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MARTY CLEARThe Kinko's store in downtown Tampa is poised to open Dec. 1, offering a broad range of printing services.
KINKO'S COMING DOWNTOWN: Want to spruce up the resume or make copies of a flier? Can't do it at the office?
Next month, you can head to a new Kinko's at 402 N Tampa St., on the corner of Kennedy Boulevard.
Store manager Matt Walker arrived in town about six weeks ago and can't wait to fire up the machines.
"It seems like there's a lot of real positive energy about our opening," he said. "It's really an excellent location."
The downtown Tampa Park Tower Kinko's is set to open Dec. 1. It will have all of the Kinko's features but won't be open around the clock, Walker said. The hours, at least at first, will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
THINK PINK: Everything's rosy at Pink, a new nail boutique on Davis Islands.
Owner Nicole Lambert reports that business is stepping up. A lot stems from loyal clients who frequented her other shops for manicures and pedicures. She's also seeing a lot of new faces (and hands and feet).
"It's going very, very well," she said. "I already had a clientele base, but I'm getting a lot of walk-in business as well."
Besides tending to toes and filing fingernails, Lambert also runs a small shop at Pink. She carries a few lines of handbags, including trendy Jelly Kellys, but she hopes to expand her stock.
The store's name is a tribute to Lambert's favorite color.
"I've just always been known as a pinkaholic to my friends," she said.
Pink is located at 39 Davis Blvd.
LOVE SELLING LINGERIE: Krysten Love says there are a lot of similarities between her old career and her new one.
She used to be a social worker. Now she sells lingerie.
"I'm finding that they're quite similar," she said. "It's all about helping people."
Love recently opened La Belle Femme at 1620 Snow Circle in Old Hyde Park Village in the former Maggie Moos ice cream store. Her shop, she says, features "intimate apparel for every facet of a woman's life."
There's the sexy, frilly stuff but also the basic everyday wear, sports bras and maternity bras. For the holidays, La Belle Femme will stock men's and boys' pajamas and bathrobes, including matching father-and-son sets.
The store opened Oct. 4, but Love will host an official grand opening party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. She'll have food, door prizes and a special appearance from Jeanna Lampart, Mrs. Tampa from the Mrs. United States contest, who will model some of the stores' wares.
THE LAST MEETING: It wasn't exactly business as usual at the Old Meeting House on Sunday, the last evening in the life of the venerable SoHo restaurant and ice cream emporium. The mood was predictably somber. It was busy but not packed, and employees had their hands full preventing sentimental regulars from helping themselves to souvenirs.
"They're taking anything that's not bolted down," said general manager Cathy Malone.
In some cases, even stuff that was. Employees had to chase off some guys with a crowbar who tried to steal the familiar Old Meeting House Parking sign.
The building, which has housed the ice cream shop and restaurant since 1947, is available for sale or rent. For the time being, it will be home to Jimmy's Ice Cream, a wholesaler that sells Old Meeting House's famous ice cream to stores and restaurants.
Owner Matthew Hoffman donated all of the leftover food to Metropolitan Ministries.
Artist puppetsAct out the stories of famous artists with these finger puppets of Claude Monet, Frida Kahlo, Vincent van Gogh and Salvador Dali. Created by the Unemployed Philosophers Guild, the Finger Puppet Theater costs $20. Find it and other artsy toys at My Little Masterpiece, 3225 S MacDill Ave. Call 839-8737.
- AMY SCHERZER