News on the Street

As always in SOHO, it seems when news is quiet, it is quiet. BUT when it is busy, it gets real busy.

FIRST: It's All About the World Cup
The USA team playing against England brought a giant crowd to South Howard. MacDintons has been known as "the" location for football (soccer) fans for years, but even they were surprised at the turn out for the game. Every location with tv screens saw large crowds and plenty of money flowing through their cash registers. The month long event from South Africa has provided a good boost during almost all of the games. The next USA game will be on Wednesday, June 23 at 10 AM against Algeria. Don't miss it ! So far there have been many surprises. While our team is strong, no one has predicted a USA cup victory, but it really could happen this year.

SECOND: Oil and Economy
While we all know that no oil has hit the Pinellas or Hillsborough County beaches, the threat has already lead to a serious bite into our economy. One local hotel owner indicated their July 4th holiday bookings are usually in the 70% range, but this year might be lucky to hit 20%. The lack of visitors is much more severe in the Florida Panhandle area. The bad winter had already provided us with a bad start on a usually slow Summer market, but the threat of oil has made it much worse. Fall is not that far away, but how far away is the oil ? Only time will tell.

THIRD: Restaurants and the Economy and the Neighborhood Association
Many of the higher end restaurants have been operating for years with a 4COPSRX License. This license requires the business to have at least 51% in sales in food rather than alcoholic beverages. The cost of the license was less than a 4COP License that requires no food sales. With a poor economy and the summer season, the dinner business has declined dramatically. Do you eat out as much as you used to ?
Several SOHO area and other Tampa restaurants are now finding themselves in trouble by not meeting the 51% sales requirement. The solutions: increase food sales or switch licenses. The licenses are issued by the State and to switch licenses means having to pay a substantial amount for a new license AND then to have its location approved by the City Council. Additionlly, the location could cease liquor sales and be restricted to just beer and wine. OR no alcoholic beverages at all.

For 14 years, Mangroves has been in business at 208 S. Howard Avenue. Their menu includes : Lobster Stuffed Grouper - grouper stuffed with Maine lobster, Guinness Braised Lamb Shank, Truffled Beef Tartar, and more provided by Cordon Bleu certified Chef Al. Mangroves has taken the step to change to a less restrictive license that has to be approved by the City Council this Thursday, June 24.

Almost every liquor license request in the SOHO Area has been opposed by the Oscawana Courier City Neighborhood Association, and without surprise, they have announced their opposition to this change too. In Mangrove's case they have a 14 year record with an outstanding menu. Should Mangrove's not receive approval it will probably result in the elimination of numerous jobs. Mangrove's has been proactive in making this change.

One other busy SOHO restaurant has recently been audited by the state and could be seriously impacted as well, resulting in the elimination of even more jobs. The City recently allowed the Bric to open at the corner of S. Howard and Platt Street - but with only beer and wine and restricted hours to close by 11 PM on certain nights and even earlier on others.

We need JOBS and not empty commercial buildings. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ! Send an email to the City Council urging them to approve the license change requested by Mangroves. You can do that here. All seven of the City Council members will have a vote on this issue. Additionally you can attend the next City Council meeting on Thursday, June 24th when the issue will be discussed at approximately 1 PM.

FOURTH: Ceviches Expands Again
When the economy slows it also created some opportunities - like existing business locations become vacant and available at some great rates. Ceviche has recently opened a location at the former Tio Pepes site on Gulf to Bay in Clearwater. Tampa, Orlando, St. Pete, Sarasota, and now Clearwater.