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Letter to the editor

Sangria's to wait on wet zoning till Jan. 10

The tapas bar had to leave its old location.

By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS, Times Staff Writer
Published December 28, 2007

OLD SEMINOLE HEIGHTS 

The City Council stopped short of granting Sangria's a wet zoning last week, continuing the hearing to Jan. 10. But the outcome looked favorable for the Spanish tapas bar.

Council members want the city staff to insert a clause in the alcohol permit that says if the restaurant ever closes, a nightclub or bar could not open in its place.

About 40 neighbors gathered to hear the City Council that morning, and almost a dozen waited more than eight hours through a packed hearing agenda to support Sangria's moving into 512 E Hillsborough Ave., currently home to Leroy's 4x4 Automotive Center.

Residents told council members they don't want to travel to South Tampa for tapas, that changing an industrial corner into a restaurant, right next door to Starbucks Coffee, would be a sign of progress.

"We're going to miss you in South Tampa," council member Mary Mulhern told Sangria's owners.

Sangria's was evicted from its six-year home in SoHo earlier this month by landlord Tommy Ortiz in an ongoing saga at the building on S Howard Avenue.

Co-owner John Obediente said he has always had an eye on the Leroy's property. He'll enjoy the breathing room 53 parking spaces will offer and has plans for a 120-seat restaurant and patio.

He has no doubt about the future success of Sangria's in Seminole Heights.

"With all these neighbors?" Obediente asked. "Definitely."

Alexandra Zayas can be reached at azayas@sptimes.com or 226-3354.

If You Go

Council vote

The City Council will vote on whether to grant Sangria's a wet-zoning in Old Seminole Heights at a hearing at 10 a.m. Jan. 10 in City Hall, 315 E Kennedy Blvd.

[Last modified December 27, 2007, 07:48:25]