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By MICHAEL H. SAMUELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 19, 2007

TAMPA - For 42 years, Cosme "Cookie" Herrera has been in the jewelry business.

He got his start in high school working for Sears and opened his first jewelry shop when he graduated from college.

He moved di Hilcos Jewelers first from Columbus Drive to Dale Mabry Highway and now is merging his business with Mavilo Wholesalers, a jewelry business owned by Mark Oliva, 4150 N. Armenia Ave., Suite 100.

"I'll be doing like I'm doing here," Herrera said. "We've been talking about doing this for 10 years."

But first Herrera said he needs to get rid of his inventory; he's offering up to 80 percent discounts through the store's closing in January.

"I'd like to sell it all," he said. "The cases, the chandelier, the safe."

Di Hilcos, 1155 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 21, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

For information, call (813) 289-4344.

The Queen Of Sheba Dethrones Manengo's

The Queen of Sheba is the latest restaurant to set its table at 3636 Henderson Blvd.

It follows Manengo's Cuban restaurant, which followed Ristorante Vinarium, which followed Fortunato's, which followed Ragin' Ribs.

"That was scary," owner Selbe Gizaw said about the location's track record. "We think we're going to make it."

The restaurant sells traditional Ethiopian dishes, including doro wat, a stewlike dish with sauteed onions, fresh garlic, ginger, Ethiopian sauces, hardboiled egg and chicken, Gizaw said.

There also are vegetarian platters with beans, lentils, split peas, cabbage, carrots and collard greens.

This is Gizaw's second restaurant. She said she moved with her family from Tallahassee to be closer to her church.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. It opens at noon Sundays but closing time varies.

For information, call (813) 872-6000.

Sangria's Evicted; More Tapas On Tap

Now that the long fight between the owners of Sangria's Spanish Tapas Bar and Restaurant and landlord Tommy Ortiz is over, Ortiz is putting a new tapas restaurant in Sangria's place.

Ortiz said Ruy Pedroso, the executive chef of Cheap and formerly of Sangria's and Ceviche, will create the menu and run the unnamed restaurant.

"It's going to be another great restaurant," Ortiz said.

Ortiz, who owns and operates Whiskey Park, Hyde Park Cafe and Taqueria Quetzalcoatl, plans a major redevelopment of the building, 309-315 S. Howard Ave.

He plans a mix of restaurants downtstairs, including Cheap, SoHo Sushi and the new tapas eatery. Upstairs, Ortiz has said he wants to create a cigar/dessert bar/art gallery.

Ortiz won a court case to evict Sangria's this month.

The restaurant plans to replace LeRoy's 4X4 Automotive Service Center at 512 E. Hillsborough Ave. The property is next to a Starbucks at Hillsborough and Central Avenue.

A wet zoning hearing on the Hillsborough property is scheduled for Friday.

Opening a new business? Expanding or relocating? Contact reporter Michael H. Samuels at msamuels@tampatrib.com or (813) 835-2109.

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