'Challenges’ delay bookstore opening in Mizner Park

Published July 6th, 2008

By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR

It’s been seven years since the Liberties bookstore at Mizner Park closed its doors for the last time.

The prospect that the original owner of Liberties, Vald Svekis, plans to open a new bookstore and more in the new Mizner Park Cultural Arts Building – the former International Museum of Cartoon Art – has caused a stir among residents who frequented the literary shop.

But the opening of the bookstore – originally slated for the last quarter of this year – has been put off until the first quarter of 2009, said Beth Hendrick, associate marketing manager for Mizner Park.

She said she had spoke to Svekis, who said only that he is facing “challenges” in his new venue.  The bookstore owner did not return messages left by the Boca Raton News.

During a recent tour of the building for the City Council and media, visitors saw the layout of the 25,000 square foot, two-level bookstore in the former museum. It will include balconies, a café and two 47-seat theaters to the rear of the second floor.

She noted that the bookstore area of the redeveloped building has been turned over to Svekis.

The tour also took the group to the site of a proposed Brazilian restaurant called ZED 451.  Hendrick said that as far as she knows, the eating spot is on track to open in the final quarter of this year.

An entry on the Internet describes ZED 451 as “a contemporary, internationally-inspired, upscale steakhouse. Chefs deliver most of the items directly to your table while you help yourself to the rest.”

General Growth Properties, the management company for Mizner Park, and ING Clarion, have partnered to turn the former Cartoon Museum into a cultural arts center, with the bookstore and restaurant, among other things. Hendrick said an additional 5,000 square foot space is still available for a small restaurant, but there have been no takers, she said.

The facility will also house a “black box theater,” and it will be the location for Boca Raton TV.