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An unwelcome reception

Some residents feel like they are becoming the outsiders as the Hispanic population increases in their neighborhoods.

By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published April 23, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Keri Wiginton] Jason Brewer, right, and Noel Heustis talk while waiting for their lunch Wednesday at Rincon Catracho, which opened recently in place of Viva la Frida in Seminole Heights. Brewer and Heustis said they were not bothered that most of the menu is in Spanish. "I found my entree pretty quickly," Heustis said.

TAMPA - The news made neighborhood gossip as soon as it hit the popular Seminole Heights blog:

Viva la Frida, the beloved neighborhood landmark with the outdoor concerts, poetry readings and colorful kitsch, was gone.

Rumor has it it was bought by a clan of Hondurans, a blogger wrote in early February.

In reality, a Honduran couple had bought the restaurant. Rincon Catracho opened that month, and over-the-fence chatter turned to speculation on the growing number of Hispanic restaurants in the area - four in prominent locations in the past year, all within a 2-mile radius.

Some people in Seminole Heights, known for its arts community and aged bungalows, are irritated. The Hispanic restaurants, they say, are taking over.

Some who have lived here for years now feel discriminated against because they can't read Spanish menus or communicate with waiters.

Others say Hispanic restaurants don't serve their neighborhood, that they attract outsiders.

While they target the restaurants, a broader issue resounds throughout Hillsborough County: The Hispanic population is larger than ever, and growing.

And the pressure is on to make room.

* * *

In 1990, Hispanics were 12.8 percent of Hillsborough's population. By 2000, they were 18 percent. Census estimates for 2005 put their percentage at 21.5.

The 2000 census numbers were even higher in Seminole Heights, which straddles two ZIP codes. In 33604, 21 percent of the population was Hispanic; in 33603, the percentage was 28.5.

Recent statistics are hard to come by, but city Hispanic affairs liaison Lorena Rivas says the Hispanic population continues to grow in Tampa.

Many are starting to notice, forming their own perceptions.

In February, a Pinellas Park City Council member asked if law enforcement officials who planned to work with Tampa police were taking up "Spanish or Cuban or whatever." They would need to, she said, "so they can talk to the public over there."

On the "over there" side of the bridge earlier this month, Town 'N Country residents balked at county signs in Spanish announcing a town hall meeting with the Hispanic community.

And in March, another sign appeared, on Florida Avenue. Rincon Catracho opened, announcing El Mejor Pescado de la Bahia, the best fish of the bay.

One blogger didn't agree.

NewHeightsMag went with his fiancee, and told his neighbors on March 1: The food was as good as you'd expect and the one waitress they had did speak English, but that's about the end of what I can say good.

Seminole Heights community leaders say the reasons for their reactions are varied.

Sherry King, president of the Business Guild of Seminole Heights, says the concern isn't that restaurants are serving Hispanic food. "It's an influx of one kind of business or restaurant," King said.

The neighborhood reaction would be the same, she said, if the Hispanic restaurants were all coffee shops.

Blog founder David Scott Banghart likened the issue to a matter of courtesy.

"If you walk into a supermarket or restaurant, and people are talking a language you don't understand, it's almost considered rude," he said in an interview.

Randy Baron, Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association president, insisted his community embraces differences.

The majority of neighbors wouldn't complain about Hispanic restaurants, if they had more dining choices.

It would be great if a Chili's opened, he said, somewhere he and neighbors could get a burger and a beer after association meetings.

"Until we get some neighborhood-serving restaurants, there's going to be a regret," Baron said. "I think that we need to get together with some of the restaurants. What can we do to work together?"

* * *

Getting people to communicate across language barriers - that's Rivas' job.

The city hired her in 2004 after a busy hurricane season highlighted the need to communicate with those who speak only Spanish.

She teaches neighborhood associations how to reach their Spanish speakers, and encounters some people who say non-English speakers exclude themselves. But as Hispanics grow to become almost a quarter of the population in Tampa, she says inclusion is key.

"It's making them feel invited and welcome," Rivas said. "Well, why don't they come to neighborhood meetings? Because they don't understand."

* * *

In Seminole Heights, some Hispanic restaurant owners haven't noticed the turmoil around them.

Agustin Lombart opened two Copa Cabana cafes in the last three months, one replacing Ybor Pizza. He kept the same recipes and staff, but added Cuban food.

"I have people coming for pizza, and when they see the (Cuban) food we have, they change it right away," Lombart said.

Salsa music blasted on a recent day at Abuela's Meat Market on Sligh Avenue. Ronnie Hurley walked in wearing a Confederate flag on his trucker hat, and a T-shirt that said Bump & Grind Redneck truckers.

He ordered eight pork chops, paid and walked toward his F-150 pickup truck.

Did he have any problem communicating? Did he feel excluded?

No, Hurley told a reporter outside. "I come here because the steaks and pork chops are cheap."

Rincon Catracho owner Ana Vasquez has heard some of the criticism since her restaurant opened, including complaints that she didn't offer food neighbors liked and that patrons couldn't understand her Spanish menu.

But she thinks something must have gotten lost in translation. In impeccable English, she told the Times the restaurant was a dream for her husband Carlos, because he loves to talk to people.

They haven't had time yet to reach out to the neighborhood, because they both have full-time jobs, she said.

She thinks 90 percent of her customers are Hispanic, but she doesn't want non-Hispanics to feel unwelcome.

"I feel really bad about it, and I'm working on the new menu," Vasquez said. She's adding more seafood platters and salads for the neighborhood's vegetarians.

"You have a problem with the menu, just let me know," she said. "I can explain it to you."

Times researcher John Martin contributed to this report. Alexandra Zayas can be reached at (813) 226-3354 or azayas@sptimes.com.

[Last modified April 23, 2007, 01:11:49]