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Mexican bar envisioned for downtown

Michael "Frenchy" Preston wants to open a club at the corner of Cleveland Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, but not everyone likes the idea.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published October 12, 2005

CLEARWATER - Michael "Frenchy" Preston, known for his Clearwater Beach seafood restaurants, wants to try out a new concept in a new location - a Mexican sports bar in downtown Clearwater.

Preston, 54, who has about 50 to 60 Hispanic employees, said he wants to cater to the local Hispanic community. For example, the club would offer broadcasts of soccer instead of American football, he said.

"I see a sports bar with food and live entertainment on the weekends," Preston said. "I think there's a need for it."

Club Caliente would be at the southeast corner of Cleveland Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and would be run by a Hispanic management team, Preston said. Its menu would include items such as jalapeno poppers, tacos and tequila citrus grilled shrimp.

"It sounds like a winning thing. There are plenty of patrons that will use it," said Alex Emmanuelli, executive director of UNO Federation Community Services, a Hispanic advocacy organization.

The local Hispanic population has blossomed in recent years, according to Robin Gomez, a city auditor who is involved in Hispanic issues. About 20,000 Hispanic residents live in Clearwater, according to estimates, 5,000 more than a decade ago.

But city planners aren't keen on any type of nightclub in the downtown area called the Town Lake Business District. They have told Preston that a restaurant would be a better fit for the property at 1101 Cleveland St.

"We don't believe it's consistent with the downtown plan," said planning department director Michael Delk.

Delk added that Preston could amend his plan or appeal to the city's Community Development Board.

Preston said he doesn't think a full-scale restaurant would work at the site, which, over the years, has been Moose Lodge 1030, Foamy's Bar & Grill and a Ponderosa Steak House. Preston's other business ventures include Frenchy's Original Cafe, Salt Water Cafe, Rockaway Grill and South Beach Cafe, as well as the Off the Hook Gift Shop and Frenchy's Seafood Co.

The planning department was leaning toward denying Preston's project, but it has not done so yet. On Oct. 4, Preston's attorney, Stephen Watts, faxed a letter to planner John Schodtler. He told Schodtler how the club would revitalize the area and asked him to hold off on any decisions.

Neighbors have given Preston's plan a mixed response.

Guy M. Bonneville, who plans to develop a mixed-use center with condominiums and office and retail space across the street, said the "last thing" he wants is a bar across from his project.

"The bottom line is that a nightclub is drinking and music until the early hours of the morning, and this is not a good use for the area where we're trying to improve the residential content," he said.

Jackie Henegar, owner of Douglas Manufacturing, located next to Preston's property, doesn't think a club that serves alcohol belongs in the area either.

"I'm not too fond of the idea," she said. "There are enough homeless people around, and I think this will add to the problems."

Other neighbors, including the Church of Scientology's Yachtsman hotel, wouldn't mind a nearby club, but they want to make sure the new business respects other establishments.

"Our main concern is that an earlier owner kept doors wide open past 2 in the morning, and we had folks trying to sleep," said Lisa Mansell, the church's downtown relations director.

Lorri Helfand can be reached at 445-4155 or at lorri@sptimes.com

[Last modified October 12, 2005, 00:19:18]