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Entrepreneurs Looking To Defy Economy

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By CARL ORTH

The Suncoast News

Published: December 20, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Slump? What slump?

Two entrepreneurs are defying the economic downturn with construction projects at downtown New Port Richey businesses.

Joe Nordon, the owner of Boulevard Beef & Ale, is expanding the restaurant with a patio.

Tim Fussell, a retired firefighter, bought a vacant building to convert it into a cigar lounge. There's an outside chance the new business could open by New Year's Eve, he said.

"It's a gamble," Nordon said about the addition to his restaurant at 6236 Grand Blvd.

But then he also took a chance opening the eatery in 1997, he recalled.

About a year and a half after the opening, Nordon rolled the dice again by converting a storage area into the existing dining room.

Nordon was motivated to expand outdoors to boost seating up to 150, he said. An awning will cover about two-thirds of the patio. Last week, Nordon helped unload a truckload of the patio chairs and tables.

Once he meets the minimum seating for 150, Nordon will be eligible for an alcohol license, which might boost business, he said.

The city's Railroad Square beautification project also will provide greater exposure, Nordon said.

Fussell, too, thought the time seemed ripe for his venture, Little Coronas Cigar Lounge. After 30 years with the Pasco County fire department, Fussell retired recently.

"I was looking into something I could get into," Fussell said. "I always enjoyed cigars."

Commercial prices had plummeted in the area, Fussell said, so the price was right on the former Beach Bums swimwear shop, at 6324 Grand Blvd., which had been vacant for some time.

While some cigar establishments have popped up in the Trinity area, Fussell said he has the market pretty much to himself in and around the city. The only other cigar stores are in Hudson and Elfers.
Fussell envisions a small patio in back of the Little Coronas building and perhaps some cafe-style seating out front.

For the centerpiece of the lounge, Fussell imported Spanish cedar wood for the humidor. Spanish cedar holds the humidity better to keep cigars fresh, he said. The aroma of the special wood is better for the cigar flavor as well.

Both construction projects are being handled by Gregg Hendershot Building Contractor, which has its offices on Louisiana Avenue in New Port Richey.

Hendershot welcomed the business.

"It is, of course, a little slow" in the construction trade, Hendershot said. In fact, this is the slowest period for construction he has seen since he first got a contractor license in 1982.

Hendershot's trademarks can be seen in many downtown establishments, including work for the Karl Reef, Fitzgerald's and the Trading Faces day spa.

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