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Everybody's Business

Comings, goings at Old Hyde Park

There is no solid word on Stationery Square and a spokeswoman mentions a possible restaurant and two "national tenants."

By MICHAEL CANNING
Published April 14, 2006

The revolving door keeps humming at Old Hyde Park Village.

The recent arrivals of Coco Brazil, Feranda Jeans, Arocha and Tampa General Hospital's Community Health Education Center have been offset by the recent departures of White House/Black Market and April Cornell and the uncertain status of Village veteran Stationery Square.

Stationery Square owner Sheila Kopelman said she plans to retire soon and move to Georgia. New owners may take over the store or it may close. A retirement sale continues for the next several weeks.

The store opened 22 years ago, occupying two spots on MacDill Avenue before settling in at the Village's Snow Circle more than 13 years ago.

White House/Black Market defected to WestShore Plaza in February, and April Cornell closed in mid March as that company teeters on the verge of bankruptcy.

Lynn Luczkowski, spokeswoman for the Village's majority owner Wasserman Real Estate Capital, said "two national tenants'' have shown interest in the vacancies left by Black Market and Cornell but declined further details.

Luczkowski added that "we're very close to signing a new restaurant,'' which would occupy the space catty-corner to Timpano's Italian Chophouse. She declined to release the name.

SWEETBAY WASHING ASHORE: Kash n' Karry's extreme makeover into Sweetbay Supermarket is making its way through the grocery chain's South Tampa locations.

The Kash n' Karry stores at 4317 W Gandy Blvd. and 2525 N Dale Mabry Highway reopened as Sweetbays on Saturday.

The store at 2100 W Swann Ave. will become Sweetbay sometime in the third or fourth quarter of the year, said Kash n' Karry/Sweetbay spokeswoman Nicole Le Beau.

The remaining bay area Kash n' Karry stores will be converted by the end of the year, and the stores north of the bay area stretching to Gainesville will become Sweetbays in 2007, Le Beau said. The market, based in Tampa, has 107 stores throughout Florida.

The Sweetbay conversion began in 2005 in an effort to revitalize Kash n' Karry's outdated stores and sagging market presence.

Each conversion includes new layouts, expanded food departments, new decor and colors, and training for employees, Le Beau said.

RELIEF FOR LATE ACHES: The South Tampa office of the Pediatric Health Care Alliance now offers night hours. Alliance clients can schedule same-day sick visits from 6 to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the 3222 W Azeele St. office.

Patient demand and the advent of medical clinics opening in retail environments brought about the change.

"The medical landscape is changing when you have retailers such as Publix and Target providing medical services in their stores,'' said Alliance medical director Dr. L. Lane France.

"We know the best health care for children includes familiar surroundings and familiar faces, provided by a licensed pediatrician with access to comprehensive medical resources.''

Alliance has 13 locations throughout the bay area.

EAGLE HAS LANDED: Eagle Cleaners has opened its second location at 407 S Dale Mabry Highway, near Azeele Street.

The other Eagle is at 301 W Platt St.

Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Call 226-3394, or e-mail mikecanning@hotmail.com.

[Last modified April 13, 2006, 13:00:28]