Feb 4, 2009

Entrepreneurs Have High Hopes For Downtown Plant CityBy George WilkensPlantCity2.tbo.com

Plant City – From Wall Street to Main Street, the economy is reeling.

Yet as Circuit City and other mammoth retailers collapse and chains such as Bennigan’s shutter restaurants coast to coast, in historic downtown Plant City there is some evidence of economic optimism.

Along East Reynolds Street, eateries are grabbing up long-vacant spaces and a full-service Italian restaurant opened soon after another bailed out.

Optimism shared by newcomers to the downtown business scene is outweighed only by their enthusiasm.

“There’s magic in Plant City, and I wanted to be part of it,” said Daniel Del Pino, who invested a small inheritance and most of his lifesavings to launch Earth, Wine & Fire, 117 E. Reynolds St. “I literally walked downtown and fell in love with Plant City.”

A native of northern California’s scenic Marin County, the 38-year-old came here via Jacksonville a year ago when his employer, travel plaza operator Flying J, promoted him to manage the company’s Seffner site.

But his heart wasn’t in it, and he dreamed of opening a unique but simple place, a home away from home where customers can relax, socialize, enjoy beer or wine and smoke a cigar.

He and “sweat equity business partner” Kris Smith, a Plant City native, rented the narrow 1,200-square-foot storefront in the historic Mays Building, a long-vacant space that once housed Memory Makers sports shop, Herban Cowboy and Edge Photography.

In support of other business owners with a financial stake in Plant City, Del Pino shopped locally for his contractor, plumber, electrician and all remodeling supplies, resorting to out-of-town sources only for a grease trap and Ikea lighting. Del Pino doesn’t dream of making it big, and that’s not how he will measure success at his 44-seat establishment.

“If I can profit $300, $400 a week I can survive; my overhead is so low,” Del Pino said. “I opened up to show my passion and give life to historic downtown.”

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