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Tea lounge eyes Hyde Park space

The space of the now-closed Mirta's Gallery Coffeehouse appeals to a USF area shop owner.

By RICK GERSHMAN
Published October 13, 2006

UNIVERSITY - The closing of a Hyde Park art gallery and coffeehouse could be a business opportunity for a university-area tea lounge short on space.

Kaleisia Tea Lounge is looking to open a second tea room at 119 S Hyde Park Ave., former home to Mirta's Gallery Coffeehouse.

Kaleisia pronounced kuh-LIE-zhuh is a blend of the words "kaleidoscope" and "Asia."

It has been open for almost 18 months on E Fletcher Avenue at 15th Street, in a plaza near the University of South Florida.

Kim Pham, who owns Kaleisia with her cousin Lan Ha, said she was "very sad" that Mirta's decided to close.

But the location would be perfect for a South Tampa tea lounge, she said, because there's plenty of space for a full-size tea room.

That would allow Kaleisia to do traditional Japanese tea service and gong fu, a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, said Pham (pronounced Fom).

"We don't really have the space for that" at the Fletcher Avenue shop, she said. "And it's difficult with all the students and music and all."

Kaleisia has more than 150 varieties of tea, plus smoothies, vegetarian food and pastries.

Pham said she was in discussions with the building's landlord and was hopeful they could come to terms.

The funky Hyde Park Avenue art gallery and restaurant closed suddenly last week, even as its owners considered adding a patio and serving alcohol.

Founder and co-owner Albert Burruezo said he found it too exhausting to run the gallery in addition to his work as a real estate agent.

"It was just getting to be a lot of work, too much, and the fun got out of it," he said.

Though Mirta's is gone, Burruezo plans to continue some involvement in showcasing local art. He's in discussions with friends who own That's Amore, an Italian restaurant on Harbour Island, to do art openings there, perhaps every other month.

Rick Gershman can be reached at rgershman@sptimes.com or 226-3431.

[Last modified October 12, 2006, 08:43:20]