A North Lakeland bar owner is looking to open a new cocktail lounge in the heart of downtown, but some are questioning whether there’s already enough liquor flowing.
Jeremiah Joaquim, owner of CJ Vapes & Lounge, filed an application with the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority for its support in opening up The Velvet Swan, a refined cocktail lounge, at 125 S. Kentucky Ave. The 2,200-square-foot space was previously occupied by Dissent Brewing.
“We’re focusing more on high-end cocktails curated toward a wide variety of professional clientele. A more upscale environment for creatives to come together and communalize together, socialized for business, professional or what have you,” he said to LDDA board members on June 26.
Joaquim said the drinks will be toward the higher-end pricing, to avoid drawing a potential troublesome crowd…