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By Times Staff Writer
Published October 24, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG

Wine retailer prepares for franchise push

Ahead of an ambitious expansion and a November public offering, Cork and Olive is selling its Fourth Street location and several others as it ventures into franchising. Michael Probst, president of the 4-year-old company, said he has been working on establishing a good base level with the current 15 corporate-owned locations and developing the franchise materials. Now, the company is actively shopping existing franchises and territories. He said the company will go public Nov. 12 and will launch 50 stores statewide next year. Franchises, like the store at 944 Fourth St. N, will sell in the range of $400,000.

ST. PETERSBURG

Author will share 'big box' research

Stacy Mitchell, author of Big-Box Swindle, will speak tonight at the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast in the Grand Central District, soon to be home to a new Wal-Mart. Mitchell will share her research about "how mega-retailers are fueling many of our most pressing problems, from the shrinking middle class to rising pollution and diminished civic engagement," according to her Web site, bigboxswindle.com. The event is at 7 p.m., 3050 First Ave. S. Call Craftsman House Gallery at (727) 323-2787.

ST. PETERSBURG

Shop will purchase, resell used clothing

Spinderella's Steals' owner says her new store at 6393 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N is not a consignment store. Jennifer Steele will buy your current style clothes for cash, not just sell them for you. She said she has a variety of modern-styled, second-hand clothing, shoes, handbags, belts and more. Call 522-3325.

[Last modified October 24, 2007, 00:03:26]