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SouthTown block begins to bustle as shops open

The strip on Neptune Avenue might also see the building of a bank and expansion of the Publix.

By JANET ZINK
Published February 18, 2005

Moe's Southwest Grill had been open only five days, but Christine Farrior already had been there five times.

"My kids love it," Farrior said Monday while sipping a soda at the restaurant.

Moe's is the latest business to open in the new $10-million SouthTown Center on Neptune Avenue between Dale Mabry Highway and Church Street.

It's a block slated for several changes.

In addition to the businesses coming to the four-building SouthTown project, developers want to expand the Publix across the street and add a 4,500-square-foot Bank of America branch with a drive-through on the northeast corner of the grocery's parking lot.

Plans show a 1,200-square-foot expansion of Publix for a liquor store and a 5,400-square-foot, 165-seat Crisper's restaurant north of the supermarket near Watrous Avenue.

The City Council is scheduled to consider a request April 14 to rezone the site to allow the construction of the bank. The hearing was originally scheduled for Feb. 10 but was postponed because of transportation issues.

If the new bank branch opens, the existing Bank of America branch on the southwest corner of Neptune and Church will close later this year, said bank spokesman George Owen.

Frank Loscalzo, who owns the building that houses the Bank of America, said he's not sure whether he'll expand his own mortgage company into the space or rent it to someone else.

Meanwhile, businesses are opening in SouthTown.

Already open are a Regis Trade Secret beauty supply store, a Regis Hair Masters salon and Massage Envy.

Massage Envy offers sports, Swedish, deep tissue, reflexology and pregnancy massages by appointment or as walk-ins. It's open until 10 p.m. Monday through Fridays and until 6 p.m. on weekends. Monthly $49 memberships include one massage per month and additional one-hour massages for $29.95.

Mama Fu's Asian House and 1-800-Flowers will open in the coming weeks. Cold Stone Creamery should be scooping ice cream within 30 days, and Mercantile Bank is slated for an April opening, said David Martin of Capstone, the plaza's owner.

He's negotiating with a wine store, coffee shop, a dry cleaner and boutiques for the 15,000 square feet still available, he said.

Janet Zink can be reached at 226-3401 or jzink@sptimes.com

[Last modified February 17, 2005, 10:49:04]