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Highlands Today

Sebring May Seek Dinner Restaurants

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: January 15, 2009

SEBRING - The old saying goes that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and perhaps one way to market downtown Sebring is by attracting people to open restaurants so visitors fall in love with its fine dining.

The Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency plans to explore the idea of offering incentives to get experienced restaurateurs to open primarily dinner restaurants in the downtown, according to Pete Pollard, the CRA's executive director.

The CRA Board of Supervisors liked the concept at its Monday meeting and instructed staff to prepare a document that outlines how this would work, Pollard said.

"The goal is to get a life after 5 p.m., and perhaps take advantage of the cafe ordinance," said Pollard. The ordinance allows businesses, principally restaurants, to place tables on the sidewalks, he said.

"The idea is to provide assistance bringing older buildings up to code compliance, fire suppression, venting systems, (plumbing, or electrical) and perhaps ADA compliance; items that would stay with the building, stay in the downtown," Pollard continued.

Those are all major upfront expenses for restaurant owners wanting to get started, Pollard said. Incentives would not go toward the purchase of items such as stoves, ovens, sinks, tables, chairs, counter space or utensils.

"All we have to do now is find restaurants to offer fine dining," he said. "As a consequence, we are exploring financial incentives to attract that fine dining to downtown."

Restaurants like Charlie's Steak And Seafood, located at 113 S. Commerce Ave., in Sebring, are what the CRA staff has in mind.

Owners Sandy and Charlie Jones, who also own Sandy's Circle Cafe, thought it would be a great idea to attract other restaurants to downtown.

"I think we need some more night-time businesses down here because I'm the only restaurant open at night," said Sandy Jones.

The restaurant is open Tuesdays through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and reservations are recommended on Friday and Saturday when they remain open an extra half hour.

On Fridays, pianist Reggie Lemmen entertains with music and song, and Saturday pianist Gary Filip takes over, providing more music and song to diners.

Charlie's is about to celebrate two years in business next month, said Sandy Jones, and while business has been good, it could be better.

"On the weekend we do very well, it varies," she said. "But during the week you can walk in and get a table."

Suzette Rhoades, owner of Le Attique, two doors down from Sandy's Circle Cafe, said if there were more places open in the evening, she would definitely stay open later.

"For the classic car show, we stayed open until 8 p.m., she said. "The more you get down here, and if it's a general consensus, more people would stay open."

Rhoades said she expects that within a year there will be a revitalization downtown.

Areas in Winter Park and Sarasota now stay open later because there is a night life, including shops and restaurants, she said.

"And that's what you have to have here," she added.

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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