Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 3, 2000
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Coliseum Ballroom, where parking can be a challenge, is getting 64 new spaces that should be ready in early October.
"It has taken a few years to get the property and get the structures demolished," said general manager Lauren Kleinfeld.
The new parking is behind the ballroom and consists of seven lots, six of which had structures on them. The buildings ranged from a shack to a rooming house, Kleinfeld said, and were razed.
With the parking additions, the Coliseum will have 275 spaces -- asphalt to match the others and fully landscaped, Kleinfeld said.
Cost of the project, excluding land acquisition and demolition of structures, is $244,970.
ST. PETERSBURG -- Clementine's, the women's clothier that has been a fixture at 400 Beach Drive, closed Thursday. Ruth Fernandez, who has owned the shop for eight years, said she planned to retire.
"I need some time off," Mrs. Fernandez said. "We are here from Sunday to Sunday. When we are not selling, we are cleaning."
Mrs. Fernandez said she had been unable to replace some of her longtime sales people who retired in the past year or so. They knew all of the customers who bought what she described as the "better clothing" for women.
Clementine's opened in 1957 in another location with another name. It has been at the Beach Drive location since 1971. Mrs. Fernandez said she did not know who would be in the space next.
ST. PETERSBURG -- Fettuccini's, the Italian restaurant at 211 Second St. S, closed earlier this summer. It was a favorite with a number of people who liked its atmosphere, described as comfortable, and the food, described as good. The restaurant also offered take-out service.
Joe Pugliano, one of four owners of the restaurant, said a sign was posted at the beginning of July saying Fettuccini's would be closed until July 15 for vacation. It remained closed after that date, and its answering service said the re-opening date would be the end of July. Then the phones were disconnected.
"They didn't come back," Pugliano said. "They had a great following."
Pugliano said several people had looked at the restaurant and expressed an interest in taking it over and keeping the Northern Italian cuisine.