Katee Robey is opening an Ellianos Coffee Company in Live Oak.

LIVE OAK, Fla. — Katee Robey, of Robey Investments, was approved for a business start-up grant to bring Ellianos Coffee Company to Live Oak.

At its March 26 meeting, the Community Redevelopment Agency board approved a $20,000 grant for the coffee shop.

“We are thrilled that the Robey’s have acquired a franchise and are looking to expand in the City of Live Oak,” CRA Executive Director Gabrielle Redfern said.

The building will be located in the Save-A-Lot parking lot with double-sided drive through windows. The building will be roughly 665 square feet.

According to Redfern, the Save-A-Lot parking lot is not conforming to the current landscape standards for the city and due to Ellianos locating there, the entire Live Oak Center parking lot must be brought up to current code.

Redfern said due to the enormity of the task, the owners of Live Oak Center would be given three years to complete it as long as Phase 1 includes the parking lot around Ellianos.

Robey said she is still in negotiations with the Live Oak Center owners on what portion she will be responsible for.

The start-up grant would assist with the beautification of the parking lot along with water and sewer hookup costs.

Robey said a second location on Marymac Street has been proposed if negotiations fail with Live Oak Center.

“Either way it is coming, it just depends on whether they will bring their parking lot up to code,” Robey said.

The board also approved a start-up grant for CC Suites for $10,000 for plumbing and electrical renovations.

CC Suites is located at 300 Pinewood Drive SE and will include five individual beauty salon suites.

Owners Connie and Stanley Coley were also approved for a facade grant of $3,486.73 to give the building a facelift, replace damaged wood framing on the roof line, insulating the interior, rehabilitating the parking lot and more.

Chamber lease discussed

Board member Don Allen asked if the lease with the Chamber of Commerce for the old city hall will be renewed.

He said he has heard from Chamber members who feel like the lease will not be renewed.

“Is there any idea whether we will negotiate with them?” Allen asked.

According to City Manager Ron Williams, the lease ends January 2021 and he expects to keep the Chamber there.

“I believe the Chamber is a good fit for the building,” Chairman David Burch said.

Barry Long, Chamber President, asked if there are plans for the building that the Chamber has not been made aware of, adding Redfern has been ordering new doors and taking measurements of the building.

He asked if the master plan for Heritage Square addressed the plans for the Chamber.

Board member Cindy Robinson said the master plan did not change anything with the occupancy of the building.

“The Chamber is an asset to the area” Robinson said.