Franklin Street

[Del Mayberry]

Downtown Tampa: Martini bar to liven up Franklin Street
By Susan Thurston, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Friday, July 1, 2011
Joshua Croy and Jakub Horodecki spent months scouting a site for their upscale club and patio bar. They wanted something urban, a bit edgy and full of character.
They found it in downtown Tampa, along a block of north Franklin Street vacant and forgotten for years.
Martini Republic opens in August at Franklin and Tyler Street in a building that once housed a Chinese restaurant. The owners hope it's the catalyst for an entertainment district extending to the Tampa Theatre on the south and Fly bar and restaurant on the north.
"We want to create an image and theme for the district,'' Croy said. "When you walk in you won't feel like you're in a Tampa club. We're taking it to a new level.''
Construction began recently on the two-story building 912 N Franklin St. and adjacent vacant lot, after a lengthy city approval. Plans call for a 33-foot bar, DJ booth, large chandeliers, lots of metal finishings and exposed brick and duct work. The patio will have a stage, modern furnishings and a grill area for cooking kabobs and sliders on weekend afternoons.
The owners describe it as a "soundbar'' rather than a nightclub because the music will be notable but not overtaking. People will be able to hear each other talk, said Croy, who at 35 says he's tired of noisy, meat market clubs.
They chose the name Martini Republic because it evokes a feeling of being in another country and escaping from reality. For inspiration, they looked to lavish clubs in South Beach, LIV and SET.
Croy and Horodecki hired Mike "the Greek'' Kavallierakis to help with the build out. He has been involved in the local club scene for years, most recently with the now-closed Club Tantra in Ybor City and Tru Lounge in Feather Sound.
Kavallierakis sees huge potential on Franklin, thanks largely to the addition of hundreds of residents in the nearby Element apartments and SkyPoint condos. The area has an edge over Ybor City and SoHo, he said, because it draws an older, professional clientele and doesn't have as many parking and noise issues.
Once Martini Republic opens, Kavallierakis plans to start work on a new dance club a few doors up the street. He's naming it Hammerjack's after a popular Franklin Street club in the 1990s. He expects other bars and restaurants will follow, saying a deal is in the works for a prominent South Tampa club operator to take over the former Club 112 at 901 N Franklin St.
Jason Accardi, president of Seven One Seven Parking Enterprises, co-owns more than 30 properties in downtown Tampa, including the Martini Republic site. He had been marketing the property for awhile and believes a martini bar will be a good fit for the area. He and his partners bought it for $650,000 in 2006.
"We're very excited to have some synergy on the north end of downtown,'' Accardi said. "The more retail and restaurant businesses that happen in the downtown core, the better it is for everybody.''
City officials said Martini Republic will fill a void between the Residences of Franklin Street and the Element and complement the city's ongoing efforts to improve the area, most recently with the reconstruction of Herman Massey Park. Years ago, the city added meandering brick streets, decorative lamp posts and landscaping.
"It's an important block to bring more activities to,'' said Bob McDon*augh, the city's urban development manager. "I think the time is right for things to start happening there.''

[Last modified: Jun 30, 2011 03:51 PM]

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[Del Mayberry]

I know there was an old thread called Franklin St. development but it got buried in the last decade. Can we please put all Franklin St. stuff here, whether it's about Kress, a renovation of an old building, etc?

[jonknee]

In related news, the Tampa Theatre just this week replaced their signs' lightbulbs with compact fluorescents. It's much brighter and I assume, cost effective.

[Del Mayberry]

Originally Posted by jonknee

In related news, the Tampa Theatre just this week replaced their signs' lightbulbs with compact fluorescents. It's much brighter and I assume, cost effective.

Also there was an article a few weeks ago in the trib about a two-person custom furniture builder Co. that has their business on Frankin, but around the old Rialto theatre.

[jonknee]

Originally Posted by Del Mayberry

Also there was an article a few weeks ago in the trib about a two-person custom furniture builder Co. that has their business on Frankin, but around the old Rialto theatre.

It's these guys. I have been to a couple art shows there, it's a great place.

http://franklinstreetfw.com/

[Del Mayberry]

Originally Posted by jonknee

It's these guys. I have been to a couple art shows there, it's a great place.

http://franklinstreetfw.com/

Good for them. I hope their business does well. It's nice to go to peoples' homes and condos and see custom one-of-a-kind furniture instead of the same stuff that every body else on the cul de sac has. I'm a big fan of individualism and originality.

