Florida Agenda

By DALE MADISON

Wilton Drive will soon welcome its newest watering hole, when the Village Pub makes its “rebut” (pronounced “raybyoo,” as in, second debut) during the next few weeks. Business partners Greg Phelps, Mark Byard, Alex Sadeghi, and Jerry Yerich say they plan to revolutionize the bar business.

The owners say they are both intrigued and encouraged by an unexpected occurrence during the construction of the bar (which will be at 2283 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors), was once the location for J.J.’s Otherside and, more recently, The Mix: The contractor discovered that back in the 1970s the bar had been named “The Village Pub.”

“When Mark and I created the name and the logo we had no idea that this was the original name,” said Phelps, a veteran behind a bar for nearly 20 years. “With help of Wilton Manors’ the Grande Dame Diane Cline, we even found photos of the location’s original façade. Diane is helping create our ‘Wilton Manors Wall,’ which will include historic photos, memorabilia, and facts about our great little town,” he adds.

“We will have six separate sound zones that can be independently controlled,” notes Byard about their plans for the interior. “One will be for the sports bar, one on the dance floor, one for the main bar, and the others will be for the outside areas.

If you look at the building from the front you will notice first all new doors. We are also removing the covered windows, and installing what will appear to be garage doors, so that during good weather they will be opened with a slatted air wall inside,” to help regulate sound going onto the Drive. Phelps added that the position of the VJ booth will include a full view of the entire bar, so that the sound and videos can be adjusted at a moment’s notice.

Along with individual video monitors around the bar, there will be a 76-inch screen located at the main bar. “In the center of the main bar will be a retractable stage for performances, so that anyone at any place in the lounge will be able to see from any vantage point,” Phelps explains, adding, “We want to make this a real destination in Wilton Manors.”

Concerning the ever-present Wilton Drive parking issue, Byard says that in addition to a dedicated back lot, “we have already contracted for valet service, so no one will need to worry about getting a ticket or getting towed. We don’t want anyone to worry about that.” Phelps and Byard say they are shooting for an opening before Halloween.

You can view images of the bar construction’s work in progress at villagepubwm.com.

By DALE MADISON

Ken Hill resembles nothing so much as a proud father as he surveys the progress that contractors have made on his soon-to-open Infinity Lounge (2184 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, in the Gables Wilton Park condominium), which he plans to unveil soon. Considering that he just signed the lease in June is a tribute to that progress. “The City of Wilton Manors has been superlative,” Hill says. “They have worked with us so graciously. I know I have heard stories about how difficult they can be, but they have just been amazing for me to work with.” His praise extends to the contractor he chose. “Believe me, you have to be very selective—but they have just been here when they say they are going to be, and have been phenomenal,” he adds.

Hill has applied that selectiveness to every facet of the build-out, not least in the décor and environment he plans to invoke. “I picked the deep blue color for the walls, as I feel it’s very relaxing—to almost a ‘Zen’ type of feeling,” he says. “The Tiffany turquoise blue adds another great accent color.” He describes the painstaking detail, including an upholstered banquette and chandeliers. “I think we’re going to have one great upscale place,” Hill predicts, paternal pride in evidence.

Of the service and libations, Hill calls to mind “Martinis and old fashioned drinks. It’s going to not be your regular bar.” He describes the upscale, casual-formal vision for Infinity Lounge: “I wanted something that people would want to dress up for to go out—somewhere that you would want to put on a pressed shirt and nice slacks, or—if you’re a lady—a dress or skirt,” he chuckles at the Gayborhood irony. “Sorry I just had to say that.” Hill also plans outside, alfresco seating.

“There are enough eateries along the Drive that do a great job—I want to provide great drinks, and great music, and an environment that other locations don’t offer,” he explains. “I am trying to target a different segment of the market,” Hill adds. “I want my own niche, and I want to add to the Drive. To me, that’s what makes our community as great as it is, let’s ‘add to,’ and not take away from.”

Hill plans to open Infinity Lounge within the next few weeks. “I am hoping within two weeks, but as we all know, it depends on the final Certificate of Occupancy.”

