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Open & Shut
By BILL COATS and EVE LEBERSON New owners close auto parts storeLUTZAuto parts store closes -- A Discount Auto Parts store has closed after five years in business. The store was one of 22 closed in Florida in late April by Advance Auto Parts, the new owners of the Discount Auto Parts chain, said Sheila Stuewe, director of investor relations with Advance Auto Parts. That left 437 stores open in the state, she said. The Lutz store raised eyebrows when it opened in early 1997 because another Discount Auto Parts Store was under construction at State Road 54 and Collier Parkway in Land O'Lakes. The chain also had a store on N Dale Mabry Highway. Lakeland-based Discount Auto Parts was rapidly expanding, and the manager of the Lutz store said nearby stores could help each other with hard-to-find parts. Then last November, Discount was acquired by Advance Auto Parts, based in Roanoke, Va. Ms. Stuewe said she didn't know whether the Lutz store was profitable. "All of the stores have to be profitable," Ms. Stuewe said. "We believe that out of the other two stores we can effectively service the community." * * * Supermarket opens -- The Publix supermarket in the Lutz Lake Crossing shopping plaza on N Dale Mabry Highway at Lutz-Lake Fern Road opened its doors to shoppers on Thursday. Store hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For information, call 949-3882. NEW TAMPABaby boutique arrives -- Cutie Patootie baby boutique has opened in the Highwoods Preserve shopping center. The store specializes in gifts for all occasions including newborn arrivals, christenings and birthdays. "We have hand painted furniture and designer crib bedding," said store owner Marla Adams. Gift wrapping, a baby gift registry, custom embroidery and jewelry also are available at the store located at 18087 Highwoods Preserve Parkway, off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. For information, call 558-9633. -- Please send news about business openings, closings and relocations to Jordan Dye, 14358 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL, 33618, fax: 269-5310.
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From the Times |
