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Frito-Lay interested in expo site

The snack company is purchasing the old Pinellas Expo Center to use as a warehouse, an official says.

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published January 26, 2005

PINELLAS PARK - Once a venue for pets, antiques and male strippers, the former Pinellas Expo Center may soon be known for potato and corn chips.

Snack food giant Frito-Lay has reportedly bought the building at 10601 U. S. 19 N and plans to use it as a distribution center. Frito-Lay's products include Lay's potato chips, Fritos corn chips, Cheetos cheese puffs and Doritos tortilla chips.

The news came from the Pinellas Park Fire Department, which received a call recently from the company that monitors the fire alarm at the center.

The company told department officials that Frito-Lay had bought the building and the fire alarm had been cut off, Deputy Fire Chief Sandy Sullivan said Monday.

Sullivan said he called a "Mr. Hicks" at Frito-Lay in Tampa to tell him the sprinkler and alarm system could not be cut off. Hicks said the corporation would be using the center "as distribution, probably a warehouse," Sullivan said.

Hicks was out of the office until Friday and could not be reached for comment. Frito-Lay representatives at their main office in Dallas did not return a phone message asking for comment.

Assistant City Manager Tom Shevlin confirmed that Frito-Lay had contacted the city more than a month ago to explore the requirements for turning the 105,000-square-foot building into a distribution center.

"It's perfect for that type of warehousing," Shevlin said.

The 12.9-acre property is valued at about $6.9-million, according to Pinellas County tax records.

Staff members did their best to encourage the company to locate in Pinellas Park, Shevlin said.

"We told him we love Fritos," he said.

Shevlin said that call is the last the city has heard from Frito-Lay. Thus far, the corporation has not asked for a business license.

The Expo Center began life as a Sam's Club. After it closed, Global Spectrum leased the property and held shows there. Those included antique and craft displays, pet shows, Latin dances and even male strippers and a pornographic awards show.

Last March, it was announced the building was for sale. In May, Global Spectrum decided to close its operations.

[Last modified January 26, 2005, 00:13:15]