Masonic lodge gets a makeover
A "boutique luxury office" will replace the lodge, which was experiencing declining membership.
By MICHAEL CANNING
Published December 12, 2003
LONGTIME LODGE GOING OFFICE: A faded Palma Ceia landmark will soon disappear. Sort of. It won't fall victim to the wrecking ball but, rather, to the ever popular South Tampa Med Makeover.
Renovations have begun at the former Palma Ceia Masonic Lodge No. 290, the white art deco building on the northwest corner of San Carlos Street and MacDill Avenue. The 1942 building will be transformed into a Mediterranean-style office building offering 7,000 square feet of office space.
Don Niederpruem, broker with project developer Donald Roberts Inc., says the "boutique luxury office" will feature a combination two-story lobby and covered porte cochere. The building will go up for sale when construction is completed in about nine months. It will cost $200 to $250 a square foot, he said.
The Palma Ceia Lodge, which has been experiencing declining membership, sold the building to Donald Roberts Inc. at the end of October. They had occupied the building since 1957 and are meeting at another lodge. Before that, the building served as a movie theater.
SOHO RUBDOWN: At the epicenter of the happening SoHo district, an art gallery has been replaced by a massage parlor. We'll leave it to you to draw broader conclusions.
At the very least, it's easy to see why Massage Shoppe owner Scott Kilbourne coveted the location at 937 S Howard Ave. - on the northwest corner of Howard and Morrison avenues. It's wedged between affluent neighborhoods, surrounded by trendy restaurants and across the street from the popular Xtreme Total Fitness gym.
You'll recall Hyde Park Fine Arts recently occupied the space. The Massage Shoppe retains much of the former gallery's airy, contemplative interior vibe. Dark grays and burgundies and soft New Age music help set the tone.
Aside from the soothing atmosphere, the Massage Shoppe isn't big on frills. No product lines, no procedures involving produce or dirt. Just massages. Seven rooms, 10 contracted therapists, walk-ins welcome.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
NEW DINER IN THE VILLAGE: After a two-year run in the old Selena's space, Mia's restaurant closed at the end of October. Now the crescent moon festooned sign of the Hyde Park Diner overlooks Old Hyde Park Village's southern approach.
The new business owners - Naples restaurateurs Jim and Betty Hall - have made most of the changes on the menu. Fans of the defunct New City Diner on Himes Avenue will recognize the haute diner cuisine approach. For lunch, the meatloaf sandwich is updated with carmelized onions, melted cheddar and Texas toast. The BLT gets injected with a salmon fillet, and the macaroni and cheese is baked with four cheeses, broccoli and orecchiette pasta.
Dinner items, including stuffed pork loin, chicken pot pie, pan seared tuna and prime rib, range from $12 to $20. Lunches are priced from $6 to $10.
The diner's look is largely unchanged from the Mia's days, including the invigorating blue tile mosaic work on the columns and preponderance of cobalt and chartreuse colors.
Hours are 11 a.m to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
FROM SANDWICHES TO BAUBLES: What was once home to the lamentably late Focaccia Mia and the short-lived Freid's Famous Deli is now Baubles etc. But the distinctive black iron lamppost still stands out front.
Business owner and jewelry maker Linda Bridwell opened the shop in mid October. She sells her earrings, necklaces and bracelets, plus an eclectic mix of antique furniture, art and gifts.
Also displayed in the little shop is the Lampeberger line of designer oil lamps from France, hand-painted Russian nesting dolls and the Muse Girls line of locally made dolls. Bridwell also stocks a selection and impressionistic oils by Ozona artist Robert Boykin.
Bridwell, whose jewelry is also displayed at Anna Perrott Jewelers on West Shore Boulevard, hopes to sublet the 2,050-square-foot building behind Baubles etc. She envisions an art gallery on or antique shop.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
- Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Call 226-3382, or e-mail mikecanning@hotmail.com
Feathered Christmas trees
Fluffy tabletop Christmas trees make the holiday scene soft as the first snowfall. Choose a trio of ivory or green, $110 at Rosemary Cottage, 4006 S MacDill Ave., or buy just one. The shop also serves English tea with pastries three times a day. Call 805-6601 for hours.
- AMY SCHERZER
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