CDB's space downtown? Seems like a prime location for another local restauranteur to step in and step up.

THe old CDB space is the rubble where 610 Franklin is supposed to go. . . .

It IS exciting that local Tampa favorites such as Alessi and Malio's are making the move to downtown. Any major city can have a Starbuck's on every other corner, but these guys are the types of businesses that help differentiate our city from the others. :cheers:

I wonder what's going on with the old CDB's space downtown? Seems like a prime location for another local restauranteur to step in and step up.

Very true you get Malio's down there along with Alessi's and get 2-3 spanish restaurants in the mix, that is all what Tampa'a cuisine is about.

You have to believe that could be the catalyst for like a Blue Martini-some cafe-cigars bars and even 3-4 more Fly type bars all on the Franklin..

I do not think that the area pop would be able to fill a Blue Martini. Maybe I am wrong, but I just do not see it happening. I want to know what CDB is.

Nope... Such places won't thrive unless Franklin St becomes some sort of second coming of 7th Ave... But with competing entertainment enclaves already in existence, it willbe even more unlikely for Franklin St to redevelop in such a way.

I do not see it ever happening. Now I can see like a Cheesecake Factory or a Barnes and Noble or Borders.

Cheesecake has (literally) over-saturated the market with two locations.... something like it is a huge stretch given the recent track record of the neighborhood. If anything goes in, it will be local and entrepreneurial, not national.

Eventually something along the lines of a Blue Martini probably will show up. Especially if Novare continues its rapid expansion throughout the Franklin Streeet corridor. There will be a population base to support it. Then add in Trump and/or Venu. Now I'm not talking soon, more like around 5 years.

I'm still curious to know if there is any appreciable effect on local retail from the UT student population?

It seems that with all of the dorms popping up now and in the future, that it is a generally untapped resource.

I'm still curious to know if there is any appreciable effect on local retail from the UT student population?

It seems that with all of the dorms popping up now and in the future, that it is a generally untapped resource.

I am surprised that the triangular building that forks off Kennedy from some other road isn't full. Especially since all of the office workers and the students that you mentioned. I think as the school countinues to expand we could see added retail. If that area had more, people to go along with its nice builds it could and will be a very cool part of town.

A lot of fluff here, but it's downtown retail, so I'd thought it's fit in.

The Thai Is Now For Eatery Owners

By JANIS D. FROELICH The Tampa Tribune

Published: Feb 10, 2007


Finishing up after the lunch hour rush, Rungthip Uttankanchana excused herself to run outside and feed quarters to the parking meter.

Such is the routine of a downtown business owner trying to keep a new place running.

"I got a ticket just last Friday," she said after returning from the street. Scrunching up her nose, she added, "$25."

Uttankanchana and her cousin Viriya Chaisurivirat opened Thai Corner Restaurant last summer next to the Tampa Theatre, a spot that has proved to be a black hole for restaurants. Five eateries have come and gone in about five years, including Franklin Street Sushi, which closed last year after a one-year stay.

The two women are determined to change the luck on the spot at 713 N. Franklin St., flanked also by The Hub bar.

There is much change in the area, a few blocks from the central hub of downtown workers, and construction on condominium projects is evident nearby. But many retail spaces remain empty.

The quietness of Thai Corner's location is a change for the cousins, both raised in Bangkok, which has about 7 million people. They also both worked at a relative's Thai restaurant in downtown St. Petersburg.

"There were a lot more people walking around in St. Petersburg," Uttankanchana said.

But when the Tampa location became available, the cousins liked the idea of starting their own place.

Uttankanchana, 29, who emigrated from Thailand in 2001, and Chaisurivirat, 24, who moved to the United States in 1998, recently secured a beer and wine license.

They said selling beverages such as the Thai beer Singha and Japanese sake will help as they expand evening hours and begin opening on Sundays when movies play next door.

They want to add sushi to the menu, but because the fish needs to be fresh, they won't do so until business increases.

"We have a very good lunch business," said Uttankanchana, who brings her 2-year-old daughter, Irena Garza, to work. Her aunt Sunee Uttankanchana is the cook.

The two owners giggle when asked whether they cook.

"Appetizers, maybe," Chaisurivirat said. "We could probably do the curries, but it's best we are not cooking here."

They softened the look of the restaurant's interior, adding fresh red and pink carnations to each table, red tablecloths and lots of plants to offset the creamy, bamboo-decorated main wall.

"We wanted romantic and nice," Uttankanchana said.

