Tampa Bay Orthopaedic is expanding

ST. PETERSBURG -- Construction began last week on a new building for Tampa Bay Orthopaedic that will have doctors' offices and a surgery center.

The practice has outgrown its space at 4000 Park St. N, according to Robin Perlman, marketing director for Tampa Bay Orthopaedic.

The new building, at 6500 66th St. N, will have 30,000 square feet and offer an MRI facility and full physical therapy as well as offices and a surgery center. Research also will be done there, Perlman said.

The practice has two other locations, one on Pasadena Avenue and a third on West Bay Drive in Largo. It was founded at Park Street in 1968. State Sen. Don Sullivan, R-Seminole, joined in 1972, but soon left the practice when he was elected to the Senate.

The six doctors now in the practice are Dermot J. O'Connor, Steven B. Warren, Howard W. Sharf, Michael D. Slomka, Philip A. Davidson and Vladimir Alexander. Perlman said two more doctors will be hired this summer.

The new center is expected to open at the beginning of 2003. An exact figure on the cost of the project was not available, Perlman said.

Cuban cafe planned for downtown

ST. PETERSBURG -- Rob Haddad and his brother Greg are opening a Cuban cafe in the space formerly occupied by Buon Giorno at 269 Central Ave.

Greg Haddad owns Central Cigars, which is beside the cafe space, and is now in its sixth year.

Rob Haddad said he thought downtown had room for a Cuban restaurant. When the owners of Buon Giorno's decided to move, he had a good opportunity to start one. It will be called Raul's after Raul Milian, a longtime family friend who will help in the business.

Both locations open to a rear courtyard, where Rob Haddad said there will be tables and eventually an opening cut from the restaurant to the cigar store.

Rob Haddad said he plans to have the cafe open June 3. It will serve breakfast and lunch during the week and dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.

Don CeSar getting TV exposure

ST. PETE BEACH -- The Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa will be featured on the Travel Channel's Great Hotels.

Last month, Pineridge Production Co. of Jacksonville, spent four days at the pink landmark hotel, shooting scenes inside and out.

"They spent a lot of time in the penthouse, inside the Maritana Grille (the Don's four-star restaurant), poolside, as well as on the Gulf of Mexico," said Stephanie Klymko, sales assistant in the sales and catering department.

The Don CeSar, built by Thomas Rowe and designed by Henry DuPont, originally opened in 1928. The resort served as a military hospital during World War II.

The program is scheduled to air in the fall.

-- SHARON L. BOND and PIPER JONES CASTILLO

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright