New Business Coming to South Highland Avenue

The little lot at the corner of Cambridge Drive and South Highland Ave has been vacant for nearly a decade.

A couple of produce marts and even a take out taco stand briefly occupied the spot at 1791 S. Highland after a gas station closed there in the late 1990s.

But now a Clearwater businessman hopes to resurrect the long neglected corner lot. Only Fernando Chavez doesn't yet know what kind of business he's going to open there.

"I bought this property for my business, either a restaurant or a garage," Chavez told Patch recently.

"I originally wanted to open a classic car lot, complete with restoration facilities, but there are a lot of issues with that I found out."

Chavez said unforeseen issues with the property and permitting have forced him to rethink his plans for the 150-square-foot lot.

"After I bought it, the city told me I had to get an architect and this permit and that, and close the one entrance off," he said. "Now I'm not sure what I'm going to do."

Still Chavez said he remains committed to the property and hopes to build a long term business there.

"I bought this place not to resell it but to open a business so I can retire," he said. 

But he admitted if the hassles become to hard to handle, he might have to abandon his dream.

"I hope to do something nice here," he added. "As long as the city and county don't give me too hard a time. Or else I'll just fly away!"

Patch asked readers on Largo Patch's Facebook page what they thought should come to this space.

"Drug store," suggested Karen Rennell Garrant.

"What a fantastic looking mid century modern building! Hope they don't tear it down," wrote Leah Russell.

What would you like to see here? Post a comment below and join the conversation.