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Everybody's Business

Frida's looks at May for finale

By MICHAEL CANNING
Published April 21, 2006

Angelica Diaz has her own way of putting it: "I'm hoping that by the end of May the baby will be born.''

Or rather, her restaurant Viva la Frida Cafe y Galeria will be sold. That's when she hopes to close a deal on the combination restaurant, art gallery and performance venue that has been at the vanguard of Old Seminole Heights' slow commercial resurgence.

Viva la Frida opened at 5901 N Florida Ave. in 2001, serving as a focal point in Seminole Heights' fledgling commercial revitalization. In January she and her husband and business partner, John Ames, put the business up for sale without the land.

Now "we are accepting proposals,'' on the restaurant, Diaz said. Two interested parties lead the pack of suitors, she said. One is a group that recently ran a restaurant on S Howard Avenue. Another owns a downtown St. Petersburg restaurant and is seeking a second location. Diaz declined to name names.

She added that late May seems a likely finish line because that would give the new owners time over the traditionally slow summer months to settle into the unique space.

In the meantime, Viva la Frida remains open from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Open mike jazz is Wednesdays at 8.

After selling the restaurant, Diaz plans on starting Eventos Frida Vive, a touring exhibit for her sizable collection of Frida Kahlo-related artwork. The late iconic Mexican artist is the restaurant's matron saint.

By the way, the nine pieces of Frida-themed art pieces stolen from the restaurant have not been returned.

STARBUCKING FOR PROGRESS: The April 7 opening of the Seminole Heights Starbucks could rank with the advent of the trolley and the interstate as the most pivotal events in the neighborhood's history.

Now residents are waiting to see if the collateral development that often accompanies Starbucks stores will spark on Seminole Heights' blighted thoroughfares. If it does, ground zero likely will be Leroy's 4X4 Automotive Center, next door to Starbucks at Hillsborough and Central avenues.

Don't think that idea hasn't occurred to Bill Chalmers, the Starbucks' developer and landlord. All along, Chalmers has said he wants to buy the auto repair shop and turn the site into something more compatible with the coffeehouse.

It almost happened a year ago, when Starbucks was still in the planning phase. "We went all the way down to execution copies of the contract and the property owner changed the price,'' Chalmers said. "They wanted double what we paid for the Starbucks property.''

Chalmers declined to say what he envisions for the property at 512 E Hillsborough Ave., most of which faces an Interstate 275 off ramp. But it would be retail, and "we're ready, willing, and able to do it. However, the owner's pricing needs to be a little more reasonable.''

Ned Dean, whose wife, Merry Willis, owns the property, denies the price was raised at the last minute. Unfavorable contract terms killed the deal, he said.

However, today's price for the property would be "a whole lot more than what we offered (Chalmers last year),'' he said. "The property is bringing in income. We want a pretty good sum for it.''

Indeed, Dean said they aren't overly eager to sell the site. "We don't owe a dime on it. We pay our taxes right on time. That's a good location. We know that it will only do one thing - go up in value.''

Dean, a real estate investor who also owns properties in Alabama and Georgia, said upscale shops or office space could make sense if Leroy's leaves.

Dean has even considered redeveloping the lot himself.

OUT WITH COFFEE, IN WITH TRASH: Used clothing store Neo Trash opened April 1 at 1515 E Seventh Ave. in Ybor City, filling a lamented vacancy left by Romeo's Studio 1515 Coffeehouse.

Co-owner Brad Hoffmann said he hopes eventually to set aside space for clothing designed by students at the Art Institute of Tampa. In the meantime, it's buy, sell or trade used and vintage clothing at Neo Trash.

The newer used stuff tends to be what you'd see in mall boutiques. The vintage stuff mainly represents the 1970s and '80s. There's also a selection of indie label high-end streetwear, togs inspired by ironic post modern humor, art nouveau and graffitti.

The 2,400-square-foot space is decorated with vintage high-backed Victorian chairs, a "nasty couch from the '60s,'' as Hoffmann put it, and gold painted wood work. Hoffmann's idea was to look lofty.''

Hoffmann's fiancee, Trisha Thurman, also runs the store.

Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursdays though Saturdays, and 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays. They've got a toll-free number, too: 1-888-387-2749.

Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Call 226-3394, or e-mail mikecanning@hotmail.com.

[Last modified April 20, 2006, 12:35:30]