Restaurants in Seminole Heights

Back on April 4th, 2007, Jay McGee posted an article to the (now defunct) Seminole Heights blog titled "S.H. Restaurant Year in Review - Conclusion". The story broke down the restaurant rumors in Seminole Heights by the categories of complete, coming soon, and rumor. Roughly two and a half years later, I thought it might be interesting to re-examine that entry and see how things turned out.

We also acquired a new Italian pizza shop on 9th and Nebraska, the Independent on Florida Ave, and a Tapas place on Sligh and Florida that is gaining a lot of deserved attention.

Of the nine complete restaurants, three have changed. Ybor Pizza/Copa Cabana is now Reservations to Go. Merino's Deli has sadly shut down. Estrella's Cafe is also closed.

In the Coming Soon list, Stephanos did re-open while the Bungalow Bistro made good on making it "soon". Ella's did open but not until mid-2009.

Rumors, as they say, aren't even worth the paper they are printed on and this list is a perfect example of it. Greg Smith did purchase his property and start building a pub; you can still see the unfinished concrete shell on Nebraska avenue just North of Hanna.

Martha's Kitchen appears to be open and doing business as of last weekend when I walked by on my way to Ellas. Angelica doesn't appear to have opened a coffee shop. Panera Bread didn't buy Leroy's but Sangrias did. However, the folks behind it are having trouble completing it. It's still as much rumor as "coming soon". Warner's Plumbing Supply did not become a sandwich shop.

OSHNA contacted Social Compact early this year and had a study done on retail demand on Nebraska Avenue through Old Seminole Heights. That study shows a large amount of untapped demand. The area is continuing to draw attention from businesspeople, especially in the restaurant business. Locally, articles have been written on Seminole Heights being the new "in" place to go out to eat.

When you dive through the neighborhood, do you look at some of the old car lots, pawn shops, vacant gas stations, and used tire stores and see our next gastro pub, farmers market, or coffee stop? Which buildings in the area spark your imagination and what would you put there?