 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Boutique coming to Safety Harbor
By LEON M. TUCKER, Times Staff Writer SAFETY HARBOR -- From boarding house to business complex to nail salon and trendy cafe, the old building at 509 Main Street has been through some changes. Now it's time for one more. A clothing store focusing on women, 509 Galleria, will open at the site Jan. 23. The store is the brainchild of Safety Harbor resident Barbara Wall, who decided about six months ago that downtown needed a new shopping experience. "It's just time for a new energy downtown because everybody likes something new," Wall said. "We're looking forward to the opportunity to work with the other shops there and to create a really wonderful experience for shoppers." The store will include about 20 different lines of ladies' apparel, children's clothing, sportswear, home decorations, gifts, shoes and jewelry. The 88-year-old structure most recently was known as Cafe Cheetah. Although it is not clear why the business closed about two years ago, the gold building with black trim has been the subject of curiosity since then. For the past month, a small crew has been working on the 5,000-square-foot building's 23-room structure, painting walls and decorating in preparation for the shop's opening. "We really love the building for what it has to offer," Wall said. "You just meander through the different areas, and it is just endless." Adding to its intimate boutique feel, 509 Galleria also will have an outdoor cafe serving complimentary coffee and tea to shoppers. Store hours are expected to be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday. "We felt the concept was very much in keeping with the town's heartbeat," said Wall. "Some people are, perhaps, tired of the malls and want a different shopping experience; and we want to provide that for them."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times North Pinellas desks |