Thai Corner is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with extended dinner hours until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For information, call (813) 228-6801.

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.

http://southtampa.tbo.com/southtampa/MGBUGJ97ZXE.html

I'm still curious to know if there is any appreciable effect on local retail from the UT student population?

It seems that with all of the dorms popping up now and in the future, that it is a generally untapped resource.

I rarely run into UT students when I'm out and about around downtown. It seems kind of a closed system. I'm guessing a lot of the students don't have cars so they stay on campus. So maybe a restaurant with late night delivery service to UT could work. Something different than pizza.

I was thinking about going to the Hyatt Regency bar since UT has a couple of floors there to house students, but I haven't done that yet. My luck and the UT students will be banned from the bar. ha.

that triangular building is one of my favorites in tampa

It's just east of Downtown on that lot that Wal-Mart wanted so I am listing it here:

IKEA coming to Tampa (http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/newswire/story/ikea-opening-in-tampa/)

TAMPA – Fans of the Swedish retailer IKEA will soon be able to shop at the quirky assemble-it yourself store in Ybor City.

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and city officials are expected to announced at 2 p.m. that the iconic blue-and-yellow warehouse will be located at 22nd Street and State Road 60. It’s expected to open by 2009.

The Tampa announcement brings to three the number of Florida locations for the seller of low-cost Scandinavian furniture and housewares. Stores in Orlando and Sunrise are under construction.

Until then, shoppers will have to rely on the Internet or a road trip to the closest store in Atlanta. Opened in 2005, the 366,000-square-foot store there serves as an anchor for the Atlantic Station urban mixed-used development.

Construction of the Tampa store may begin next spring, with the opening tentatively set for the summer of 2009, according to a press release.

The company will be seeking approvals and infrastructure improvements from the city before beginning construction, according to the release.

IKEA showrooms are built around furnished spaces that simulate different areas of a home. The settings include furnishing, lighting and decorating suggestions.

Furniture typically is packed flat in boxes. Customers are expected to pick up purchases in a self-service area, take them home and put them together on their own.

The company promotes its family-friendly atmosphere, including a supervised playroom and demonstration toys in the children’s department. Stores also include restaurants serving breakfast and lunch, including an assortment of Swedish and daily specials made from local produce.

I love IKEA it is about time... I wonder why it takes them so long to build stores though?

I'm still curious to know if there is any appreciable effect on local retail from the UT student population?

It seems that with all of the dorms popping up now and in the future, that it is a generally untapped resource.

I will let you know cuz I'm attending UT in August. =)

I love IKEA it is about time... I wonder why it takes them so long to build stores though?

They have to get the property rezoned, purchase it, build a 350,000 square foot retail store (the largest in the entire Tampa Bay area, by far), hire 400 people and open the store. It's not a small task. They don't open stores as fast as Wal-Mart, only a handful a year.

^yep... Their stores are huuuugggeee.... People who have never been just have no idea...


My main question is... How hard will it be to replace the entire city council when they go ahead and approve a site plan which is comprised of IKEA, and then 15 acres of surface parking between the store and Adamo?... I'm all for new development in the city, so long as it is actually urban and vibrant, and not just a suburbanized cookie cutter solution to a unique site.

I heard the building is supposed to be five stories tall...

And the surface parking zone is what was bothering me about the announcement. This would go over better in west Tampa

Well, why can't they build a large garage?

How many cars does the average garage in Ybor hold?

They should try and integrate as much of a parking deck as possible.... eh.

IKEA stores are HUGEE!!, there was one in CT before i moved down here, and i actually bought a few things there, they are pretty cheap and the stuff is uniquely and simply designed. I think its perfect for it being close to the DT area.

I'm not a coffee drinker myself, so a new Starbucks in DT Tampa is not a big deal for me. However, I understand that it's a big deal for most people, and there is a certain status attached. So...

Downtown Tampa milestone: a Starbucks
Tampa Bay Business Journal - 10:25 AM EDT Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Starbucks has finally come to downtown Tampa.

It opened Tuesday in the lobby of the Embassy Suites Hotel Tampa-Downtown and will be operated by the hotel.


The street level café, located at the corner of Franklin Street and Channelside Drive, features an outdoor seating area with tables, free wireless Internet service and Starbucks beverages. Customers can place orders from the hotel lobby or access Starbucks from a street front entrance.

Seattle-based Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) has 20 stores in Tampa, but this is the first one in the immediate downtown area. There is also a store in Ybor City and one at Tampa General Hospital on Davis Island.

