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Around the bay: Tasty tricks hook his customers

Business news from around Tampa Bay

By Times Staff
Published August 20, 2007

New Port Richey

Tasty tricks hook his customers

For five years Paul Johnson has been trying to make a go of it. His business? Seven Springs Seafood Co., a shop that sits snuggled in a corner of the Seven Springs Center strip mall on Little Road. About a year ago, Johnson felt he was finally rounding a corner. But this year? "Not so great. This year's been a tough year with the economy and stuff. It's not easy," said Johnson, who has tried a variety of ways to lure customers. Gimmicks like an old-fashioned fish fry on Fridays; Maine lobster dinners on Wednesdays; Cooking classes held once a month on Saturday mornings; and a home-delivery service offered Tuesday through Thursday for $10 a trip. "Most people, once they come here that first time, they're coming back," he said.

Tarpon Springs

Company's dream fits in soup can

With Michael Houllis, it's all about soup.

His 15-year dream has finally come true: He's putting the classic Greek chicken-lemon-orzo soup into a can.

The first 3,000 cases of the soup, made at a plant in New Era, Mich., came out in mid June and are in markets from Pinellas County to as far as Chicago.

He formed Houllis' Island House Inc., doing business as It's Greek to Me Foods (www.itsgreektomefoods.com). His sister Madelyne LaChance and her son Darwin Salls are officers of the company and the three operating the business together. A can costs $2.39.

It took an investment of $100,000 to start the business, Houllis said.

The soup, he said, "is a sacred food to the Greeks."

"Our grandmothers and mothers have made it for generations. There's nothing like sitting down with fresh Greek bread and a steaming bowl of the soup."

Largo

City looks to help start-ups get started

How hard is it to start a new business in Largo?

That's a key question around City Hall and the local Chamber of Commerce, and local leaders are looking for an answer through a panel created this spring to identify hurdles faced by new business owners.

In November, the Business Development Review Panel will present its findings to the City Commission, along with suggestions generated by surveys and focus groups.

The goal? To streamline development procedures to make processes smoother for start-ups.

"If you're coming in as a novice, especially as a new business, it can be very overwhelming," said Tom Morrissette, president of the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce. "So what we're asking is: 'How can we make it more user-friendly?' "

The Business Development Review Panel, made up of representatives from the city, the chamber and local developers, sent surveys to 102 recent planning and permitting customers asking them to rate their experiences and offer suggestions for better service.

The group was formed in response to repeated complaints received by the chamber that included permitting and inspection delays.

Wesley Jenkins, co-owner of Blue Diamond Builders in Largo, returned his survey with several suggestions.

Jenkins said he would like to see monthly meetings between the city and developers for updates on regulations, restrictions and procedures.

"Even the dialogue itself leads to a better understanding," Jenkins said.

St. Petersburg

This 'detective' helps companies with utilities

Larger companies' utility bills are often so large that it creates a business opportunity in looking for discrepancies.

"When you're dealing with the volumes we are, you're constantly looking for measures to improve efficiency," said Gregg Nicklaus, one of the owners of the Sirata Beach Resort.

Some of that efficiency came with the help of Utility Savers, a one-man operation that sells low-flow water fixtures and offers forensic work to find utility waste and savings. Bill Davis has run the business for a dozen years, yet is still learning.

"That's the fun part for me, that I still see new things," said Davis, who works from a small office south of downtown. "I can't believe some of these things went unnoticed for so long."

Like the Sirata's neighbor, the TradeWinds, which had Davis out in 2000 to look at its utility operations. Davis found a gas line that was being metered twice, meaning the resort was paying twice for some of its natural gas.

Because he works on contingency, when he found the error and the hotel received a retroactive refund, Davis split the savings and pocketed $30,000.

"We've also had some refunds that came out to $30, too," he said.

[Last modified August 17, 2007, 20:21:24]