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Everybody's Business

Dirty job proves successful

By MICHAEL CANNING
Published October 13, 2006

"We outgrew that location," said Eddie's co-owner Richie Alverio. The 2,000-square-foot store wasn't just for dropping off and picking up clothes. It was also a plant for cleaning and processing items. The volume got to where "we couldn't process the work in time," said Alverio, whose company promises same day service six days a week.

So Alverio and his father, business founder Eddie Alverio, sold the Kennedy store to local cleaning giant McNatt's. It's now just a drop store.

The Alverios took the dry cleaning equipment to outfit their new 6,500-square-foot plant in Ybor City, at 3209 E Seventh Ave. Customers can drop off their clothes there too, but Richie Alverio said the facility's main purpose is to support the rest of the Eddie's chain, which is growing.

About the time they sold the Kennedy store to McNatt's, the Alverios also bought the former Dry Cleaning to Go at 8880 N Himes Ave., and the former Star Cleaners at 704 Harbour Post Drive on Harbour Island, and converted them to Eddie's. Another Eddie's will open within two months in FishHawk Ranch, Richie Alverio said.

In addition, two Eddie's opened in late spring, one at 1303 S Dale Mabry Highway next to Publix, the other in Bloomingdale.

POPPING OVER TO DALE MABRY: Just Popcorn and Candy Too. Let's Have a Party. Sound like two compatible businesses?

The business owners agree. So after three years at 500 S Howard Ave., Just Popcorn and Candy Too is moving inside Let's Have a Party at 1541 S Dale Mabry Highway, across from Wright's Gourmet House.

Just Popcorn manager Renee Jehl said the new location should benefit both businesses. Just Popcorn needs "more walk-in clientele," which the party supply store has, she said. Meanwhile, "The majority of our clients are people that want to do events."

Just Popcorn sells the stuff in more than 75 flavors, including cotton candy, Oreo, Snickers, pistachio, egg nog, lemonade and chocolate chip cookie.

Just Popcorn's last day on Howard is Nov. 11. It will open on Dale Mabry Nov. 12.

ERRAND GIRLS HIT THE ROAD: Friends Mary Frazier and Debby Collette tried retirement for about two years. "We got tired of it," Frazier said.

So they decided to start serving other retirees by launching Affordable Errand Girls on Sept. 6. Need wheels? They've each got a van, one of them wheelchair accessible.

So far the majority of their clientele have been seniors who need a lift to the doctor, the store, or the early bird special at the Ranch House or the Colonnade. They also specialize in express trips to destinations such as Wal-Mart, Target, flea markets, bingo halls and malls. Itinerary-based trips are also in the works, such as holiday shopping and tours to see Christmas light displays.

Frazier said they'll even do light housecleaning and pick up prescriptions.

The women dispatch themselves out of their own homes. Frazier lives in Fair Oaks/Manhattan Manor, and Collette lives in Sun Bay South. They don't set limits on their territory but generally charge $10 round trip for destinations south of Kennedy Boulevard, and $25 north of Kennedy.

They can be reached at 813 805-0607 or (813) 477-4018.

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

[Last modified October 12, 2006, 11:29:23]