For more information, visit infinityloungefl.com, or facebook.com/infinityloungefl.

By DALE MADISON

Long a fixture on Wilton Drive, Shawn & Nick’s Courtyard Café has been known for years as a great place for breakfast and lunch, or a late-night, post-weekend-bar-crawl snack. The story goes well beyond that. When was the last time—especially in South Florida—that you heard of a business deal being made over a handshake?

When owners Nick Berry and Shawn Bombard first discussed the idea of purchasing the venerable restaurant from former owners Norman and Judy, Bombard recalls “I wanted to buy a cleaning business and a laundromat, but Nick had other ideas. Bombard, who had a professional restaurant background, had been looking for a change. “It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy the food business, but I thought perhaps it was time for a change,” he remarked over iced tea.

“Now 10 years later, here I am still at it. Funny, some things as we go through life just don’t change.”

For years, Bombard had been the selfdescribed “caustic and loud” waiter whom everyone requested to be sat in his station, just for a chance to be insulted and yelled at. It was just a tradition that longtime patrons had come to expect and, frankly, for this writer, Sunday just wasn’t the same without biscuits and gravy—and Shawn asking “Is that enough for you fatty?”—always with a laugh. (Those days of biscuits and gravy are long gone: now it’s black coffee and fruit salad.)

The Comfort Food Kings Berry and Bombard also participate in the community that patronizes them.

Full disclosure: when I worked for a local non-profit, Shawn called and offered a special dinner menu with 10% of the sales donated to the organization. The business pair has also supported numerous other local organizations, and they do so during their busiest nights. For Bombard and Berry, giving back is serious business.

Bombard says that he would like to see more boutiques and similar businesses make their way to Wilton Drive. “I miss the retail stores,” he offers. “It seems that the Drive has been just focusing on bars and restaurants. I really preferred when we had a good mix of retail and food and bars.” As for other changes on the Drive: “Honestly, the meters have hurt all of the businesses. I know the city needs revenue, but it has hurt.”

The growth of business at Courtyard Café’s flagship location (they have a satellite at The Depot bar in Fort Lauderdale and also own and operate Gelato Station, just down the Drive) from 60 meals (“covers” in the business) a day when Berry and Bombard purchased the restaurant to 120 covers today, and from 150 sold on Saturday and Sunday to 300, is a Drive success story worth reflecting upon in leaner times. “Here is the bottom line,” says Bombard. “Good food, good prices, get ‘em in, get ‘em out, but never let them feel neglected. It’s all about customer service.”

By DALE MADISON

Stephanie Lee, one of the owners of the new Wilton Drive eatery Pinché Taqueria, has enjoyed her share of twists and turns, both personally and professionally. Lee, along with business partner Jeff Chartier, has been a professional restaurateur for three years. She and Chartier met when both worked in the financial industry, he a broker and Lee a trader in the same brokerage.

Before becoming a broker, Chartier lived in Tijuana, Mexico, where he learned all facets of the food industry–from the “front of the house” to working the line and serving. Little did he think at the time that it would be something for which he would feel such passion.

While living in New York in 2009, with the mortgage business collapsing, both Chartier and Lee knew that something would have to change. Chartier opened his first Pinché Taqueria in the SoHo neighborhood of Lower Manhattan. Serving basic Mexican cuisine, the small restaurant could only seat about 10 people, but if you’ve ever been to New York City, many of the restaurants are small, basically with walk up service, allowing patrons to grab and go to get back to the office.

He had just opened his second store: “Are you ready to leave that desk job?” he asked. The rest is cliché, or history, as we say. Lee continued to work at her office day job, and at night learned the Mexican food business inside and out.

Both Lee and Chartier realized that they really didn’t want to spend winters in the New York cold. Besides, as Lee pointed out, “our business really slowed in the winter months.

Enter Lee’s hairstylist, Eric, who is friends with Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick. When Lee mentioned that she and Chartier were thinking of opening a store in Florida, Eric’s immediate response was “Go to Wilton Manors.”

