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3 shops to open on 100 block of Beach
By SHARON L. BOND, Neighborhood Times Business Editor ST. PETERSBURG -- The 100 block of Beach Drive is getting three new shops, two of which are filling the space left vacant when the popular Straw Goat closed last year. Cherie's Eklektika, a gift boutique at 138 Beach Drive NE, opens Tuesday. It is owned by Cherie and Britt Doughtie. The space used to be occupied by Tennis Racket. The shop will have housewares and gift items, loose teas and French laundry detergents, according to Cherie Doughtie. "We bought a lot of Chinese and Asian antiques to display things in," she said, adding that the antiques are not for sale. "We put in hardwood floors. I'll have a big samovar in the middle of the store where people can taste the teas." Doughtie said she always had worked for someone else and had always wanted a place of her own. Her experience includes managing restaurants for the Tradewinds resorts and the golf club at the Belleview Biltmore. Lucas Da Franco, who came to St. Petersburg from Argentina three months ago, is opening Piacere, an ice cream, dessert, coffee and sandwich shop at 130 Beach Drive NE. Piacere means pleasure in Italian, Da Franco said. "The ice cream will be homemade," said Da Franco. "We will have homemade Italian desserts and special cakes." His space was the main part of the Straw Goat, which specialized in Scandinavian housewares and gift items and unique kitchen equipment. The owners decided last year to close after more than 30 years in business. Da Franco said he will have 10 to 12 tables inside Piacere as well as seating outside. He hopes to have the shop open in 15 to 20 days. American Chic Beach Drive Collection is filling the rest of the Straw Goat space at 134 Beach Drive NE. Owner Anne Panos and said the shop will feature fashions and luxury accessories for women as well as estate jewelry. Panos said she decided to open the shop because she was not able to find the things she liked in St. Petersburg and got discouraged having to go to New York for buying trips. "We'll also offer personal shopping services," Panos said. The shop is scheduled to open Feb. 12.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
