Cheyenne Saloon returns, Winter Park is quite the bully

So let's start the blog off with some good news, turns out a familiar face will be returning to Church Street in downtown Orlando next week. The much-loved Cheyenne Saloon will be opening its doors again on Valentine's Day. The country-themed nightclub will have LONESTAR play at 9:30 p.m., Collin Raye will play Feb. 15 and Lee Greenwood on Feb. 16.

I'm not a big fan of country music, but I'm a big fan of bars and many have colored me a bit nostalgic so I'll be stopping by for sure. For more info on the grand re-opening or the acts go to www.cheyennesaloonandoperahouse.com or call 407-839-3000.

Now for the bad, it seems the city of Winter Park is playing bully to some of its own folks and business owners. The city has come across my desk twice today. Once in connection with the Winter Park St. Patrick's Day Parade almost being canceled and another time for playing a role in an impending lawsuit against the city of Winter Park by Eli Tobias, owner of Black Chapel Tattoo on 2180 W. Fairbanks Ave.

First, the parade problem, that has now been resolved for the most part. For the past 29 years Jack Burbridge of the Irish-American Cultural Society says the parade has taken place due in part by donations from local businesses and the certificate of insurance being waived by the city. Supposedly, according to Burbridge that tacks on an extra $3000. That was until this year when the city didn't waive the certificate jeopardizing this Winter Park tradition (that's a lot of coin to raise). Thankfully, in the nick of time, beer distributor Schenck popped for the $3000 to make the parade happen. Yay Schenck, tsk tsk City of Winter Park.

Now worse, it seems the city is harassing a reputable and well-liked business owner Eli Tobias. You may remember Eli from his downtown ventures Eli's Cribb and Thee Grotto. Those businesses were pushed out by Cameron Kuhn, for real estate redevelopment. Have you walked by that building lately? It's been covered up for the past three years with no redevelopment or any kind of development happening at all. What a waste! But I digress. So now Tobias is a target again, but this time from the City of Winter Park.

Back in December, the Winter Park Police Department shut him down for an expired occupational license, turns out it's not the police department's job to do that and it's not grounds for closing a business.

The next day Tobias was informed by the city that he could no longer give away alcoholic beverages to his clients because he doesn't have a license. The tattoo shop has an occupational license (when it was reinstated) of "art studio/studio gallery. Has anyone been to an art or fashion show at any of the salons or galleries around Winter Park? Giving away alcohol is a regular occurrence. I bet if those Park Avenue types added a few tattoos and body piercings to their current look they would be getting warnings as well. Is that how it works Winter Park? You have to look a certain way and then the laws don't apply to you?

In early January, patrol cars parked between the sidewalk and the church parking lot next door started becoming a regular occurrence during working hours. The worst though, is what was stated in a letter from Tobias' attorney David I. Rickey, Esq. to the mayor of Winter Park David C. Strong. According to this letter the property owner, Matthew Thilmony, met with the Director of Planning and Community Development for the  City Jeffrey Briggs. This was the correspondence: "Mr. Thilmony asked Mr. Briggs if he know of his tenet Mr. Tobias. Mr. Briggs responded, in his exact words, ‘Yes, all too well; Eli has an answer for everything; are they still throwing “raves?”’ He then accused my client of being a drug dealer. At this point, the landlord, Mr. Thilmony asks Mr. Briggs if any arrests had been made, and where he came up with such a statement. Mr. Briggs replied “No, but it’s a tattoo shop, duh!”

A tattoo shop, duh? That's right Mr. Briggs anyone that would dare take a needle to another's skin and create what they call "art" on their bodies and listen to that crazy house music must be on drugs. Get a grip you small-minded twit. It's really sad the amount of ignorance that exists in this town.

Anyway, come out and support Eli and his business this Saturday night. Alternet, a new contemporary art gallery located inside Black Chapel will have its pre-grand opening party and art show from 7 - 11 p.m. with DJs and refreshments (as Tobias puts it "I'm giving away alcohol just like any other licensed art gallery in Winter Park does).

Good for you Eli, I'll be more than happy to drink it.