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Everybody's business

Shop caters to expectant parents

A new spot on Henderson offers high-resolution sonograms, prenatal massages and products.

By MICHAEL CANNING
Published May 6, 2005

Carson Stern can't wait.

His fiancee is almost far enough along in her pregnancy for a sonogram. It just so happens he's got a state-of-the-art GE Voluson 730 ultrasound machine ready to go at his new business, Look Who's Kickin' Ultrasound.

He opened the business a month ago at 3617-B Henderson Blvd., near Swann Avenue. He describes it "more like a learning center" for the pregnancy process. Although certified sonographers perform the sonograms and can determine the sex of the baby, they cannot give medical advice, Stern said.

About two-thirds of the 1,200-square-foot office is devoted to retail space. Stern stocks pregnancy and child care books, medical journals, child care products and Mustela mother and baby skin care products from France.

There's also a spa room where a certified prenatal masseuse gives prenatal massages and hot stone massages. It's all part of Stern's plans to make the business seem more like a spa and not a doctor's office. Couches, wood tones, track lighting and open ceilings add to the effect.

The Voluson 730 ultrasound machine provides three-dimensional images with high resolution and intricate surface detail. That means you'll see the contours of the baby's face rather than a transparent image that focuses on the fetus' internal anatomy.

An ultrasound session includes black and white and color photos of the baby, along with a video of the session burned onto a CD.

HEADING TO A MALL NEAR YOU: When International Plaza opened in 2001, it lured some tenants from WestShore Plaza, a short drive away. Now an International tenant, Strasburg Children, sees the older and smaller WestShore mall as more desirable.

The high-end children's clothing store is scheduled to open Wednesday at WestShore. Saturday is its last day at International.

"We'll be right next to Saks Fifth Avenue, so it's a good opportunity for us to get better visibility within the mall," said Strasburg president Terry Jarvis.

In other International news, Capital Grille, a national steakhouse chain, opened Monday in the old Profusion, which closed in May 2004. Ann Taylor Loft, which has a WestShore Plaza store, opened another at International on April 21.

Tommy Bahama, Banana Republic, the Walking Co. and the Cafe Japon sushi restaurant plan to open soon, said International Plaza spokeswoman Melissa Meehan. No dates have been set, she said.

NEWBIES ON DAVIS ISLANDS: Two new tenants have claimed most of the old Davis Islands Hardware store on Davis Boulevard.

"Smokey" Saha is opening Vega Del Cigar cyber cafe and cigar shop on May 13 at 243 E Davis Blvd. Saha picked up the nickname years ago when he was working in a steakhouse and his grill caught fire. Today, it's appropriate for his new profession.

The shop will stock premium cigars handmade on premises by Saha's business partner, Eugenio Pique. Pique is a master tobacco roller from Cuba who is licensed to roll Cohiba, Monte Cristo, Romeo y Julietta, Robusto and Churchill cigars, Saha said.

The shop will also have a small coffee bar that seats six and computers. Couches and chairs will have views of high-definition satellite TV.

Hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Next door, Taste of Gallery, an art gallery/gourmet deli, opened April 30 at 241 E Davis Blvd. Owned by Gladys Denegri and managed by her son Eric Molina, the 1,000-square-foot store will have a little space for noshing and a little for browsing.

The gallery will feature contemporary paintings and sculpture, Molina said. The menu will focus on light takeout fare, such as sandwiches, tapas, fruit and vegetable salads, fruit smoothies, cappuccino and espresso. There will be seating for about 10 people.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Mike Myers, listing agent for Ross Realty Group, said 1,564 square feet is still up for grabs, though an optician is considering renting it. The hardware store went out of business in December.

Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Call 226-3382, or e-mail mikecanning@hotmail.com

[Last modified May 5, 2005, 01:31:12]