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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 31, 2003
Here's a look at some of the new businesses setting up shop in the area:
PAINT A PITCHER: Now customers can pick, pay for then paint their own pottery at the Pottery Patch. The store at 2551 E Brandon Blvd. in Valrico is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12:30 to 5 p.m. It is available to individuals or for group parties such as birthdays or baby showers. 643-0014.
BAUBLES AND GEMS: Owners Brian and Tina Spath and Rachel Blount have opened Spath Jewelers. Spath, a graduate gemologist, and his wife travel to Belgium annually to hand pick and purchase diamonds for their store at 2523 E Brandon Blvd. in Valrico. They also do repair work and custom design jewelry. 571-5445.
HEALTHY LIVING: The Comfort Shoppe and Temenos Holistic Education Center, owned by Jana Broder, Jim Longwell, and Catherine Murphy, incorporate life skills. Opened Nov. 20, the Temenos Holistic Education Center teaches healthy living, while the Comfort Shoppe sells cards, candles and natural products that support the center's teachings. 117 W Windhorst Road, Brandon. 643-5077.
NEW DEPARTMENT STORE: Stein Mart is the latest addition to the Lithia Crossings shopping plaza at Lithia Pinecrest and Bloomingdale. The store at 3456 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Valrico, is scheduled to open March 13. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. 972-5330.
Chili's Grill is setting up next door to Stein Mart in Lithia Crossings. The restaurant chain serves hefty hamburgers, grilled chicken and ribs; it's specialties are grilled fajitas. The restaurant is set to open June 12.
ANOTHER LOCATION: Eckerd opened a store at 13324 Boyette Road at Bell Shoals Road on Jan. 14. Hours at the Riverview store are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 571-7552.
-- Know of a business that is opening, closing or moving? Contact Ruba Uri, Brandon Times, 426 W Brandon Blvd. Brandon, FL 33511. Phone: 661-2426. Fax: 661-2427. E-mail: brandon@sptimes.com.