 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Pier shops expand to the beachBy Times staff writer© St. Petersburg Times published June 19, 2002 MADEIRA BEACH -- Two businesses at the Pier in downtown St. Petersburg have expanded to Hubbard's Marina at John's Pass Village and Boardwalk. Carol Gray, owner of the Crystal Mirage, a Pier shop for 15 years, has opened Glass at the Pass Gallery at 186 John's Pass Boardwalk. In addition to contemporary art glass and crystal, Gray said Glass at the Pass will have some home furnishings. "Things made by artists," she said. Gray said she wanted to expand and liked the John's Pass area. "When the Hubbards were building the new building, it was the perfect opportunity." Open at 184 John's Pass Boardwalk is the Hide Out, a leather store featuring eelskin, sharkskin and crocodile. Owners Fred and Merle Snook began their leather accessories shop in 1986 from the trunk of their car, selling eelskin. They opened a shop at the Pier 14 years ago. Fred Snook said he was looking for a location for a second store and, like Gray, was intrigued by what the Hubbards planned with the new building. "We have been wanting to be there," Snook said of John's Pass. "What better locations can you have if you have the Pier and John's Pass?" Pharmacy coming to BayWalkST. PETERSBURG -- BayWalk Pharmacy is opening next to Lynn's Hallmark in the retail shops under the Mid-Core Garage at BayWalk. Owner Lydia Collins and pharmacist Sam Wahba are planning a September opening. The two opened Clover Pharmacy in Palm Harbor in 1998, Wahba said. He is frequently in St. Petersburg, he said, and noticed the new residential development. "It looks like in the near future, there will be a need for these kinds of services," Wahba said. In the past few years, St. Petersburg has had three high-rise, luxury condominiums come on line and a 277-unit of luxury apartments is nearing completion, all increasing the downtown residential population. More apartments are planned. The increase in residents is part of the reason a Publix grocery store finally agreed to locate downtown. It will be built next year. In addition to regular pharmacy items, BayWalk Pharmacy will carry medical equipment and supplies, wheelchairs and walkers, and maybe even items for babies, such as carriages and strollers. "We will have a delivery service," Wahba said. "We're going to offer as much convenience as possible to residents there."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times South Pinellas desks Letters |
