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Clubs change hands, names

By Sharon Ginn, Times Correspondent
Published February 15, 2008

The demise of Whiskey SoHo this week doesn't necessarily mean things will be quieter on the corner of Swann and Howard avenues.

Post Properties has received the approval for its long-planned residential project and gave Whiskey SoHo the notice to vacate last month, said Larissa Rydin, marketing manager for the popular nightclub and lounge. Work on the four-story, 192-unit apartment complex with 19,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and office space could begin soon.

Atlanta-based Post Properties purchased the Whiskey SoHo site and surrounding property for a total of about $12-million in 2005, according to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office. Original plans were for condominium and retail units to be built on the site, but city records show Post submitted new plans in July that changed the residences to apartments.

The project received final city approval on Jan. 31. Post representatives could not be reached last week for further details.

Whiskey SoHo's closing on Sunday is coinciding with the debut of a new nightclub property by the same ownership group. The Kennedy is set to open within the next few weeks at the former site of Bahasa Lounge, which closed in July. The new club, located at 2408 W Kennedy Blvd., will be a "boutique lounge," Rydin said.

Like Whiskey SoHo, Hyde Park Caf, Cheap, SoHo Pizza Joint and other nightspots and restaurants in and around SoHo, the Kennedy is owned by a partnership led by Tommy Ortiz.

Most employees of Whiskey SoHo will be transferred to the Kennedy or other Ortiz businesses, Rydin said.

The Kennedy will have a different atmosphere from Whiskey SoHo. "It's a lot of dark woods and very luxurious," Rydin said. "Nothing like we've ever done before."

The Kennedy will initially hold only 100 or so people, Rydin said, but will expand as stages of construction are finished.

The club will be open only Thursday-Saturday at first, from "early evening until 3 a.m.," she said.

Past Perfect is present

The crystal chandeliers that have long lit the windows of Crows Nest Antiques now are brightening another storefront that had been dark since 2003.

Antique store Past Perfect opened last week at 2301-B S MacDill Ave., a retail space that had been empty since Elaine's Enchanted Garden closed four years ago. The new store is a remake of the Crows Nest, which was located at 4129 S MacDill before closing early this month.

Past Perfect owner Jeff Surrena, who began putting items up for sale at the Crows Nest two years ago, loved the business so much that he wanted his own shop. When longtime Crows Nest owner Paul Londeree decided it was time to scale back his business, they switched roles. Londeree closed his shop and is now working for Surrena at the more spacious Past Perfect.

"I'd call it my midlife crisis," Surrena said. "I had been in consumer banking for 20 years and as part of a merger, our office in Tampa closed. I had to think about what I enjoyed doing. I'd always enjoyed collecting and buying antiques."

Past Perfect carries furniture, lighting and accent pieces that are at least 30 to 40 years old, most of it from Florida homeowners liquidating their estates. The store also offers space to vendors who specialize in antique jewelry, Surrena said.

Past Perfect is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Store items can be viewed on its Web site, www.tampasbestantiques.com.

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

The find

Custom silk designs

All eyes will be on this or any custom floral design for home or office created by Scott Darhower at Apple Blossoms, 3642 W Kennedy Blvd. Bring in your own vase or choose something like this unusual pot for $42.99. Pheasant feathers sold separately. Call 416-8017.

[Last modified February 14, 2008, 22:53:55]