Healthful shop to open doors at Maximo Plaza on Saturday

By PIPER JONES CASTILLO

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 5, 2000

Health and More will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday. "This will not be your traditional health food store," says Barbara Bland, owner of the business.

Along with merchandise including vitamins, herbs, organic produce, books, gift items and a small selection of women's clothing, Health and More will hold workshops on health and nutrition. Health and More, at 4361-A 34th St. S, is one of three stores set to open at Maximo Plaza in the next few months. The other two new tenants are Ace Hardware, moving from Skyway Plaza, and Maxi Mall, a vendor-driven variety market, owned by Sam Lee of Miami Fashions District.

A former paralegal at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles, Bland believes her health background combined with retail experience will benefit the business.

The physical landscape inspired Bland to choose the location. "I think this area is the most beautiful part of St. Petersburg. You can see the grandeur of the old neighborhood. It just needs a facelift," says the 60-year-old, who kept the "cosmetic renovations" under $5,000 by doing most of the work herself.

Health and More will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For information, call 866-0742.

Dr. Jeffrey Eduard Raheb has opened Vital Connection, a chiropractic clinic at 1200 Dr. M.L. King (Ninth) St. N, St. Petersburg. Raheb is a 1999 graduate of Life University's School of Chiropractic in Atlanta. For information, call 821-9700.

- Please send your business news items to Piper Jones Castillo, Neighborhood Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. E-mail piper@sptimes.com or call 893-8827.

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