The pair packed their bags, boarded a plane, and flew to Greater Fort Lauderdale to search for a location. “We found this big white box building,” Lee described the Wilton Drive complex across from City Hall that now houses their restaurant. The two designed the architectural layout, and presented their ideas to the building’s owner, who loved the look, was excited about the plans, and approved it on the spot.

Lee and Chartier are hoping to make a splash in the Gayborhood, with their Grand Opening scheduled for Wednesday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m., an event that’s sponsored by Herradura Tequila. Lee says that food delivery service starts this week, with delivery from Commercial Blvd. to Las Olas Blvd., and from Powerline Rd. to Federal Highway. Curiosity got the best of me and I had to ask, “What is the meaning in Spanish of Pinché Taqueria?” Lee paused with a twinkle in her eye: “I don’t know if you can put this in your article but it is Mexican slang meaning ‘that f’ing Taqueria.’” I will let the editor make the call on this one.

I stopped by Pinché Taqueria for lunch later that afternoon, and I will say the food was great and the place a wonderful addition to the growing restaurant community on Wilton Drive.

As for co-owner Stephanie Lee, one look at her face is all you need to know about her feelings for her new venture and her new town: “I am having the time of my life and I will never go back to a desk job,” she said. When you visit Pinché, tell them Guy Magazine sent you.

WILTON MANORS – On Wednesday, March 14, “Nuts About Yogurt” officially held its Grand Opening, with a ribbon cutting and event to welcome the newest addition to the once-again-thriving Wilton Drive. The store, located at 2207 Wilton Drive, next to Bill’s Filling Station and the Courtyard Café, “is a self-serve frozen yogurt shop which is a healthy alternative to ice-creams and cakes, but doesn’t take away any of the fun and enjoyment of that experience,“ said Leor Barak, the owner of Nuts About Yogurt.

“With more than half of adults controlling their diet and trying to lead healthier lifestyles, we wanted to give Wilton Manors the option to have their cake and eating it, too–so to speak,” added Barak.

Barak says he chose Wilton Manors as the site of his business because of the city’s amazing diversity. After visiting for the first time in 2008, it became his dream to live in the Island City. That dream is now his reality, and he is quickly laying down stakes and becoming a part of the community.

“Leor is indeed a welcome addition to Wilton Manors,” said Krishan Manners, President and CEO of Wilton Manors Main Street. “Not only has he opened a business here, but he also donated 100% of the evening’s profits to Broward House as a way to give back to the community.”

“His passion for the business and love of Wilton Manors are evident in his actions,” added Manners, a familiar face on the Drive and community leader in his own right who has become something of an unofficial ombudsman and unapologetic advocate for business development. “We as a community need to support him and get his business off to a strong start. And,” he noted with an impish touch, “I highly recommend the peanut butter yogurt.”

Nuts About Yogurt is open Sunday through Thursday from noon-11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from noon until midnight.

“Our brand was created from a profound love of–and passion for–guiltless desserts,” said Barak, “I love this city and its people and decided early on that my goal is to give back. Without guilt,” Barak added with a smile.

By RICHARD DAVID CHAMBERLAIN

As the song lyric goes, you never lose affection for people and things that went before. And you hope that in some instances, that affection grows with time and experiences. That is what springs to mind after a recent Sunday brunch at the new Tropics on Wilton Drive, now owned and operated by Tony Dee and Charlie Mielke, the same successful entrepreneur-restaurateurs who captained the long-unparalleled Chardee’s on Wilton Drive.

To observe the omnipresent Dee and Mielke in their new venture, the signature Drive bistro, Tropics, is to see two men who have been eager to drop the word “semi” from the phrase semi-retired. Individually and in-tandem, they are more akin in energy and élan to a pair of newly-minted tavernières than the successful team who helmed Wilton Manors long-reigning jewel, Chardee’s, which opened in 1990.

While Dee greets guests and presses the flesh with friends new and old at the restaurant’s front tables, Mielke takes a moment to adjust his chef’s smock and explain without irony what the secret is to their success this time around.

“I say this with all humility,” Mielke noted while he ascertained if my boyfriend was enjoying the red velvet cake–his second piece, “that in over 50 years of being in business, I have never worked with a team like the one we inherited. They are truly what is meant by the phrase ‘cooking with the right ingredients.’”

