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Everybody's business

Shop stocks 'cool stuff for cool cats'

Daddy Zero gift shop in Old Seminole Heights provides items for subcultures ranging from goths to rockabilly kids.

By MICHAEL CANNING
Published May 27, 2005

Holly Arboleda thinks a lot of cool people live in Old Seminole Heights.

So she and business partner Joseph Murphy opened Daddy Zero gift shop at 6605 N Florida Ave., a few blocks south of Sligh Avenue.

The 1,200-square-foot store caters to a cross section of underground subcultures, from punks, goths, rockabilly kids and other alternative cogs. Items include vintage and new clothing, posters, jewelry, incense, hair color and novelty toys.

A sign advertises "cool stuff for cool cats."

Customers also can buy items from the store's Web site, www.daddyzero.com The in-store music playlist also is posted on the site because, hey, it matters. Everything from Cocteau Twins to Alien Sex Fiend to Screamin' Jay Hawkins is listed. The Hillbilly Moon Explosion plays on the site's home page.

Arboleda, a rockabilly kid at heart, also tends bar at Club Underground downtown. Murphy is the erstwhile publisher of the underground rag Too Square.

Daddy Zero opened April 16 in the former Now and Again antique shop location, after Now and Again moved to 4707 N Florida Ave. a year ago. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

SWEETS FROM SUGAR RAE'S: One might think owners Wayne and Aleida Richards named the new Sugar Rae's Sweet Shop after Mark McGrath's hit band.

But they actually named it after their daughters, Mindy Rae and Amanda Rae.

The 900-square-foot parlor opened May 1 at 1155 S Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 22. It strives to be a one-stop shop for those with serious sugar and caffeine cravings.

The menu features smoothies, Mayfield ice cream, candy and coffee. The smoothies come in fruit, ice cream and coffee flavors. Candy choices include truffles, fudges, macadamia white chocolate, pecan clusters, candy cigarettes and chocolate covered items such as pretzels, graham crackers and almonds. The store even sells the classic wax lips.

Sugar Rae's also has six kinds of coffee, all of which can be jacked up with flavored syrups. The syrups also can be used to concoct Italian sodas.

In a nod to the nearby Weight Watchers office, Sugar Rae's also offers low-fat lattes and sugar-free candies, Wayne Richards said.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cravers be advised, the shop can be tricky to spot. It actually faces Henderson Boulevard across from Head's Flags.

CURTAIN CALL ON HENDERSON: The first bay area outpost of Curtain Exchange opened May 16 at 3907 Henderson Blvd., Suite 100, on the ground floor of the new Florida Law Group building.

Franchisee Kari Dickerson says her 2,300-square-foot showroom is filled with ready-to-hang designer curtains in fabrics such as linen, cotton and silk taffeta. The curtains are made expressly for the New Orleans chain.

Dickerson also offers decorative curtain hardware such as rods, brackets and finials. Plans call for adding a full line of bedding.

Curtain Exchange has 20 stores across the country, including ones in Naples and Stuart. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, or by appointment.

DOGGIE (HAIR)DOS: Opened in 1999, Bayshore Grooming and Pet Resort, 4804 S Manhattan Ave., is adding a grooming and water play area.

"There's nothing really like this in South Tampa," owner Robin Hirsch said. "I've got people that come over from St. Pete because we're right next to the Gandy bridge."

The resort's services include boarding, day care, water play, birthday parties and "barkmitzvahs," and grooming for all breeds. Owners are planning an end-of-construction event June 23.

Times staff writer Jonathan Milton contributed to this report. Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Call 226-3394, or e-mail mikecanning@hotmail.com

[Last modified May 26, 2005, 08:26:10]