Tampa's newest Embassy Suites, a 20-story, 360-guest suite hotel, is across the street from the Tampa Convention Center and connected to it by a skywalk.

Operating hours for the Starbucks are 5:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. daily, with extended hours during special events held at the nearby Tampa Convention Center and St. Pete Times Forum.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2007/04/02/daily26.html?jst=b_ln_hl

Whatever and blah blah blah about Starbucks, but I ate at Thai Corner last week and they are going to be fairly strong contenders for best Thai in Tampa. Without question they have the best Tom Kha Gai anywhere in the South Tampa/Downtown area (I don't eat out in the burbs). My girlfriend raved about the Crab Rangoon (her favorite appetizer). Most entrees are under 10 dollars. If they can survive long enough for people to start moving in at Skypoint and elsewhere in downtown I think they'll make a long-term go of it. Channelside residents would be well advised to check the place out over Thai Thani, which I've always found overpriced for food that's just a bit better than average (their Tom Kha is pretty weak, actually).

Still haven't eaten at Fly but they don't seem to need the business so they're not tops on my list yet. Don't expect I'll ever visit the Starbucks.

And actually, for the time being, avoid Gallagher's as well. I LOVE their Manhattan headquarters, but the Channelside location just opened and it showed. I know it was a Saturday night and we had a fairly big party (10), but it took over an hour just for entrees that were average, at best.

I hope it gets better, but give it a month or so. Thai is probably my favorite cuisine, so I'm going to have to check out Thai Corner soon ...

Gallagher's is a very respectable replacement for the Signature Room... hopefully it lasts. I haven't gone yet, but I suspect I will before I move to San Francisco in August.

Still haven't eaten at Fly but they don't seem to need the business so they're not tops on my list yet. Don't expect I'll ever visit the Starbucks.

Come to Fly on a Monday night. Fairly small crowd, live music and half priced bottles of wine. I usually go later (11ish), but dinner is nice as well. Still half priced wine :).

Gallagher's has a better chance now that there are some major residences opening soon, however, I still really don't think the area is ready for high end yet. There's just not enough people.

It appears you can also order your meats online and have them delivered which is a nice addition. I wonder if the Channelside restaraust will have that.

I see that it may be time soon for a community forum, where folks can talk about local hot spots, events, idle chat and stuff... like what the other established metro forums have.

sweet...


the thai place sounds good.

I agree that the food at Thai Corner is good, it's a great pre-Tampa Theatre stop, and the lady that owns it is very nice. My only complaint is that the place always smells of stale smoke, which seemed odd since it's a non-smoking restaurant.

However, it's right next to the Hub on Franklin, and I don't know if they share ventilation or if the smoke just oozes through the walls, but it stinks up Thai Corner. I've been there about 5 or 6 times, and I can always smell the smoke.

Sumo Thai on Twiggs is also worth a try, but they keep somewhat erratic hours imo.

Oh yeah, it oozes through the walls. I suppose they may share some ventilation with the Hub, but the previous incarnations here like Franklin Street Sushi all smelled like stale smoke, too.

Sumo Thai is Awesome, good for the lunch time crowd and they are renovating the corner of franklin and twigs to make a bigger rest. If you go by they have already started renovating the outside

New Malio's Can't Open Soon Enough For Some
Skip directly to the full story.
By MARY SHEDDEN The Tampa Tribune

Published: Apr 7, 2007

TAMPA - It's not easy re-creating a landmark.

Owners of the newest version of Malio's Prime Steak House said Friday that the landmark eatery frequented by local political and professional sports bigwigs could open in a new downtown location for lunch and dinner as soon as June 1.

That is a full eight months later than planned.

Co-owner Jason Fernandez said unforeseen issues involving the shape and design of the cylindrical Riverfront Tower and the creation of outdoor patio seating over the underground parking garage prompted the delays.

But now construction is nearly complete, booths and other fixtures are ready at local warehouses, and a soft opening of the 200-seat steakhouse will come this summer.

"We've already had many calls for reservations," said Fernandez, co-owner with partners Derek and Malio Iavarone, Derek's father and the restaurant's namesake.

The 8,000-square-foot restaurant will consume nearly half of the first floor of Tampa's 31-story Riverfront Tower, at Ashley Drive and Kennedy Boulevard. Fernandez said there will also be a 50- to 60-seat patio outside, under a three-story canopy.