That team was in rare form on that Sunday morning of Super Bowl. When we arrived just after 11 a.m., the dining room was already a-buzz, with guests enjoying conversation along with a generous side of coffee, mimosas, bloody Marys, and screwdrivers. The restaurant’s signature Sunday brunch ($16.95) includes your choice of two free adult cocktails. However, we were feeling that the calories were best invested at the buffet tables, and so I nursed one vodka-OJ while he managed his caffeine intake. Both of us did avail ourselves of Sunday-Morning-Hydration, and our ever-present server, Paulo, was always ready with a refill on the H2O.

After navigating our way through the breakfast lasagna and baked French toast, which both warranted multiple trips, we each returned, bounty in hand. Our plates included equal measures of spinach quiche, biscuits and gravy, Eggs Benedict, roast beef (freshly sliced from the neighboring carving station), link sausages, fruit cups, bacon strips, and omelets the size of footballs and prepared to-order (then delivered to you, on top of that).

As we ate our way through a variety of great twists on old faves (French toast that comes deliciously disguised in the consistency of bread pudding!), my bf pointed out the room looked brighter and more welcoming. Dee slid in to join us, and added that the restaurant is open for business during alterations, and that his decorating crews have enhanced the room with brighter, lighter colors, and by letting in the natural lighting. In addition, they have added weekly specials to reward their existing guests and to welcome those who want to see what Tropics looks like with a little shade of Dee and Mielke magic thrown in.

As regular patron John Ellis and his partner came over to say hello to Dee and us, my boyfriend mumbled something about overindulging his “inner Kristie Alley.”

Meanwhile, Dee insisted I enjoy another piece of red velvet cake—and I do mean insisted. One doesn’t say no to the Dean of the Drive. We will be coming back.

By RICHARD HACK

She’s naked and she’s hot, and hiding in plain sight right on Wilton Drive. We’re speaking, of course, of the Naked Grape Wine Bar, which manages to mix cozy with industrial in a welcome mat of stainless steel, plush seating and dark walls mixed with a friendly cliental that seemed to flow as couples throughout a recent Saturday night visit.

Nutritional counselor and fitness trainer Andy Kress joined me to taste our way through the Grape’s new tapas menu with features flatbread pizza, panini sandwiches and an assortment of crisp and tempting salads. But it was the cheese sampler plate ($15) that attracted Andy’s palate. Three half-servings from the extensive cheese case sounds like it should be a gourmand’s dream, but making a choice from their huge selection was hardly simple.

The first taste of  Humboldt Fog ripened goat cheese, with its layer of edible vegetable ash, combined creamy texture with a tangy overglow. A great start to a varied assortment. The cave-aged gruyere made with cow’s milk was far subtler, but no less tasty.

Perfectly creamy while still maintaining its shape. Our third sample, the  sheep’s milk manchego, the definitive Spanish cheese, had a piquant, buttery and nutty flavor, distinguishing it from the trio, which came with British biscuit crackers and was accompanied by a caramelized Vidalia onion compote.

While still on the Small Plates section of the menu, we were lured by Manny’s Lower East Side Chopped Liver ($5) that was supposed to be served with a French baguette, but instead came with saltines. Either way, Manny knows his stuff—for the thick and rich chopped liver was laced with onions and eggs and a symphony of ethnic undercurrents.

The freshly prepared lump-crab cakes were easily the best deal on the entire menu at a scant $10 for two. Served on a bed of arugula, the crab cakes featured a sun-dried tomato finishing butter that left a lingering taste of garlic, basil and oregano just behind our smiling lips.

Our ever-informative server Johnny sold us on trying a dish called Three Little Pigs ($10), which at that point in the evening was exactly how we were beginning to feel as we loosened our belts and continued to graze the way Americans increasing do these days. As it turned out, the “pigs” of the title were actually slightly-larger-than-cocktail-size wieners, snuggled in a fresh bun and decorated with a host of accessory items that gave each a regional twist.

