A knitting shop is to open this month, a barbecue restaurant is already smoking, and new townhomes offer a lift.
By MICHAEL CANNING
Published May 7, 2004
HOLDING ONE, SELLING ANOTHER: An old Kenny Rogers song can be instructive for those who own buildings in Ybor City's entertainment district.
Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em.
Diane James, co-owner of two buildings at Seventh Avenue and 14th Street, is doing both.
She and co-owner and husband, Dean James, are negotiating to sell the building on the southwest corner, former home of Tahiti Joe's and Wave Hog nightclubs. But they'll continue to lease the building on the southeast corner, home of Pulse nightclub, formerly Epic and, for many years, Bar Tampa.
Diane James said even though they hung a for-lease sign on the former Wave Hog building, she and her husband have received several offers to buy it. One was from a "low-end furniture business," which she turned down, she said. "That's not going to help Ybor at all."
The Jameses are working toward selling the 1897 building to a nightclub owner, she said. She wouldn't say who but expects to close the deal within 30 days. "If everything goes as planned, they're going to be working all summer with renovations," she said.
Meanwhile, across the street, the Jameses continue to lease the former Epic building. The newly renamed and redecorated Pulse nightclub thumps away under the stewardship of Brandon Edwards from Boston.
The Jameses also own the old Greco hardware store at 1901 N 15th St., home of Creatures of Delight, and a building at 1315 E Fifth Ave., home of Dean James Glassworks. He's a glassmaker.
KNIT 'N KNIBBLE ON DALE MABRY: Good thing Caroline Rose Kerr clipped out a magazine article on how to open your own knitting shop. Forty years later, she's decided to go ahead and do it with a few ideas of her own.
Opening mid to late this month at 1517 S Dale Mabry Highway, Knit 'n Knibble will be a combination yarn shop, knitting school and cafe. The 1,200-square-foot store will stock nearly 4,000 different colors of yarn in a variety of materials, including cotton, silk and wool.
The store will also carry knitting needles, crochet hooks, knitting and crochet patterns, row counters, stitch holders and scissors.
Kerr will offer knitting classes, limited to six students, and plans to serve cakes, cookies, coffee and tea. The decor will convey a sense of warmth and coziness with soft yellow colors, overstuffed chairs and denim upholstered love seats.
The shop, in the former Nep-tune Records, is a few doors south of Neptune Street. Business hours will be 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday until July 1. After that, hours will expand to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
SMELL THE SMOKE ON COLUMBUS: It's a perfectly appropriate culture clash for West Tampa. A barbecue joint in the middle of the old Latin enclave. On top of the building, above where it says "Boss Hog's Roadhouse," flags wave from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Italy and Florida.
"Smell our smoke," a sign on the sidewalk says.
The 100-seat restaurant at 2511 W Columbus Drive, in the former Midulla's restaurant, doesn't smother fried plantains in barbecue sauce. But it does offer extras beyond the usual barbecue fare, including Buffalo wings, hoagies and fried chicken.
The restaurant opened March 15, just west of Armenia Avenue. It will have a full liquor bar in about two weeks, manager Devyn Cunningham said. Delivery and breakfast should be added this month. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
BEAUTIFUL LIVING: Located on the corner of Moody and Watrous avenues, the pending townhouse project will be called Watrous Place, even though it will front on Moody.
You don't expect them to call it Moody Place, do you?
The three-unit project will feature a "British colonial, West Indies style," said Watrous Place Realtor Dallas Coffield of Smith and Associates. That's a welcome relief from the overused Mediterranean style.
The two-story units will range from 2,050 to 2,190 square feet, have three bedrooms and 31/2 bathrooms, two-car garages, vaulted ceilings, granite counter tops in the kitchens and bathrooms and elevator shafts.
Without the elevators.
Coffield said having space for an elevator is a good feature for people who plan to retire in the units and have trouble with the stairs. "People can live in them the rest of their lives," he said.
The townhouses cost $415,000 to $425,000.
- Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Call 226-3382, or e-mail mikecanning@hotmail.com
Eternity plant
Show mom you'll love her forever with an eternity plant. It's durable, drought tolerant and easy to grow. And it needs little light to stay green and glossy. Find them at Hyde Park Greenery, 1316 Swann Ave., for $19.95-$39.95. Pots are sold separately. Shipping is available. Call 258-8582.
