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Everybody's Business

Mutually beneficial merging

By Michael Canning
Published March 2, 2007

In looking for a place to locate their catering business, Cheryl and Waylon Nelson figured the century-old, 20,000-square-foot neoclassical Italian Club will do.

There wasn't a whole lot of downside, the way the Nelsons saw it. Under one roof they would have plenty of event space divvied up in a variety of elegant ballrooms and theaters, a working commercial kitchen, a built-in client base, and even an established bar set up in the building's cantina that does happy hour every Friday.

As it turns out, the Nelsons had already worked with the Italian Club - the organization shares the same name as the building at 1731 E Seventh Ave. in Ybor City - for a few events before moving in mid January. Now the Nelsons' Wayl of a Time Catering is the official event coordinator and property manager of the historic building.

Cheryl said she and her husband are planning a series of dinner events with themes revolving around wine, cigars, scotch and ancient Rome. Weddings, private and company parties, and holiday events are part of the Nelsons' repertoire.

The Nelsons started Wayl of a Time in 2005 after both having worked for the Palm restaurant chain in Orlando, then Tampa. Waylon was an executive chef there, and now handles the cooking for Wayl of a Time. Cheryl was a restaurant manager at the Palm, and handles event planning and everything other than cooking for their business.

Before settling at the Italian Club, the Nelsons used kitchen space at Rattlefish Raw Bar and Grill on Rattlesnake Point.

Wayl of a Time Catering's phone is 248-3316, and the Web site is www.waylofatime.com.

Art gallery closed

There's an underlying issue beneath the recent closing of Lyssa Morgan Gallery at 4062 Henderson Blvd., according to owner Lyssa Carter.

"Tampa doesn't quite embrace the arts the way it should," she said.

Besides low attendance, Carter said there was a dispute with the landlord about the rent.

Carter said she donated money from every sale her gallery made to dozens of local charities.

But her work in the arts and with helping others isn't over.

Artrageous of Tampa is a nonprofit group Carter is organizing with two of her former gallery employees, Rena Charles and Marc Sonenberg. The concept: Promote local artists outside the local arts scene and, in return, have them volunteer their time to teach art programs at local schools.

There are already plans to send artist Toby McWhirter to the Artexpo New York, Carter said. Details as to which school he might go to as a volunteer haven't been completed, Carter said.

Much of Artrageous in Tampa has yet to take shape, including funding. But Carter knows it is needed in a town that has long struggled to nurture something resembling a healthy arts scene.

"I think a lot of people are intimidated to even go into an art gallery," she said. "We want to change that."

Lyssa Morgan Gallery closed Feb. 24, ending slightly more than a two-year run at the intersection of Henderson Boulevard and Estrella Street. The Morgan in the name is the middle name of Carter's husband and two children.

Rug store closing

Kasro Eatemad hopes customers will leave Saks "sacked," because as the sign on his store says, "everything must go."

Saks Oriental Rugs is going out of business after six years at 1916 S Dale Mabry Highway, across from Boston Market. Eatemad said his rent was raised twice in recent months, and he can no longer afford it.

His stock, which includes rugs of all sizes from Iran, Pakistan, India and China, is discounted up to 79 percent off. The last day of business will be April 9.

Before moving to Tampa to open the store, Eatemad ran an Oriental rug gallery with his brother in New York City. Eatemad said he's not sure what he will do next, but he is considering retirement.

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

The find

Finders Keepers

Never dump your purse to find your keys again. Clip this clever key holder on a pocketbook, backpack or briefcase and your digging days are over. Choose from 36 styles - hearts, flowers, shoes and such - $10 each at http://findyourkeysfast.com or call 813 220-0182.

Amy Scherzer, Times Staff Writer

[Last modified March 1, 2007, 07:35:45]