Not surprisingly, the least inspiring and tasty was the American: with its roasted red pepper catsup and mustard relish. Far more of a standout was the Mexican: an excellent combination of corn relish, jalapeno, and chipotle mustard dressing. Hot, sweet and delicious. But the triple-crown went to the out-of-the park Greek: a baby weiner covered in feta cheese, diced cucumber, Kalamata olives with a Greek tahini dressing. All three were served were can’t-stop-eating-them blue potato chips. Yum!

As I went wondering through the bar-restaurant, chatting up customers and joining in various celebrations in progress, it was evident that the Naked Grape is a happy place. There’s a fireplace warmth to the space without a fireplace. That glow you feel is from the friendly faces and outstretched hands. Not only are you encouraged to linger here, there are scattered board games—Yahtze, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit among them—to keep you fastened to your seats.

At the far end of Naked Grape, a retail section features jars of specialized chutneys, antipastos, jellies, relishes plus warm and cold dips, fresh from the Virginia Chutney Company in Arlington. And then, of course, there are the walls of wines—available for purchase by the bottle, glass, or two-ounce taste beginning at $2.50. What a clever way to explore the vineyard without committing half-a-paycheck in the process.

Co-owner/proprietor Caleb Ben-Avram is always in the kitchen, positioned right next to the eight-seat bar where the cute bartender Ben is a blur of activity and effervescence, while co-owner Tim Slivinski works the room.

Walk through the door at the Naked Grape and you’re family. And like family, you’ll immediately feel at home, and come back again and again.

By Alex Vaughn

Photo: Artist’s rendering of what the 2100 block of Wilton Drive would look like if the Two Lane Initiative moves forward.

Krishan Manners is the President of Wilton Manors Main Street, an organization which serves the community of Wilton Manors. The group is made up of residents, business owners, property owners, area institutions and organizations, elected officials, municipal staff and other interested parties. The Florida Agenda sat down with President and CEO Krishan Manners to get his take on the community, the future and the advantages of Wilton Manors.

Please tell Agenda readers a bit about your upbringing?
I guess that really starts in New Delhi, India, where I was born – and from which my given name comes – and lived the first few years of my life before moving to north Florida as a small child. I grew up there, left the state for college and, ultimately, spent most of my adult life in New York City.

What brought you here to South Florida?
My partner passed away a few years ago and I had fallen into a bit of a routine of being sad. That’s perfectly normal for a while, but it was really time to shake up my life. I woke up one morning and said, “Today’s the day.” I knew I wanted to stay on the east coast, so I mentally went from Maine to Florida in my mind, deciding what I wanted my life to look like next. I made a few phone calls – including one to a dear friend of mine who lived here. Movers were hired and a date was set by the end of the day.

Why did you choose to get involved with the community?
I’ve always involved myself in my community when I could, but I really just tripped into it in Wilton Manors. I had one friend here and he was involved with Main Street, so I began solely to help him. As I became more involved, I realized that this was a good ‘fit’ for me and an opportunity to really make a difference. From my undergrad degree in political science, my work in the South Carolina House of Representatives during college, a career in marketing and advertising in New York to my volunteer work on the marketing committee for a business improvement district – it’s all being utilized in my current role. To me, that’s what it’s all about – using what we know to help improve both our lives and the lives of others – it’s a win/win.

Please tell Agenda readers some more about Wilton Manors Main Street and what you do and are aiming to achieve.
Wilton Manors Main Street is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that has been around for 9 years and has done a number of projects to better the community during that time. They created a set of design guidelines for construction on the drive; they have done beautification projects such as the “Diggin’ the Drive” landscaping project. Just before I arrived on the scene, they began the Two-Lane Initiative to both make the drive safer, add landscaping and additional parking. The Two-Lane Initiative is currently being reviewed and explored by the Wilton Drive Task Force who will ultimately make a recommendation to the City Commission to move forward or not. I’m on that task force and I have nothing but admiration for the other folks on it. They’re smart, they know this city and I sincerely believe that a solid recommendation will result, although it may or may not be unanimous.

What we’re ultimately trying to achieve is a successful Arts & Entertainment District along the drive. One with a good mix of
businesses in a pedestrian-friendly environment that will provide both the residents of Wilton Manors and our visitors a destination resulting in a better quality of life in the city.

