Citrus Country Groves plans to move a retail operation into the former Orange Blossom Groves building at 5800 Seminole Blvd. in October.
SEMINOLE – Citrus Country Groves, a citrus shipper based in Dade City, plans to expand its retail operation into Seminole this fall.
The company, which operates at 18200 U.S. 19 N. in Clearwater, hopes to open for business Oct. 15 under a three-year lease in the former Orange Blossom Groves building at 5800 Seminole Blvd.
Mark Ely, community development director for Seminole, said the move is pending a development agreement with the city, which is being brokered by attorney Steve Williams, who also authored the development agreement for the Sembler Co./Kohl’s Department Store project on Park Street.
Once the development agreement is complete it will be presented to the City Council for approval following two public hearings.
“They’re not going to use the entire building,” said Ely. “They plan retail sales and it’s my understanding there will be a static display of how oranges go in the hopper.”
Mayor Jimmy Johnson said a large sign in front of the building needs to be moved back 10 feet or removed to meet city zoning requirements. Ely said the issue can be taken care of through a waiver in the development agreement, which would also allow Citrus Country to offer wine tastings to the public.
The issues are expected to be resolved in time for the business to open on time.
“It’s a vacant building and we don’t like vacant buildings in Seminole,” said Johnson.
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