Vinarium Italian restaurant will occupy space held briefly by Fortunato's, Ragin' Ribs and Delimania.
By MICHAEL CANNING
Published November 18, 2005
MUSIC SPOT SUNK: Think of any movie where the good guy almost makes it, can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but is cut down by fate - and perhaps fatal flaws.
It will help you cope. Because the Music Spot appears to be dead for good.
The unique record shop/music venue/bistro emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy recently and seemed on the verge of a surprising transformation. Plans were under way for the business to move from a storefront at 1902 S Dale Mabry Highway to the old Pickford's Sundries building on Hillsborough Avenue near Armenia Avenue.
The move would have given the business a historic flair while simultaneously resurrecting a 1949 vintage central Tampa relic. It also would have reduced the rent for Music Spot owner Mike Martin. Debt that saddled his business since it opened in January 2004 had made it difficult for Martin to cover his South Tampa rent.
Despite building a following with its unique atmosphere, gourmet cuisine and eclectic music, the Music Spot closed temporarily in June 2005 to regroup financially. Martin pared down the staff, then reopened in July and started planning the store's move with Pickford's majority owner Marie Haley.
But by late August, the Music Spot closed again. A Sept. 13 bankruptcy notice posted on the door says the business entered Chapter 7 liquidation. The store is now gutted, except for debris and torn posters.
Two weeks ago, Haley spoke with Martin, who said moving ahead on the new venture wasn't feasible.
Haley said she would have loved to have seen him in Pickford's. "I liked him a lot. I was willing to cut him such a great deal (on the lease)."
Haley, whose family opened Pickford's Sundries in 1950 and ran it until its demise in 1998, still hopes a business will take over the dilapidated Art Deco building. "Anything is possible," she said. "I am open to anything that makes sense."
Martin did not return calls for comment.
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HAVE A CIGAR: He had already come up with clever cigars and cigar tins. So cigar entrepreneur Joe Lackey figured it was time to come up with a store where he could sell them.
South Tampa Cigars and Accessories opened Nov. 5 in Carriage Trade Plaza, 1716 S Dale Mabry Highway.
Along with premium cigars, cutters, lighters, ashtrays and a variety of home humidors, the 1,500-square-foot shop also features two product lines that Lackey developed - SweeTeez flavored cigars and Private Label Gifts cigar tins.
SweeTeez are hand-rolled in the Dominican Republic and come in six flavors: honey, cherry, vanilla, rum, chocolate and natural. The cigar tins can be customized with virtually any message or graphic.