How does Wilton Manors differ from other gay meccas?
In my opinion, the primary difference is that we’re a small, southern town with both a large gay minority and a welcoming straight majority. The diversity here really impresses me. I love the fact that we aren’t just ‘tolerated’ here, but welcomed. Like the other gay meccas, we have bars and a seasonal population, but there is also a richness to life here that I’ve not found in those other cities.

What are the advantages of working within the gay community?
I think simply being able to be open and comfortable with being who I am. It was never a problem for me in New York, but in the south, in a primarily conservative state, that level of comfort can be a bit elusive. Being here, in the heart of a community that celebrates its diversity, is simply the best of both worlds.

What are the disadvantages?
It is a small community. Everyone seems to know everyone, which can result in either an amazing sense of family or fertile ground for gossip. We, as a community, need to be kinder to each other!

There has been talk of trouble on the Drive with rent increases and the mix of businesses. What do you think about that?
I don’t think it will come as a surprise to anyone that some businesses on the drive are having a hard time.

A lot of people simply do not have the expendable cash they had a few years ago, resulting in lower sales. Add that to the fact that it’s summer and our seasonal folk are gone and then a landlord wants to raise rents? It’s a poor long-term strategy.

My suggestion to landlords searching for tenants is to actually look at the types of businesses around your property and ask, “What will compliment those businesses?” If you look at the groupings in a mall, you’ll find anchor stores, a food court and groupings of businesses.  That’s what we need keep in mind. We need to create these areas that will get people out of their cars and shopping.  That will help keep these storefronts filled, which is the ultimate goal for a landlord.

What do you think Wilton Manors is lacking in terms of business?
A few things. We need a boutique hotel, desperately. As it stands, we have a few lovely small resorts and guest houses, but most visitors stay at the beach and come to Wilton Manors in the evening for the bar scene. I’d rather give them someplace to stay here and capture the additional revenue for our local businesses. I’d love to see live theatre here.  I think we need more art, more specialty retail shops. Good restaurants are always a draw. With those businesses in place, I believe we’re in a better position to attract people to – and keep them on – Wilton Drive.

How do you feel the community can get involved?
There are innumerable ways to get involved. For those with free time on their hands, there are business groups for networking, such as the RBC and WMBA. There are community groups, such as ENA, CANA and WAWM, which are focused on specific neighborhoods in Wilton Manors. There are civic groups, such as Kiwanis, that do amazing work.  And there is Main Street, which is involved in all of those areas. This city has an amazing amount of talent available that these groups can use, so decide where you want to help and find a group here that needs your help. If you don’t have time to volunteer, donations are always appreciated and allow these groups to continue to do good work. If you don’t know how to reach one of these groups, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with them.

What would you like the legacy of Wilton Manors Main Street to be?
That we made Wilton Drive safer. That our work created a more beautiful city.  That we helped bring businesses to the Arts & Entertainment district. That the businesses of Wilton Manors – and I mean anywhere in Wilton Manors, not solely on the drive – are thriving. That we’ve helped create a cultural center that embraces diversity and has become a destination for both locals and tourist. If we achieve these things, we all win.

An artists rendition of the Children’s Art Project, currently in the works

The 2011 Annual Meeting of the Wilton Manors Main Street Board,

with the new and old board of directors and city officials.

For more information,  or to get involved, visit  www.wiltonmanorsmainstreet.org

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Urban Activist Sets the Stage for a New Wilton Drive

Photo: Doug Blevins

by Bob Kecskemety

Outside of parking and parking meters, the hottest topic at almost every Wilton Manors City Commission meeting is the initiative to beautify Wilton Drive as well as make it safer for pedestrians and commuters alike by decreasing the number of lanes from four to two and increase parking.

Known as “The Main Street Initiative”, the proposal was presented by Doug Blevins, president of Wilton Manors Main Street, an organization of business and property owners charged with making downtown Wilton Manors a better place to work, play, shop and stay.

Blevins moved down to Fort Lauderdale from New York City in 1999. He had a background in theater and is a professional singer. It was down here that he was able to get theater work plus, he loved the tropical weather that goes with area.

