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Everybody's Business

From old house, a spa

The home at Azeele Street and Sterling Avenue will offer hair, nail and makeup services when it opens later this year.

By MICHAEL CANNING
Published August 5, 2005

Business partners Robert Gandarilla and Candido Llana want to up the ante for salon spas in South Tampa.

There's nothing like driving through a wrought-iron gate and strolling past lush landscaping and a burbling fountain to give a feeling of luxury.

So the old house at Azeele Street and Sterling Avenue should do nicely, Gandarilla and Llana figured. They bought it a year and a half ago and have been working on converting it to the CR La Mansion Salon and Spa.

"We didn't want to alter it, just embellish it," Gandarilla said of the 1935 house, which is something of a neighborhood landmark with its distinctive English Tudor Revival architecture and brick exterior.

He was referring mainly to the outside of the house. Inside, they made big changes, starting with raising the ceiling from 9 feet to 12 and 15 feet. Wood floors, granite counter tops, contrasting colors and modern fixtures will add up to what Gandarilla calls an "eclectic Old World" motif.

The 1,778-square-foot house will offer hair, nail and makeup services. Space will also be set aside for a small jewelry boutique, an adjunct of Guido Morana Jewelers on N Armenia Avenue.

The house's detached garage will serve as the spa for massages, facials, waxing and permanent makeup. He expects to employ about 11 people.

The business should open in late November or early December, Gandarilla said. In the meantime, he and Llana will continue to work out of Jorgeo Hair Salon on S Dale Mabry Highway.

SUBWAY COMING TO SOHO: Khan can be an evocative name to have when building an empire. But Masood Khan seems like a pretty easy-going, down-to-earth guy.

After all, he's the owner of 13 local Subway franchises, not an heir to the Mongol Empire.

Number 14 should open soon, perhaps by mid September, he said. It will be at 614 S Howard Ave. in the former Mario's in the Park delicatessen next to Blockbuster and Shoe Masters Shoe Repair.

Khan said his Subway will seat 25 inside, eight to 10 outside, and should sport the Tuscany-flavored exterior style like his Subway store on S MacDill Avenue.

BEATING STARBUCKS TO THE PUNCH: You might call it a pre-emptive strike. Or perhaps a little brave.

Old Seminole Heights merchant Milton LaVoie is opening a coffee shop at Florida and Osborne avenues, a short drive from Hillsborough Avenue where a Starbucks will rise early next year.

Coffee Bean Cafe is nearing completion in the Whistle Stop Cafe and Sugar Daddy's ice cream shop.

It's next door to the Now and Again II antique shop, LaVoie's other business. John Wilshusen, who works at Now and Again II, said the cafe will focus on coffee and desserts but will also offer light fare, such as sandwiches, soups and salads.

An opening date hasn't been set yet, but Wilshusen said it should open soon.

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

[Last modified August 4, 2005, 08:43:14]