How's business?
By ROBBYN MITCHELL, Times Staff Writer
Published February 1, 2008
Moves
Number 1 Karate for Kids
Address: 17409 Bridge Hill Court
Former address: 15355 Amberly Drive
Reason for move: "We moved a little closer to I-75 for parents," said owner Greg Diaz.
Thoughts about the new place: "We are in a much larger office building now, so that's good," Diaz said.
Golf Etc.
Address: 1664 Bruce B Downs Blvd. in Wesley Chapel
Former address: 14915 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Reason for move: Golf Etc. moved to Wesley Chapel to expand. "Our new store is twice the size of our last one," said co-owner Brian Fish.
Thoughts about the new place: "It was a good move for us and our business," Fish said.
Gary N. Steen, dentist
Address: 3232 Cove Bend Drive
Former address: 14516 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Reason for move: Space was available in the doctor's complex behind the Cracker Barrel at Bearss Avenue and Bruce B. Downs.
Sunbelt Title Agencyand Coldwell Banker
Address: 19026 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Former address: 16027 and 16009 Tampa Palms Blvd.
Reason for move: "The company just decided to close that office and we downsized," said Susan Roberts, an employee.
Thoughts about the new place: "There's really no difference that I know about," Roberts said.
Vacancies
14945 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Former location ofAbbey Carpet of Tampa Palms
14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Former location ofChing's China Grill
17004 Palm Pointe Drive
Former location ofMo's Gourmet Bakery & Deli
17006 Palm Pointe Drive
Former location of A Petal's Touch Florist
16029 Tampa Palms Blvd.
Former location ofBay Area Cleaners
16013 Tampa Palms Blvd.
Former location of Gold's Gym
New arrivals
All About Grills
Address: 15355 Amberly Drive
Services offered: It's a retailer for custom grills and outdoor kitchens that are made in Largo and installed at your home, said Trevor Baker, son of the store's owner.
Former location of: Number 1 Karate for Kids
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
TAMPA PALMS - Even in a struggling economy, retailers see green in New Tampa. While the number of new small businesses decreased between 2005 and 2006 nationwide and the closing of established businesses increased, turnover was a good bit slower on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. ¶ "There is always limited availability in the area," said Patrick Berman, senior director of retail brokerage for Cushman & Wakefield. Retail vacancy runs under 5 percent, he said. ¶ That all might change with the arrival of retail giants such as Ross and Bed Bath & Beyond. "If you're a discount clothing store, Ross might not be good news," he said. "But if you provide some other service, the increase in traffic from 10,000 to 50,000 increases the size of the pie that everyone shares." ¶ For a snapshot, we looked at the Tampa Palms stretch of Bruce B. Downs, where in the past year four stores closed, four moved and three newcomers fought their way onto New Tampa's main street.
Tampa Guitar School II
Address: 15345 Amberly Drive
Services offered: Guitar, piano and drum lessons, guitar and accessories sales
This branch is an expansion of the original Tampa Guitar School on W Hillsborough Avenue.
"There really wasn't anybody out here giving lessons, so we are filling the demand," said Andy Wallace, an instructor at the school.
Former location of: David Jewelers
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
U.S. Coast Laser Center
Address: 15347 Amberly Drive
Services offered: Laser hair removal, photo facials, microdermabrasion, etc.
"A lot of our customers come in for the laser hair removal in the underarms and bikini," said Adrianne Davis, one of the center's estheticians.
Former location of: A cell phone store and Mathew Ray State Farm Insurance
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays
Elegant Nailsand Spa
Address: 14915 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Services offered: Manicures, pedicures, waxing, etc.
Former location of: Super Suppers, a store where customers purchased the exact ingredients to cook a meal. Neighbors say the concept of going out to cook your own dinner was too much for New Tampa customers.
Opening date: To be announced. Elegant Nails' sign is up and the windows are covered with newspaper. "We don't have any information as to when it will open," said Michael Maloney of the Krauss Group.
Source for statistics: U.S. Small Business Administration