He and his partner bought a house in the South Middle River neighborhood behind the old GLCC on Andrews Avenue. The house, which Blevins describes as being in a “questionable neighborhood but affordable”, was in disrepair and needed a new roof. Blevins cashed in his stocks, got a mortgage and started repairing the house and landscaping the yard. He was excited when the house received the Fort Lauderdale House of the Year award from the city.

“It’s ironic,” said Blevins, “it was one of the worst houses in one of the worst neighborhoods, but it showed what could happen even in a neighborhood that was struggling.”

He also became a member of the South Middle River Homeowners association. There he took on the challenge of creating a neighborhood newsletter and increased membership from 14 to over 100 which led to him becoming president of the group.  He took an interest in stopping crime, in particular drug dealing, getting rid of blighted houses and working with code enforcement. He also sat on the Fort Lauderdale Code Advisory Board.

In 2001, Blevins found another abandoned home, this time in Wilton Manors and he was determined to do it all again. He also joined the then-new Wilton Manors Main Street.

As a volunteer for WMMS, and his background in theater and being self-taught graphic artist, he would use his talents to create “artist conceptions” of some of the businesses in the area. He would redesign the building with awnings and change the colors of the buildings. He would take the drawings to the property owners and many adopted the changes he suggested. He offered this service for free.

After just 3 months of living in Wilton Manors, Blevins ran for Wilton Manors City Commission. He knew he had name recognition in Fort Lauderdale and thought that some of that recognition would follow him to his new city. He lost but got 28% of the vote which he says is pretty good for a newcomer to the city. He realized that he would have to pay his dues first before becoming an elected official.

With his interest in real estate growing, he became a real estate broker and fixed up and sold many houses and in 2004, he met architect Beau Hollingsworth, the person responsible for turning an old Burger King into what is today, Rosie’s Bar and Grill. Together, along with a couple other people including Jackson Padgett, owner of Georgie’s Alibi and Bill’s, formed Five-Points Development. Padgett had been chosen because he had a 20-plus year history of hotel development and was the former director of operations of the Seminole Hard Rock Resort and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

“This was at a time when the market was at its peak,” said Blevins. “We came up with several ideas for hotels on the drive and made concept renderings that we presented to the city which were well received. We were trying to find investors to help make [the proposals] into a reality. As we were getting into really serious talks, the economy went south and commercial real estate went out. But it didn’t stop us, we kept moving along.”

Blevins said the philosophy of Five-Points was to design places that looked like they belonged in the area and had been there for a while. The interiors of the buildings could be large, new and modern, but the façade needed to fit into the design scheme. “If you bring something that is so new and so modern, it looks out of place and scares people,” admitted Blevins. Five-Points also believed in looking into what the community wants and needs, not at what the developer wants.

Blevins continued to sit on board of Wilton Manors Main Street where he has been president for the last two years and, earlier this year, they unveiled their most ambitious project to date: the plan to take back control of Wilton Drive from the state Department

of Transportation, change each travel direction from one lane to two adding front-in parking along the entire road, widening the median strip and adding additional landscaping to both the median and sidewalks. The final result will be a safer and more inviting Wilton Drive.

Blevins explains how the changes can be done in stages and recently found a funding source for the modernization. WMMS recently identified a $10-million Federal TIGER II grant program for infrastructure changes that would positively effect the community. The grant must be guaranteed with a $2-million matching fund. But first, WMMS must raise $50,000 for economic impact studies, design and engineering. Blevins admits they only have a short period of time to apply for the grant.

Blevins compares his dreams for Wilton Drive to be a large Universal Studios where people can walk down the streets and see the beautiful facades of the buildings, each a little different from the other.

“I’ve always seen myself as an urban ‘revitalist’,” said Blevins. “I’ve done a lot of research, not only for the two-land plan but I’m also looking at other cities the size of Wilton Manors; cities that have benefitted from certain improvements such as wider and safer sidewalks and better lighting. I would like to see it as the most wonderful place you can imagine with beautiful lighting and beautiful landscape … but you don’t have to pay $100 to get in.”