When the restaurant announced its plans nearly a year ago, downtown leaders praised it as a sign of the area's business and cultural resurgence.

Since then, however, a proposed art museum next to Riverfront Tower is planned for a different location. Also, plans to renovate nearby Kiley Gardens and Curtis Hixson Park have yet to start.

Fernandez thinks it's a matter of time before projects along Ashley Drive will transform the area.

"This corner is going to be a whole different place," he said.

Although the restaurant will operate under the same name as the Dale Mabry Highway location and offer similar menu items, it will be distinct from its predecessor, Malio Iavarone said. The original Malio's, which closed in 2005, became best known as the regular gathering spot for area politicians, business leaders and professional athletes.

In fact, Iavarone said he is serving in a role as chief greeter - allowing his son and Fernandez to create a new dining experience. He said watching the boyhood pals open an establishment downtown is a dream come true.

"I get a kick out of it every day," he said.

Fernandez, who also has owned Bernini of Ybor restaurant for a decade, said Malio's will be open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and offer a special "food happy hour" featuring signature items from the old Malio's menu such as shrimp Teresa, sliced steak tips, veal meatballs and chicken Shirley.

Those items will cost $4 to $5, he said.

Despite its large square footage, the new Malio's is designed to feel intimate and will include private dining rooms.

Malio Iavarone said he has been hounded by friends and regular customers about the new restaurant. None of the curious customers is hungry for special treatment, Iavarone said. They just want to be fed, he said.

"They don't care where their table will be," he said. "They just want to know when it will open."

Reporter Mary Shedden can be reached at (813) 259-7365 or mshedden@tampatrib.com.


http://www.tbo.com/news/money/MGBKSG9C70F.html

Good to read, Malio's has certainly been a missed landmark of our local dining culture.

Good to read, Malio's has certainly been a missed landmark of our local dining culture.

It's key that being it is such a local business and cultural landmark, that it decided to relocate downtown. Along with Alessi's.

I like the comment that Malio's is already getting reservation request and the thing won't be open for nearly 2 months. :yes:

Alessi's didn't move downtown, they just added a new location. I ate lunch at the original Cypress location today. It's not going anywhere.

I'm excited about Malio's. But I also heard a rumor that the Skypoint restaurant from Fly's investors is now a no go. It was supposed to be called River. I'll find out more soon. Hopefully it was just bad info.

OK, so to recap, here's what we believe to be opening up downtown this year (at least as reported in local news):
- Malio's Steakhouse
- Alessi Bakery
- Indigo Coffee
- Tropical Smoothies & Wraps
- Westshore Pizza
- Starbucks

It's a good start...:cheers:

^Also if it opens this year, there is the pizza palor, sushi bar, and spa opening in the Towers at Channelside.

^and other retail additions to Channelside, like the new market.

I expect new retail to slowly fill in at The Place, too. The N. Channel District will eventually need some sort of eatery, even if it's a deli. Especially if K. Williams is truly putting in a big office in Grand Central (? Is this true, or did I just make up this random fact? heh)

^That's what is needed in Channelside for retail to really take hold... About a million or two sqft of office space... Get a few thousand workers milling around down there during the day, eating out, shopping, riding the trolley.

Hope the DT freeze thaws someday soon. The office market is the sleeping giant that everyone forgets about. When that finally wakes up in a few years, then DT Tampa will start kicking ass and taking names, so to speak.

^and other retail additions to Channelside, like the new market.

I expect new retail to slowly fill in at The Place, too. The N. Channel District will eventually need some sort of eatery, even if it's a deli. Especially if K. Williams is truly putting in a big office in Grand Central (? Is this true, or did I just make up this random fact? heh)

Keller Williams is definitely moving into Grand Central in the next 2-3 months ... probably with 40-50 realtors first, but with space up to 100. Pinnacle Financial (15-20 people or so) are also coming in pretty soon. Don't want to say its 100% definite, but I can say 98% or so.

As far as "retail and cafes" in Channelside, its starting to happen. A cool new furnishings place (Design-something) is open in the Meridian, an upscale woman's clothing store (I think) is open in the Model T Building, and two real estate agencies and an upscale salon (Luxe Urbain?) is open in Victory Lofts. Come support. But interestingly, it looks like a new cafe (Zelda's) might be going into the attached building to the BP gas station at Kennedy and Channelside. Again, I just moved here so the posters could have been up for a while, but it looks like someone's going to try to open a cafe in that space soon.