[jonknee]

So it's not quite on Franklin (same block!), but that urban market I had hinted at earlier is set to open in the next week or two. It's called Duckweed and is on Polk / Franklin in the same building as The Hub. They've been very nice neighbors so far and are committed to stocking a lot of local products which I really appreciate. I'll let you know when it's open.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Duckwe...55741141152700

[jamesk]

Very cool. I always make a point to take my jogging workout down Franklin st. I really love how it looks while traveling south. Sometime I am taken aback by how beautiful it is, with its brick roads, trees and historic architecture.

I've seen the vintage pictures and I know how bustling Franklin st was back in the day. I hope it can get to that status again one day.

Reading the article about the martini republic, I never thought about keeping the younger crowd out by the lack of parking. It makes sense to me. Lets keep hyde park for the college frat types and downtown for the grown ups!

[Del Mayberry]

Originally Posted by jamesk

Very cool. I always make a point to take my jogging workout down Franklin st. I really love how it looks while traveling south. Sometime I am taken aback by how beautiful it is, with its brick roads, trees and historic architecture.

I've seen the vintage pictures and I know how bustling Franklin st was back in the day. I hope it can get to that status again one day.

Reading the article about the martini republic, I never thought about keeping the younger crowd out by the lack of parking. It makes sense to me. Lets keep hyde park for the college frat types and downtown for the grown ups!

Does it really matter? As long as they are spending in DT and/or Hyde Park, it helps the local economy. I would think that DT is more convenient for the UT students.

[jonknee]

Originally Posted by Del Mayberry

Does it really matter? As long as they are spending in DT and/or Hyde Park, it helps the local economy. I would think that DT is more convenient for the UT students.

I suppose it matters if you want an area for adults.

[jamesk]

Go to macdinton's on a friday night and then we'll talk.

[jonknee]

Duckweed is now open.

[Del Mayberry]

Originally Posted by jonknee

Duckweed is now open.

Never heard of Duckweed until now. I searched a little on it & only found the address and that it's a gourmet place. Must be pretty small on the inside if it's in an old building. Fingers crossed that it makes it in that location.

[jonknee]

Originally Posted by Del Mayberry

Never heard of Duckweed until now. I searched a little on it & only found the address and that it's a gourmet place. Must be pretty small on the inside if it's in an old building. Fingers crossed that it makes it in that location.

Yes, it's a small place. Where Bill's Pen Shop was for years and years. The same building as the Hub, but on the Polk street side. It just opened today, so that may be why you haven't heard of it.

[Jasonhouse]

Something tells me that a name like "Duckweed" doesn't exactly lend itself to marketing success. Hope it does well.

[jamesk]

Just went into Duckweed yesterday. It was in a very little space next to the hub. However, once inside, I was able to see that they had a unique mix of local/organic foods, drinks and condiments. They are still getting fully stocked and set up right now.

Something like this is just what this area needs to support SkyPoint and the Element: a small grocer in walking distance. (yes, the publix on platt and bayshore is close, but I wouldnt want to walk with more than 2 bags of groceries back to the SkyPoint or the Element.)

Sure its small, but its got a lot of personality and a very friendly staff. I bought a couple of things to support them. If I could give one tidbit of advice, I'd say they need to put up a street sign. If I didn't read about it here, I never would have noticed it.

It really reminded me of the small mom and pop stores in NYC.

[jonknee]

Originally Posted by jamesk

Just went into Duckweed yesterday. It was in a very little space next to the hub. However, once inside, I was able to see that they had a unique mix of local/organic foods, drinks and condiments. They are still getting fully stocked and set up right now.

Something like this is just what this area needs to support SkyPoint and the Element: a small grocer in walking distance. (yes, the publix on platt and bayshore is close, but I wouldnt want to walk with more than 2 bags of groceries back to the SkyPoint or the Element.)

Sure its small, but its got a lot of personality and a very friendly staff. I bought a couple of things to support them. If I could give one tidbit of advice, I'd say they need to put up a street sign. If I didn't read about it here, I never would have noticed it.

It really reminded me of the small mom and pop stores in NYC.

The beer and wine section should be good too once the licensing gets worked out. If you have any favorites, they're very open to suggestions. I'll mention the sign thing. They have the chalkboard out, but I agree it can be hard to find.

We're starting a hot sauce collection in our office and added just a few local brands from there. It's great to find local foods.

[Jasonhouse]

Duckweed is the grocer? Ha, I don't think it will much matter what the name is, so long as his product mix is right for the neighborhood.

[jonknee]

Yep, Duckweed is the grocer. I think they should do well with the Skypoint and Element residents picking stuff up. I'll definitely stop by on my walk home from work to pick up stuff for dinner.

[ATampaArnold]

Yeah I have gone 3 times already to pick up odds and ends. Can't wait till their beer and wine area is ready