New retro-style wheels for the mod driver

A Vespa dealership opens across from International Plaza, selling motor scooters and cool accessories.

By MICHAEL CANNING, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 30, 2002

VESPA COMES TO TAMPA: Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. Britain's young mods in the mid '60s. The private collections of today's trend-seeking stars.

The enduring legacy of the motor scooter now sees a Vespa dealership opened across from International Plaza, at 4506 W Spruce St., with scooters and accessories to jump start a mini-mod revival.

Beginning life as a cheap mode of transport in postwar Europe, then embraced by movie stars in the '50s, mods in the '60s and numerous neo-mods in the '70s and '80s, the scooter has a knack for sticking around. Some attribute popularity to an increased profile in television and magazine advertising.

Want to look like you just stepped out of an ad? The Vespa Tampa store has everything you need, and then some: polo shirts, baby doll tees, denim skirts, gloves, sunglasses, watches, leather purses, hard shell backpacks, satchels, picnic baskets, coffee mugs, books, postcards, and of course, Quadrophenia on DVD.

Oh, yes, and scooters. Most of the stock consists of Vespa ET2 50s and ET4 150s. There also a few Piaggio Libertys, made by Vespa's parent company.

Scooters are displayed in pearl, alabaster, platinum, red, light blue, cobalt blue and light green. Old pictures of movie stars like Anthony Quinn, Anthony Perkins and Angie Dickinson straddling Vespas hang on the walls.

Prices range from $2,400 to $3,950. A full service garage is next door, where they'll work on scooters of any make.

SEE C-RAY'S SHINE: The ongoing renaissance of Ballast Point Park got a big boost last week with the opening of C-Ray's Waterfront Grille.

Gone is the dreary, bunkerlike building that once housed a small luncheonette and bait shop. It was torn down in early 1999. In its place the city has built a brighter, more airy building sporting a shiny metal roof and Caribbean blue paint job. At one end is C-Ray's, fronting the water with its partly covered patio dining area.

Inside is the kitchen and seating for 25. There, deli-style sandwiches, salads and breakfast items are prepared fresh.

Owners Chuck Riopelle and Ray Williers, of C-Ray's Catering fame, lease the building from the city. Next door, they plan to open Ballast Point Bait and Tackle in about two weeks. Riopelle said the shop will have a small convenience storelike stock, in case parkgoers realize they forgot the charcoal or sunscreen.

How's business so far?

"Wonderful," Riopelle said. "The neighborhood has been wonderful. Everyone was really anxious for something to come in here after two years."

NEW MED ON BAY TO BAY: Yet another new South Tampa commercial building sports the Mediterranean look. But at least the former Bay to Bay Restaurant, 4315 W Bay to Bay Blvd., tries a little harder than some of its contemporaries.

The $200,000 refit was designed by Soleil Design Build Inc. next door. Stephen Carroll, owner of project builder Aspen Builders of Largo, said Tech Products will occupy all 2,300 square feet of the retail space. The cabinet manufacturer and tile seller should move in at the end of September, he said.

HYDE PARK GREENERY GROWING: Like a traveling vine, Hyde Park Greenery is spreading over 1316 W Swann Ave. Already filling the back and side yard with its lush and exotic selection of plants, it will soon expand into the first floor of the address' 1922 two-story house.

The current occupant, Museum Shop antiques seller, is closing.

"We'll no longer be at the mercy of the elements," said Greenery co-owner Paul Paresi, who plans to give his indoor plants first dibs on the interior space.

Paresi plans to expand his selection of fountains, statuary and greenery, which includes exotic species such as dwarf citrus trees, jaboticaba trees, African tulip trees, mamey plants, bonsai trees and the ever popular oncidium ku quat orchid.

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