By the way, I take back what I said about Gallagher's ... have been back twice since a not-so-good experience, and both times the food and the service (especially) have been great. Sit at the bar, and the bartenders are terrific. I really hope this place makes it -- its still a "destination" place in NYC (where the NY Strip was discovered and named).

I remember there being some space in the Model T that looked like it was suited for a small cafe, but it might be the women's clothing store. Is it the one located on the corner of Whiting (?) and 12th?

You'd think I'd know all these details, considering I work at Channelside and park on the street. I'm taking time off right now to take some exams, so I feel out of touch...

Have they opened the street up from Meridian all the way to Grand Central now that construction is wrapping up at The Place?

And which unit do you own in GC? Are you the one I always see on the corner about half way up? Haha. You've got to get out and take some pictures of the construction status across the street... those rental apartments are shooting up rather quickly.

Have they opened the street up from Meridian all the way to Grand Central now that construction is wrapping up at The Place?

Pretty sure that has been open for months.

^^ Meridian is open. It connects to the new elevated span of the Selmon. Other streets are still blocked in Channelside though.

Meridian has been open for quite some time, from Twiggs to Channelside. 11th Street has always been open from Twiggs to Cumberland. And 12th Street, which has been closed for about a year from Washington to Whiting, is scheduled to open back up to traffic later this month.

Pretty sure that has been open for months.

No, I meant 12th.

:lol:

Meridian has been open for quite some time, from Twiggs to Channelside. 11th Street has always been open from Twiggs to Cumberland. And 12th Street, which has been closed for about a year from Washington to Whiting, is scheduled to open back up to traffic later this month.

This is most definitely what I meant. Thanks.

I'm not that clueless, guys.... ;-)

Anyone else been noticing alot of ads for the retail space at Grand Central? I believe it is looking for "entrepreneurs" to lease the retail space to for free? or something along those lines (I don't have the ad in front of me at the moment). Think or know of anyone who will take them up on this?

Anyone else been noticing alot of ads for the retail space at Grand Central? I believe it is looking for "entrepreneurs" to lease the retail space to for free? or something along those lines (I don't have the ad in front of me at the moment). Think or know of anyone who will take them up on this?

It would be great for all parties. The Mall of America in Minnesota did this to lure tenants when they were pitching the huge mall. No one thought they could get enough tenants to fill such a huge mall and now its a smashing success. Giving 1 or 2 years of free rent would make it much easier for a business to start up and survive in the emerging district, while it would also help the developers sell more units with retailers opening up. I think the biggest struggle they are having in getting sales right not is lack of retail, so why not give them free rent for a while. They are getting any money by leaving it empty.

Actually, I believe that Grand Central is looking for entrepreneurs to purchase this space, instead of renting. I've read several places that they have not had much success in renting out their retail space, so now their tactics have changed and they're looking for buyers.

At least that's what recent articles have reported.

Open For Business

By JANIS D. FROELICH The Tampa Tribune

Published: Apr 14, 2007

DOWNTOWN - CC's Bagels & Deli owner Rob Dmetroshko is concerned about all the closed restaurants in his neck of the urban woods.

He rattles off the most recent: Italian Pavilion, 505 N. Franklin St., Bread & Butter Gourmet Deli, 507 N. Franklin St., and The Office Cafe and Grill, 511 N. Franklin St.

Franklin Street Mall, running between Twiggs and Jackson streets, has seen better days.

"Even McDonald's and Burger King closed here," he said, shaking his head. "Where do they ever close?"

Dmetroshko, who has operated CC's at its present location, 510 N. Franklin St., for one year, hopes this marks the end of slow times and the beginning of busier days.

"If I didn't have my wholesale," he said of selling to local hotels, "I don't know what I'd do."

Dmetroshko used to be housed in Manhattan Bagels, 602 N. Franklin St., which was torn down when the Maas Bros. property was razed.

"I've been here 11 years so I've seen it all," he said. "And I can tell you 10 years ago was better."

"Things can only get better," said neighbor Philip Chan, who operates Grill Station, 508 N. Franklin St. "Sometimes you have to hit bottom before things improve. I just hope it doesn't get worse."

Chan said his wife persuaded him to open his buffet Chinese restaurant nine years ago in downtown Tampa instead of now-bustling St. Petersburg.

"Why is our city not taking off?" he said. "I ask that, and no one has an answer."

There are signs of life on Franklin Street Mall.

