New shop combines art for sale, tea room

ST. PETERSBURG -- Susan Perry, a former merchandiser for stores in New York and Manhattan, and Bonny Ludwig, a freelance artist and instructor, have opened Bliss at 405 Central Ave., Suite 102, St. Petersburg. The combination gift shop and tea room inside the Snell Arcade grew out of the two friends' shared interest in art. "From the very beginning, we were very much together, visually, on how certain things should be displayed," Perry said.

The art for sale includes hanging stained glass and papier mache fairies, whimsical paintings and posters and shelves of glass jewelry, note cards and pillows. Inside the back tea room, customers are offered a cup of East India Co. Tea of Hong Kong, a brand Ludwig has been drinking since she was a young girl in Asia. The tea room also houses Perry's family tea sets and a 1969 black and white photo of Perry dressed in a vintage suit and hat, pouring from an old pot. "Along with art, we both share a love for tea," Ludwig said.

Bliss is open Monday through Saturday.

Sheryl Kennedy has been named supervisor of assurance services for Gregory, Sharer & Stuart, St. Petersburg. Before the promotion, Kennedy served as audit senior. Jonathon Brignall has been named supervisor of tax and accounting. Brignall served as tax senior.

Marcus Greene has been named senior vice president of wealth management services for William R. Hough & Co., St. Petersburg. Greene was senior vice president, affluent market manager for Wachovia Bank, St. Petersburg.

The Job Fair for Mature Workers, for individuals 40 and older, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon May 4 at the Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N, St. Petersburg. The keynote speaker is Charles Milsted, AARP associate state director. More than 25 companies will participate. The event is being co-sponsored by the AARP Foundations' Senior Community Service Employment Program and the city of St. Petersburg Office on Aging. For information, call the Office on Aging, 893-7102.

-- Please send your business news items to Piper Jones Castillo, Neighborhood Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. E-mail: piper@sptimes.com. Phone number: 893-8827.

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