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WestShore Neighbors Oppose Pub Plan

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By ELLEN GEDALIUS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 18, 2007

Updated: 09/17/2007 10:22 pm

TAMPA - WestShore Plaza is on track to get its first pub, but not without complaints from nearby neighborhood leaders about late-night alcohol consumption so close to where they live.

Baker St. Pub & Grill, based in Houston, plans to open a location at the mall early next year, creating 80 jobs. The company is considering about 6,500 square feet between Saks Fifth Avenue and JCPenney, mall general manager Jay Botsch said.

The space had been used for storage.

'It's kind of a neat use,' Botsch said. 'It activates that side of the property. It's pretty neat.'

But some neighborhood leaders think otherwise. The company is asking the Tampa City Council for permission to wet-zone the property. Businesses need a wet-zone permit to sell alcohol.

The company wants to be allowed to sell beer, wine and liquor but generally does not sell enough nonalcohol related items to be considered a restaurant. Dining establishments are considered restaurants if 51 percent of their revenue comes from nonalcoholic sales.
Neighborhood leaders are concerned that a more barlike atmosphere will have detrimental effects on Beach Park, a South Tampa neighborhood just blocks from the mall.

'There is just no way we should start a bar scene at WestShore Plaza,' said Margaret Vizzi, who is active in the Beach Park Homeowners Association. 'You have one of those and then you put up a next one.'

Her neighbor, Emmy Purcell Reynolds, is president of the homeowners group. In an e-mail, she said the group wouldn't mind if the pub operated like a restaurant, but the group does not support a bar.

'We do not want another Ybor City, Channelside or Blue Martini at WestShore Plaza so close to residential,' she wrote.

The menu for Baker St. Pub & Grill contains plenty of food options, such as fish and chips platters and burgers. The establishment also offers several menu pages of alcohol beverages, such as martinis, beer and margaritas.
Neighborhood leaders also fear that the pub will stay open until 3 a.m. - the latest hour alcohol can be sold in the city.

According to paperwork filed with the city, tentative operating hours are 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., seven days a week. Hours may be adjusted depending on patron traffic.
Botsch said other mall restaurants close at 3 a.m. He thinks 3 a.m. might be a bit late for the pub to stay open, but he said he is willing to consider it if the pub proves to be a good neighbor.

Representatives of Baker St. Pub & Grill did not return phone calls Monday.

The city council is scheduled to consider the request for alcohol sales on Thursday.

Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.

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