Wine Exchange Reopens Doors

By MICHAEL H. SAMUELS The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jun 5, 2007

TAMPA - The Wine Exchange, the popular south Tampa restaurant that closed last month after operating 17 years, reopened Monday in the same location.

"We had further discussions with Hyde Park Village," said owner Mark Smith, who plans to move his business from Swann Avenue to the village's Cactus Club building when renovations there are completed.

"It boils down to the tremendous support we received from the community as a whole," he said.

The restaurant closed May 15 after lease negotiations fell through. In a statement released with village management, Smith said the shopping area's owner, David Wasserman, persuaded him "to continue to work together."

Smith said some renovations, including painting, were done while the restaurant was closed.

Wasserman took over the village last year and wants to replace two buildings, including the one housing The Wine Exchange, with condominium towers. The city's Architectural Review Commission rejected his latest plan, but he is expected to present another proposal to the Tampa City Council in July.

Village general manager Susan Martin said the Cactus Club building should be completed in July. Each of the three named tenants, The Wine Exchange, Southside Bistro and Abbott's Frozen Custard, will handle interior construction.

"We expect everyone to be open by the fall," Martin said.

Reporter Michael H. Samuels can be reached at msamuels@tampatrib.com or (813) 835-2109.