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Fetch.Fur.Love Has Tongues (And Tails) Wagging

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By MICHAEL H. SAMUELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 14, 2007

TAMPA - Rickena Perry says she has always loved animals.

She would buy her pets clothes and toys, so much so that she started attending pet fashion conferences and conventions.

That's how she got the idea to open her dog boutique, Fetch.Fur.Love, 500 S. Howard Ave., Suite E.

"When I graduated from Florida State, I would try to go out and make my own pet clothes," Perry said. "But I can't design worth anything, and I can't sew, so I would buy my own dogs this and that."

The store features a menagerie of collars, leashes, bags, toys, clothes, beds, holistic natural foods, organic treats, jewelry and more.

There's even a small cat section with collars and carriers.

The store is in the strip center that housed Great Harvest Bread, which closed recently and is expected to be replaced by a pita restaurant.

Fetch.Fur.Love replaces a jewelry store.

"I'm getting a lot of foot traffic," Perry said. "I'm from South Tampa, and I live in South Tampa. I've been here 20 years. I thought this would be a great location, and I went for it."

Fetch.Fur.Love is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For information, call (813) 254-5683.

Get Your Kicks At Wah Lum
Chinese tradition says martial arts studios should wait a year before holding a grand opening ceremony, Cynthia Haase says.

At Wah Lum Kung Fu of Tampa, 1702 W. Cass St., tradition holds a special place, said Haase, who owns the kwoon, or studio, with her husband, Tom.

Last year, they relocated from MacDill Avenue to the third location for the studio since it opened in 1997. They held the grand opening last weekend.

Cynthia Haase said she has been studying martial arts for 20 years and her husband has been studying for 32 years.

"We liked it so much, we wanted to share what we knew with other people," she said.

The 4,500-square-foot studio is in a 1950s building that has housed a gas station and automotive repair shop. Now the building looks like a Chinese temple, she said.

Classes range from beginner to advanced and students from ages 5 to 85, she said.

The studio is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

For information, call (813) 875-6177.

New Billiards Store Racking Up Business

LJ Custom Billiards, described as a one-stop shop for everything billiards, has opened at 3216 W. Kennedy Blvd., next to Jasmine Thai.

Manager Mike Knox said the store sells Craftmaster pool tables and supplies, and also does re-covering and service work.

"The whole nine yards," said Knox, adding that he has 25 years' experience in the billiards business. "We do it all. I've got tables in my showroom right here. Sets of balls, cues, racks, billiards clocks.

"It's a good location," he said. "There's a lot of traffic."

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

For information, call (813) 875-8555.

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

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