Irvine wrap-up

This just in on the Times' Breaking News blog. Essentially, Irvine's partner, Randall Williams, and John Hamilton of Beach Drive Retail issued a statement this afternoon announcing the plans have been scrapped for Ooze and Schmooze.

The question, of course, remains: What will become of the restaurant space planned for the ground floor of 400 Beach Drive, the new 29-story, condominium tower at Fifth Avenue N.?

I've heard that Ruth's Chris Steak House was initially interested in the space, but that their "dinner only" policy didn't meet the needs of Beach Drive Retail. Perhaps that will be revisited. And repeated rumors that Jeannie Pierola (formerly of Bern's) is interested in the space appear to be wishful thinking. She did indeed look at the space, but she appears to be pursuing a possible project in Tampa.

I have calls in to a passel of local restaurateurs to see if anyone is eagle-eyeing the space, but it wouldn't surprise me to see one of the big steak houses (Capital Grille, Shula's, etc.) making a play for it.

Comments

[JM]

"The timing wasn't right" -- wow, that's putting it lighty.

Wonder if we'll see a civil action by LaTorre to collect that alleged $100K owed by Irvine?

Why do I somehow doubt it?

[Paul]

What about bringing back the little place that was there for years.. I think it was 'spankys' or something like that. Wasn't anything fancy. The first and only time I got to go there, was ironically, their last night open prior to being demolished so 400 Beach Drive could be built. Ahhh, the irony of it all. Tear down a perfectly fine establishment to build something for a fake chef. 'Ooze and Schmooze'? Jeesus, just the sound of the name would keep me from entering the place. Put in something that normal, regular, non-pretentious people can afford.

[Amy H.]

This did seem like the inevitable outcome.

[Kyle]

How about a soup kitchen to feed the homeless as we move from recession to depression?

[Joe]

Bring a vegan restaurant to the area. Despite how the obesity problem gets out of control people still want steak houses and wings and beer. Eventually they will blow from all that beef or come down with Mad Cow disease. There are children being seen by pediatricians who have cholesterol counts above 200.. Way to go tampa bay for that healthy lifestyle, all we need is another steak house.

[J.P.]

I think that Tyson is a fantastic chef- I am content with Parkshore to tell the truth. I hope whoever uses the space will come up with a better name than "Ooze and Schmooze."

[CJ]

Hey Joe , you're a moron, how many vegan restaurants do you see around? not many, people go into business to make money, people want food, not overpriced veggies.

But people also don't want overpriced crap from celebrity chefs either.

Good one Kyle, yeah soup kitchen, post something useful.

[dwight]

Wrapup, my a ss. You guys missed the story in the first place andf have tried to make up for it by hammering it incessantly until we all want to barf. Enough with this crap. How bout some dining news??????

[CJ]

DumbWight, this is dining news, big restaurant opening up downtown, that might not open.

Oh yeah, get some English lessons and learn how to type ya a ss.

[kyle]

CJ- you are a Jack.As well as someone who finds no humor in the fact that more and more people are cutting back to make ends meet. Still you want big dining news?

just go with the Ruth Chris offer

[Bill]

I'm sure the Hamilton-Churuti clan can recover from all the disappointments.

[CJ]

Kyle, need a job? I don't...
For those that do, a fine dining place downtown will help out, tips are great.

Got a free tip for you, I don't want dining news, I was to see a place to employ people, empty storefront won't do that.

Where is the humor, I don't see anything funny about about a wasted storefront that can give people jobs.

[Houston]

What's that, CJ? New vegan soup kitchen with wifi opening in prime real estate location. Dishwashers needed starting at $16/hr. No drug test required. Lighten up, Dude

[CJ]

Ok Huston, now I see humor

[The Mouth]

Now, kids, if you can't play nice I'm going to have to make some of you sit in the time-out corner. As per the empty storefront, I have confidence that something upscale will go into that spot posthaste. It's too good a location to sit idle for long.

And Dwight, I understand your logic, mostly. But because I didn't effectively fact check some of Irvine's assertions last May, does that mean I should just zip my lip in perpetuity?

[Phil]

I am not surprised to hear of this news. Bad timing? Yeah, right. More like WAY bad press!!Why keep stringing St Pete residents along all this time if it was just bad timing. I have not seen any retail at 400 Beach Drive. A Pottery Barn type store would be great and could fill up the entire ground floor. Recession or not, home decor sells. The nearest Pottery Barn is in Tampa. It would be great for the local economy too.

[Steve W.]

Seems like Bob Cheruti is having a really bad year. Tyson rocks!