Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Parkland Estates

Neighbors still fighting deli's beer, wine sales

Minor's Market on W Swann Avenue wins City Council approval to sell beer and wine, but opponents might appeal.

By JANET ZINK
Published February 25, 2005

A debate over beer and wine sales at a new gourmet deli in South Tampa might be headed to court.

Feb. 17, the City Council approved a request from the owner of Minor's Market at 2511 W Swann Ave. to sell beer and wine, but neighbors who oppose the zoning say they might appeal the decision.

"It's not over yet," said Michael J. Echevarria, who lives in Parkland Estates near the market.

Owner John Minor asked the city for permission to sell beer and wine last year before the deli opened in August, but the City Council denied the request.

When Minor went back Jan. 20, the council gave preliminary approval for a one-year conditional wet zoning, despite testimony from neighbors who objected.

Two weeks later, a tie-vote kept the rezoning from becoming final.

Last week, the council approved the request 4-to-3, with council members Rose Ferlita, John Dingfelder and Shawn Harrison voting against it. The zoning allows Minor's Market to sell, but not serve, beer and wine for one year.

Minor said he and his wife, Jenny, are pleased with the council's decision.

"They weighed the true facts and that's the reason why we were awarded the zoning," he said.

Still, he acknowledged the wet-zoning isn't a done deal in light of neighbors' plans to appeal.

People from Parkland Estates and St. John's Greek Orthodox Church and School on Swann don't like the idea of a store selling alcohol so close to the school and residential areas. They worry that the zoning will lead to the opening of bars on Swann Avenue. The neighborhood already has plenty of bars a few blocks away on Howard Avenue, they said.

They also expressed concern that if Minor's Market goes out of business, the wet zoning will remain on the property and a new tenant could come in with a different concept.

Minor said if the wet zoning sticks, he'll explore the possibility of having the license expire if he should leave the building. He also said he would seek another one-year conditional wet-zoning next year instead of a permanent license.

Minor wants to sell beer and wine to accompany the imported cheeses and gourmet dinners sold in his store. His customers have requested it.

"That's part of our concept here. Let's provide people with what they really want," Minor said. "If anyone is familiar with a gourmet food store, typically there's wine in there. Why should we be any different?"

In the coming year, Minor hopes neighbors will see that his business won't be disruptive, he said.

"We're going to continue to run our business as an upscale gourmet shop. Things aren't going to change. We're not going to turn into a bar," Minor said. "We want them to give us a chance to show that we can be good neighbors."

Janet Zink can be reached at 226-3401 or jzink@sptimes.com

[Last modified February 24, 2005, 09:49:58]