It’s been a number of months since we ran an article about Corey Ave., (74th Ave) the main street of St. Pete Beach. The big news on Corey this season has been Jackie’s Bistro, which has joined Chill as a top-rated dining and music venue. Other than that, business changes on the street had been pretty much the same… until lately. Some of the merchants are reporting “an amazing season” Simply Perfect even expanded. Meanwhile, others have closed and ‘for lease’ signs appear in windows. Still others have opened, brand new, full of hope and anticipation. The Swigwam may have gained a friend in city hall. Terri Finnerty, the new commissioner for District 1took the race by 24 votes over incumbent Lorraine Huhn. At her election celebration at the Swigwam, Terri spoke of her support to do everything to help make Corey a destination for visitors.
Kathie Hansen, owner of Corey Corner’s Antiques, one of the most involved members of the Corey Area Business Association (CABA) for most of a decade, retired at least temporarily, closing her storefront business and her role in the CABA organization. At a special meeting called for the purpose, CABA members voted unanimously to contract their Corey Sunday Fresh Market management out to Laura Garrison, a seasoned market operator from the nearby Gulfport Fresh Market. Under her guidance the Corey Sunday Market has grown, in just it’s second week under her care, to twice the size, filling much of the area used by the popular seasonal arts and craft shows that come to this historic beach’s main street, from Gulf Blvd. west to the post office.
Next door to Kathie’s place, which is now available for lease, Debbie Vandeveer has decided to call it quits at the Blue Sky Boutique, Her husband Ralph is selling local organic honeys Sundays on Corey and elsewhere and says “She just needs a break, and a rest”. Three doors east, where Lornie & Rose ran Lithos Jewelers years ago, a new jewelry shop has opened up with local jewelry designer Owen Sweet in charge. Owen says “Gold is as low in price as it has been for a while, down 35% from prior highs. That makes one of my unique or custom designs a bargain. Stop in and pick up a little something for someone special for Easter, a birthday or Mothers Day. It may be a prudent place to invest some of those stock market gains”.
Across the street from Corey Corners, Cheryl West says, “Business has been unbelievable” at Paradise Gifts & Home Décor. The bulk of her business is unusual affordable gifts plus framed art, tables & lamps. She is amazed at the incredible demand she is finding for Inis, her newest line. “I was so impressed with the fresh sea scent and the way the cream feels on your skin that I told my rep I would give it a try”. It is an Irish made line of skin creams and fragrances for both men and women, and it is flying off the shelf. She included a $5 off $50 coupon in this issue of Paradise NEWS to encourage our readers to give it a try. For people that are flying or wish to sample, there is a trial kit for about $20 with samples of three items in containers small enough to fly with.
Between her shop and the presently dark Beach Theatre, there is a brand new Natural Comfort shoe store. Years ago there was a shop in downtown Tierra Verde that was not well discovered, but they are being welcomed to the Corey mix. Check out these great shoes, including brands like Mezlan, Bacco Bucci, Lacoste, Pikolinos, Merrell, Cushe, Vibram Five Finger, Keen, Helle, MBT, Spring Step, Icon, Teva, Reef, Rainbow, Sole, Spira, Olukia.
In the block west of Paradise Gifts, The Bead Shop has changed hands. Toronto Canadians Steve & Silvia Desrocher made their winter home a permanent one as they took over ownership and management. The place was practically full of Canadians when I visited, but they all said they were great admirers of Paradise NEWS so they seemed very intelligent. Next door to the Bead Shop, Sherri & Terri opened Simply Serendipity, a kind of a little café’ and a gift boutique with ‘new and repurposed unique items’ for sale. Sherri says this is her retirement gig, having recently come south from Indiana, so she WANTS to keep it small. Call her with questions, 727-301-8662.
The site on St. Pete Beach previously known as Charlies Oasis, Philthy Phils, Twisted Tarpon, and Daiquiri Shak, at the west end of 75th Ave. is reopening soon as Crab Daddy’s. Daiquiri Shak retreated to its Madeira Beach location when the property changed hands. Daiquiri Shak Owner Jeremy Runo is reportedly looking at other, more long-term locations. Meanwhile, the building has been getting cosmetic improvements in anticipation of a reopening, perhaps even this month.
Elsewhere in the downtown district, signs point to a future paint war. A Crowder Hardware store is expected to open some time this summer. There’s a very nice Crowder Brothers in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. We’ve learned, however that ours is related to the Crowder Hardware, Gun, Pawn and Gold Buying store in Spring Hill.
A half block west a big sign says “Sherwin Williams – Coming Soon.” The paint company has bought the site west of the now-shuttered Riviera restaurant, and construction is expected to commence soon on a new paint store on that corner.
Story by by Peter Roos
Date: April 2014