you may want to read through this post, there is some of the same questions and a few answers and thoughts. http://bluffparkal.org/bpforum/YaBB.pl?num=1257518856
 
I for one would love something a little more upscale as far as restaurants go or a coffee shop. There are some city code issues. That is why the complex where Mr. P's is is not Hoover city, it is Birmingham city.
 
My suggestion is to always voice your opinion to the complex owners with ideas for stores to fill empty spaces. Mr. Harden who owns Bluff Park Village (where dollar general and armorsafe storage are located) was really looking for suggestion when the pizza place closed. His email is in a thread http://bluffparkal.org/bpforum/YaBB.pl?num=1254444000 and Mr. Lemak owns the side of Shades Mtn Plaza where Wings Plus and Ashley Mac's are located. He reads this forum and is a member. Bluffparkal.org also has his email address and can pass on sugestions.  

I do not see something like this succeeding.  I'm not saying I wouldn't support it, I just don't see how you can ask for something upscale like that to come into an area where you still have people that don't want to upkeep their yards, or do anything for curb appeal.  Right up the road from this shopping center you have houses that look like the paint is peeling from their siding in all those cookie cutter homes.  Then you get into the older homes and you have people that won't cut their grass, have cars in their front yards, bushes growing over their windows.  This doesn't look upscale.  Maybe once people begin to have pride in the area again this might be an option, but until then I don't see it happening.

Jenn...I couldn't agree more with your post (obviously, if you read the moonlight thread). I would absolutely love for a cafe/pub type of establishment to come in our area. To be honest, I think people like ourselves probably outweight the naysayers. Unfortunately, it seems that just a few naysayers are enough to stifle any attempt by a business owner to take a chance in bluff park...Which is highly disappointing.
 
You touched on one subject that I neglected to delve into after reading Mr. Harrelson's response on the moonlight thread. My fear for his business is that he isn't considering what you appropriately labled "the whole package." I gather from his posts (very thoughtfully written as they were) that he is quite passionate about music and establishing a venue to showcase emerging artists. And for that, I applaud him. However, it leaves me to ponder the question: is that enough? In my mind, no.....no it isn't. But Mr. Harrelson did not ask for my opinion, and I am sure that there are others who think similarly as he does. I wish him the best in this endeavor, and I will do my best to support it. But speaking for myself, it would be much easier to support if he was able to offer beverages.....and possibly a limited pub-like menu if at all possible.  
 
He certainly has more experience in the matter than I....But I know what I want...and I know what you want....and I know what MANY other friends of mine in the area want.....And at the end of the day, I think that should count for something. After all, the next like-minded business entrepenuer to establish such a venue would be the first. And if you're the only alcohol-serving pub/bistro/cafe-type business in the area, I would imagine you would get our patronage.
 
Anyway, I hope the right person reads our thoughts on the matter.