Tina and Joe’s Cafe ranked as top proposal to move business to city’s historic building
Tina and Joe’s Café is the front-runner to move its popular, quaint restaurant into the Captain Jeffries House on Fifth Avenue.
After five years serving loyal customers in Dade City’s historic district, Tina and Joe Novak are one step closer to opening up shop in the most historic building in Zephyrhills. The Novaks, longtime residents of Zephyrhills, are ready to bring their fresh menu packed with homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées and desserts to their hometown.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Tina Novak said Monday after City Council approved the bid ranking that put Tina and Joe’s Café at the top of the list. “I have lived in this town a long time and this is going to be great. I am so excited about the change.”
The next step for the Novak’s and the City of Zephyrhills, their potential landlord, is to negotiate a lease for the home of the city’s founder.
The City received three responses to the request for proposals — Tina and Joe’s Café, Flower’s by Annie, and Shell’s Killer Bakery.
The Evaluation Committee consisting of CRA Director Gail Hamilton, City Building Official Bill Burgess, City Senior Planner Rodney Corriveau, and Pasco County Economic Development Agency’s, Mike Bishop, reviewed the responses and the Committee was unanimous in their rankings of responses with Tina and Joe’s Café leading the way followed by Flower’s by Annie and Shell’s Killer Bakery.
Based on the feedback from the Committee Tina and Joe’s Café response met all of the criteria listed in the RFP therefore, it was the consensus of the Committee there was no need to proceed with the interview process.
“I’m proud to be going in there,” Tina Novak said. “It’s going to be neat. I know the history.”