Trolley Kat roaming new territory

The creation of artist Ferdie Pacheco now has its name on his gallery and a place in two books.

By MICHAEL CANNING
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 21, 2003

YBOR'S HOTTEST KAT: Centro Ybor's Pacheco Gallery reconfigured last week to Pacheco Gallery and Trolley Kat House. The small showroom's new mascot is a comic character creation of Ferdie Pacheco, Ybor native, author, painter, and former physician to Muhammad Ali.

The Trolley Kat is based on a former muse of Pacheco's, Princess, a black and white cat that he and his wife, Luisita, adopted from their daughter. Princess died in the jaws of two roaming dogs outside the Pacheco's Miami home last Christmas Eve.

But not before Pacheco was inspired to create 150 Trolley Kat paintings, and not before he created two children's books. Trolley Kat, The ABC Alphabet is targeted for kindergarteners to fourth-graders. Trolley Kat, The Travels cleverly uses the character to promote Tampa history, the new TECO Line Streetcar System and the immigrant experience in early 20th century America.

From a painting displayed in the gallery, the Trolley Kat stares out on the Centro courtyard, smartly dressed in a streetcar conductor's jacket and hat, a cigar wedged into his paw. Behind him are other Trolley Kat items for sale: dolls, T-shirts, computer mouse pads, prints, plus the books.

The Trolley Kat franchise may not end there. "I've got somebody at Disney looking at it as an animated cartoon," Pacheco said.

With the success of the gallery and Ferdie Pacheco's book plans bringing the Pachecos to Tampa, they now keep an apartment in Palma Ceia West, near Plant High School.

Pacheco, who has already published 15 books, is planning, among other things, a comprehensive history of Tampa with local historian Gary Mormino. He also says that he's negotiating to paint a 10-story high mural of the Trolley Kat on a downtown bank building.

DIVE SHOP DOWN: After 28 years in business, Dan Harvey is closing his Adventures Underwater dive shop April 10.

Harvey says he's now focusing on a new business venture, a dive boat operation in West Palm Beach. He will continue to live in Tampa.

Before moving to 3418 W Swann Ave., the shop was at 415 S Dale Mabry for 25 years. Harvey is holding a closeout sale until the April 10 closing.

DAVIS ISLANDS TOWNHOMES COMING: The idea is to evoke the Moorish and Venetian style that Davis Islands developer David Davis envisioned in the early 1920s.

That's according to John Lum, co-owner of LIST Realty, which is developing the Villa Del Mare townhouse project. The 13-unit development will occupy the northwest corner of Davis Boulevard and Bosphorous Avenue.

Objections from residents last year forced the plans to be scaled back from 27 units. But the amenities of each townhome haven't been scaled back. Ranging from 2,100 to 3,300 square feet, the units will feature two-car garages, three stories and elevators that lead to a rooftop observation deck.

Lum said construction should start within a couple of months, and should take 10 to 11 months to complete. He added that four units from the $4.8-million project have already sold.

NEW MALL RESTAURANTS: Champps restaurant will open on International Plaza's Bay Street sometime in May. The Colorado-based chain offers a full menu of Mexican, Chinese and American comfort foods.

Channelside has signed to lease 8,900 square feet of waterfront space to Restaurant Partners Inc. The Orlando-based company has yet to name the restaurant it will build, but says it will have a steakhouse theme and should open in October.

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