At a glitzy evening party last week, the Element, a 35-story condominium project, opened its sales center at 507 N. Franklin St. Its 395 units will be priced from the low $200,000s to about $600,000.

The Element, under construction at 808 N. Franklin St., will offer residents amenities such as the Home Automation Lifestyle Organization. The HALO technology will allow them to order services from restaurants and other businesses.

Dmetroshko doesn't think the addition of downtown residents will help his business too much.

"If they don't work downtown as well," he said, "they'll leave their building in the morning and return at night."

Another of his neighbors thinks otherwise.

Abbey Dohring, vice president of The Dohring Group, is enthusiastic about the opening of her company's renovated Walgreens drugstore building at 514 N. Franklin St. The original Madison Drug Store, built in the art deco style in 1925, will soon house pizza and coffee shops downstairs and offices upstairs in its 20,000 square feet.

Dohring said she was happy to see some of the storefronts in Franklin's 500 block painted recently.

"It's been a real boost," she said. "I believe this area will come alive. It takes a few new businesses to get things going."

Sharon Graham, the city's special events coordinator, has overseen Franklin Street Mall entertainment and street vendors for 21 years. She has seen the mall, which is closed to vehicles from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays, struggle in recent years.

"Once we get people moving in," she said, "I believe we will see a new era.

"This is only three blocks [plus] Lykes Park, but we manage to hold constant entertainment and offer various promoters," she said.

Graham said the mall's last heyday was in the early 1980s when she, like many, shopped at Maas Bros. and ate at downtown restaurants.

"By the time all this revitalization is finished, I expect a boom time again," she said.

About a dozen vendors operate food and beverage carts, paying about $132 a month plus other charges and taxes for mall space.

Since 2003, Senaf Pickhardt has operated her Sadie's hot dog cart in front of the CVS Pharmacy.

"It's a very personal thing," she said. "People want to know us and talk."

When Walgreens closed in April 2003, Pickhardt said her business dropped 30 percent.

She's happy now with her following of customers buying the plump $2.25 hot dogs, but it's not enough for her to make a living on Franklin Street Mall.

"When I'm not here," she said, "I'm working for a law firm."

ON THE MALL
Franklin Street Mall, running between Twiggs and Jackson streets, and Lykes Park play host to many events, including:

VARIOUS PERFORMERS: from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, 25 and 27, and May 2, 8, 10, 15, 17, 23 and 24.

SPECIAL EVENTS: National Day of Prayer, 9 to 11 a.m. May 3; Tampa Police Memorial Service, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 11; Alive After Five, 5 to 9 p.m. May 11; Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Barbecue, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16; Elvis Festival, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 18; and a Homeless Event, 8 to 9 a.m. May 22.

INFORMATION: Call Sharon Graham at (813) 274-8519.

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tamptrib.com.

http://southtampa.tbo.com/southtampa/MGBT7RO3H0F.html

I drove by the other day and saw that Westshore Pizza is opening on Franklin Street across from that C.C's place. That will surely draw a crowd.

I drove by the other day and saw that Westshore Pizza is opening on Franklin Street across from that C.C's place. That will surely draw a crowd.

Nice. That would be another local business/chain.

Westshore makes a good pie, this is welcome news. I hope they are open late. Eddie and Sam's closes early. And Dominos is not worth calling.

You know what would really give these guys a boost (besides the residential units opening to the east and northwest)?

More jobs downtown instead of spread out in the suburbs. I wonder if the city has ever thought about trying to entice businesses (non retail) into all that vacant office space DT?

^I'm pretty sure they do ;-)

*cough*Downtown Development Partnership*cough*

Hehe. Yeah, they try. They could be more aggressive, but it really is up to the leasing companies to offer huge incentives, isn't it?

Here is some info about some of the new retail/office amenities coming to Rivergate Tower soon:

http://www.tampasdowntown.com/Editor/assets/monday%20morning%20memo%20documents/rivergate%20tower%20changes.pdf

Looks like a dry cleaners, bank branch, Malio's, a lunch take-out/breakfeat thing run by Malio's people are coming along with new valet and the reopening of Kim's Sundry Shop.

What is a Sundry Shop?

sundry = small convenient store, or snack shop. Kind of like what they have in the lobby of the county center if you have ever been in there.

Northstar Bank is actually opening a branch in the Pavilion, how cool. I remember when the Pavilion was just a big retail branch for NCNB (or who was it at the time?)... in, what, the mid-90s I guess. Returning from whence it came.

Thanks AKBTampa.