A pair of enterprises offering sweet treats to eat is joined by a new hair salon promising the latest looks for all.
By MARTY CLEAR and AMY SCHERZER
Published November 28, 2003
BUSINESS IS SWEET: Lisa and Jim Schalk never intended to go into the toffee business. In fact, they resisted the idea for many years.
"We started making toffee in 1989," Lisa Schalk said. "Everybody said it was the best thing they ever tasted and we should sell it. We always said we didn't want to do that."
But family and friends kept asking for their toffee and, before they knew it, the Virginia Park couple had a home business. Among their customers: local companies that wanted toffee as gifts for employees and clients.
Now they have a business called Toffee To Go and a Web site (www.toffeetogo.com) They don't have a storefront and don't want one, but they'll ship anywhere and even deliver locally. They make the toffee at the Tahitian Inn on Dale Mabry Highway, where Jim Schalk works as a manager.
Toffee is basically butter and sugar, Lisa Schalk said. Her toffee is special, she says, because she uses the best and freshest ingredients. Finely controlled cooking temperatures make sure the candy has the perfect texture. It's not tooth-breakingly hard, like some store-brought brands.
Toffee To Go sells for $12 a half-pound and comes in ribboned gift boxes. To order, visit the Web site or call 831-6247.
HAIR TODAY: Anne-Marie Dionne was a successful hair stylist in Rhode Island before she moved to Florida. She planned to retire, but when she heard that a South Tampa hair salon was about to go out of business, she couldn't resist.
She worked at the soon-to-be-closing Frank Mannino Hair Design at 3647 Manhattan Ave. for a few weeks, then bought it. Last month, she reopened it with a new name: Jacob Andrews Hair Studio. She named it after her late son.
Even though many competitors offer manicures, aromatherapy and other services, Dionne plans to focus on hair - at least for now.
"I didn't want to have a spa," she said. "Enough other people are doing that."
She offers basic cuts for women, men and kids. When a customer wants a new look, Dionne said, she's up to the challenge.
"I go to a lot of shows and keep up with the newest styles," she said.
CHIPPING IN: If you like Nestle Toll House Cookies, you ought to love the newest store at WestShore Plaza.
"We have a lot of unique styles of cookies," said Jim Michael, manager of Nestle Toll House Cafe by Chip. "They're Nestle products, but they're much higher quality than what you get in stores."
The store opened Nov. 19 across from Banana Republic. Top sellers: chocolate chip cookies and brownie buttons - frosted brownies with a chocolate chip in the middle.
The cafe marks the first in the Tampa Bay area. The 3-year-old chain from Dallas has about 40 franchises around the country.
Beside baked sweets, the cafe sells smoothies and a variety of coffee drinks.
Mosaic watering can
Here's one watering can you don't want to keep in the shed. A local artist made it from bits and shards of vintage china and early pottery. It's available for $275 at Wisteria, which carries home accessories and antiques, at 2718 S MacDill Ave. Call 835-8630.
