When Your Dreams Go Up in Flames

My shop is next door to Fresh Choice Plus, the restaurant Downtown lost to fire Sunday afternoon (6/8/08) . Within minutes of the fire department being called a neighbor rousted my husband and I out of our Sunday afternoon reverie with the news. We live nearby so it took us no time at all to get Downtown.

In the few minutes it took to get to the scene I wondered how I would react.

Cloud of thick, black smoke billowed out of Fresh Choice. The firemen were concentrating on putting out the fire and making sure the rest of the block didn't go up in flames. My immediate thoughts were grim. "I'm out of business," I said to no one in particular. I was heartsick. It wasn't the financial loss that made me sick. My dream was in jeopardy of going up in flames, literally. My dream.

I love what I do. I love working with people to preserve their memories and decorate their spaces. Many of my clients become friends. I love to encourage new artists. I love the fact that when I was a tot, my mom owned a frame shop. She was an artist. I loved the thought of following in her footsteps.

As I sat, waiting for events to unfold, I mulled over different scenarios. If my shop burned, would I reinvest the insurance money and reopen in this economy? If I didn't, what kind of "straight job" would I get? What boss would tolerate my independent, but highly competent, self? I would deeply miss the friends I have made along South Kentucky Avenue. I'd be adrift.

As the fear subsided, my optimistic self took over. Well, if the shop burned I would be able to rebuild and make those changes in the business plan and floor plan that I'd developed over the last three years. I could make it better. Maybe it wouldn't be the end of the world after all. It would just be The Dream-Part II.

Soloman and Said showed up. I will never forget the look on their faces. I recognized it. It was the look one gets when they are watching their dream go up in flames. Although I know their minds were dizzy with grief and fear, I hoped subliminally they heard me when I said, "Think of this as a clean slate. You can make all those little changes you've thought of since the doors opened on your dream."

I imagine that's what my grandmother had in mind when she always told me to try, try again.

Fresh Choice Plus Fire

On Sunday afternoon, June 8th, Fresh Choice Plus experienced a fire that involved the entire restaurant. Thankfully, Sheila King and her family were at their shop, SugaRush, next to the restaurant, and quickly sounded the alarm. SugaRush experienced smoke damage that will delay their opening. FastFrame, on the other side of Fresh Choice Plus, smells a little like smoke but suffered no damage.

Thanks to the Lakeland Fire Department the fire was quickly extinguished and the remainder of the block on South Kentucky was unharmed.

The DLP and its members extend their condolences to Soloman and Said Wassef and the Fresh Choice Family. The Wassefs are an important thread in the fabric of Downtown and we eagerly await their return!

Quality Health Plans Host Member Picnic

On May 22, 2008, Quality Health Plans Inc. In cooperation with the Lakeland Downtown Partnership held our first annual member appreciation picnic. We hope this will be the first of many such events. QHP wanted to let our members know in a tangible way just how much we appreciate them. In spite of somewhat threatening weather, the turnout was great. Everyone enjoyed the fellowship and the food that was catered by Good Buddies here in downtown Lakeland.

Timothy E. Baggett Sr.

Regional Manager
Quality Health Plans Inc.
2435 U.S. Highway 19 Suite 470
Holiday, Florida 34691

Winter Park Rejects Force-Fed Resolution for Commuter Rail

I spoke at the Winter Park city commission meeting this evening. On the agenda was a resolution supporting commuter rail written for them by Metroplan (Harry Barley) who has prepared a similar resolution for every town/city in Central Florida to sign (including those not on the rail line). The plan is to then collect them and return to Tallahassee to press their case.

But Winter Park city commission was having none of this cookie-cutter, force-fed resolution. Three commissioners and the mayor all recognized that this was an attempt to use them to bolster support in Tallahassee for the state's assumption of CSX's liability.

Instead they rejected this resolution and decided to draft their own, perhaps supporting looking at alternative passenger rail plans utilizing Amtrak for the entire I-4 corridor.

It was a victory for true passenger rail proponents. Winter Park refused to be a pawn in the liability game. I expect other cities to follow Winter Park's lead.

You can view the resolution they rejected at:
http://www.cityofwinterpark.org/2005/govt/agenda_packet.shtml

I'm A Believer - In The Chop Shop's Burgers

"Now I'm a believer
Not a trace
Of doubt in my mind."

The Monkees "I'm A Believer"

Since Ty and Abby Starkey opened The Chop Shop on South Kentucky Avenue, I have been hearing about their great burgers. People rave about them. People rave about a lot of things, but they genuinely loved the burgers and atmosphere at The Chop Shop.

So, surrendering to the herd mentality my husband and I stopped in for dinner last night. The herd was right. The burger was succulent, cooked just right, and loaded with fresh toppings. The bun was grilled lightly and substantial enough to contain the juicy filling.

I am an unrepentant fan of all things considered deviant in the dietary world today. I love red meat - rare. I'm a fan of real butter, refined sugar (used to work for a company that makes the stuff) and caffine. I do love vegetables, too. But, when you're in need of comfort food, nothing beats a burger so juicy that you feel like you have to take a bath after eating it. Eating that burger at The Chop Shop was a luxurious experience. OK, my tastes are simple.

Because I also believe in moderation in (most) everything, I am glad to see vegetarian choices on
the menu as well. They have a good beer selection, although my husband pointed out that they didn't have Sam Adams.

The Chop Shop is fun and noisy and full of laughter and definitely worth a visit. One thing Downtown does have is a good selection of locally owned and operated restaurants and cafes. They all beat the pants off of the "chain gang" experiences.

CSX Stuff You Gotta Read

OK, if anyone thought that I had a lot to say about the CSX issue, grab a snack. Aikane Leo's latest post is awesome so please read and share with your friends. The link to the blog is on the blog list at the top left of this page.

Parking in Downtown - Perception Is Reality

I attended a great meeting today with city folks, parking consultants and property owners. The subject: Parking in Downtown Lakeland. I will not bore you with all of the details of the meeting, but just know that it was constructive. Like any 100 year old urban core, Downtown Lakeland has its share of parking issues.

I am of the belief that the parking problem, to a certain extent, is really a perception problem. Sure, there is plenty of parking in Downtown. But much of the parking is away from the retail core, which makes the free and available parking the least convenient. Therefore there is a perception of not enough parking in Downtown. But for those of us who do not mind walking 100 yards or so when we don't get lucky enough to get that coveted spot right in front of where we want to be, there is not a parking crisis today.

But we have to look to the future as we work to get our retail core back on track and court more large companies to utilize our office spaces. I am in full support of building parking structures that incorporate retail, office, residential and parking all in one so that we do not fill our Downtown with more Main Street garages. I think that is where we are headed through public/private partnerships discussed today.