Couple Aims To Open Seminole Heights Tavern

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - Owners of a proposed German-style deli and tavern won initial approval from the city council Thursday to sell beer and wine.

A final vote is scheduled Feb. 5.

Veronica and John Vellines have a contract to buy a 1935 masonry building, 5016 N. Florida Ave., from owner James Ciaccio, pending final approval of alcohol sales. Ciaccio remodeled the former gas station several years ago and opened Van Gogh Signs Displays and Graphics.

The tavern would be similar to The Independent in St. Petersburg, also owned by the Vellines. It would seat about 40 people inside and 18 outside, and serve mostly Belgian and German drafts and imported and micro brews in the bottle.

Veronica Vellines said July would be the earliest date for opening in Seminole Heights. The couple likely will also call this tavern The Independent.

The license being sought is for beer and wine on premises, with no package sales.

A joint land-use committee of three Seminole Heights neighborhood groups supported the application if closing hours are no later than midnight Sunday through Wednesday, and 1 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Any music would have to end one hour before closing.

"We support this whole-heartedly," said Gary Ellsworth, president of South Seminole Heights Civic Association. "We appreciate their efforts to keep this a viable building."

Other neighbors spoke in support of the alcohol license.

But owners of Bungalow Bistro questioned the council's consistency in awarding alcohol licenses. Michael and Elizabeth Graham were approved several months ago for alcohol sales at their Florida Avenue restaurant, which is within a block and a half of the proposed tavern.

Michael Graham noted his restaurant was approved to stay open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, while The Independent owners have the same closing time on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Grahams raised similar objections when council earlier discussed beer, wine and liquor sales at Ella's, a restaurant under construction on Nebraska Avenue at Shadowlawn Avenue. Council members continued the hearing on that application until Feb. 19 to allow owner Melissa Deming to revise her site plan.

"I'd just like some consistency," Michael Graham said. "I don't want my business affected because someone can stay open later and I wasn't allowed to."

Councilman John Dingfelder said each application is different. "If we don't treat you exactly the same, there might be some reasons for it."