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Trading Spaces
By LENNIE BENNETT ST. PETERSBURG -- A mainstay of downtown is moving uptown. Sort of. Shapiro Studio and Gallery is leaving its location in the Gallery Central business district at the end of March for a shop in BayWalk. But owners Michael and Susan Shapiro plan to continue leasing their current space for her clay studio and another art-related retail storefront. Though the distance is a short 10 blocks or so north and east, the Shapiros are hoping for a large return on the change. "We're going from 700 square feet to 1,900," Shapiro said. "The rent is a big jump. But with what we can do in sales, it's not that much. We also wanted a place where we could be open more evenings for our customers." They will be taking over the space vacated by People's Pottery, which closed when its parent company filed for federal bankruptcy protection in November 2001. The Shapiros have occupied 538 Central Ave. since April 1998. They opened it as a retail shop for Sue Shapiro's clay works and set up her studio in the back. They began adding work by other artists and fine craftsmen and now represent about 100 from throughout the United States. The success of the business meant that her studio space was continuing to shrink as they borrowed more and more of it to accommodate the displays of new merchandise. When the Shapiros heard that corporate problems would be closing People's Pottery in BayWalk, he called Craig Sher, president of Sembler Co. that developed it and handles leasing, and who is also a friend. "It's a perfect fit," said Sher. "We did tons of research. They did tons of research. It's great to have good local merchants in BayWalk along with the national businesses." The Shapiros have been leaders in the effort to boost the profile of the area along Central Avenue between Fourth and Eighth streets now officially called Gallery Central. Several years ago, they and other business owners formed a merchants association and received a city grant for sprucing up the sidewalks, introducing signage that leads people into the area and adding banners. In October, local artists painted the green benches with colorful designs. The mix of offices, retail and restaurants has helped make the once dying strip of downtown into a vibrant area. "We believe in this area," Shapiro said. "And that's why we want to continue to have Sue's studio here. And we want an arts-related business in the front, maybe another gallery. We're working on it." He said the BayWalk space, which they plan to open on March 31, will allow them to sell work by more artists and bring in larger pieces, such as the metal chair shaped like a giant butterfly that sits in the new store while painters work around it. Their inventory will continue to range in price from several dollars to several thousand dollars. BayWalk is a $40-million entertainment-retail complex that opened in November 2000 with shops, restaurants and a 20-screen Muvico theater. Sher said with the Shapiros moving in, only one space remains vacant, and he is looking at a number of possibilities for it, such as a men's clothing store, day spa or another shop with collectibles. "BayWalk is doing great," he said. "I think the Shapiros are going to do great. My wife certainly shops there a lot."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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