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To Go No More, But More To Go

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By MICHAEL H. SAMUELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 17, 2007

TAMPA - The Empanadas To Go on Dale Mabry Highway has gone.

Instead, there's Empanadas and More, 138 S. Dale Mabry Highway.

The business is changing from being a supplier of empanadas to convenience stores and other retailers to being a restaurant and caterer. It serves empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, deviled crabs, stuffed potatoes, Spanish bean soup, black beans and yellow rice, and more.

The 800-square-foot storefront is just south of Kennedy Boulevard. Part-owner Wilson Hill said the business is growing slowly.

'It's a small place and I want to take it to be a much bigger place,' he said.

Hill said he plans to knock out a wall and move the counter back to make room for a few seats.

'Also, when we become successful, we can look for a bigger place,' he said.

The restaurant is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For information, call (813) 870-6500.

Store Adds Allure To Kitchens, Baths
Mark Thurston says he knows how to install kitchen cabinets and countertops.

He says he has installed 18,000 kitchens throughout the Tampa Bay area. Thurston used to work for Masco Corp., which supplies kitchen cabinets and counters to stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's.

Now those stores are the main competition to his new business, Allure Kitchens and Bath, 3406 S. Dale Mabry Highway.

Although the company is new, it has more than 30 years of combined experience, Thurston said.

It sells Masterbrand cabinets, wood, laminate and tile flooring, and stone, granite and concrete countertops. Home estimates are free, he said.

'We're really focusing on the small builders and the homeowners,' he said. 'We want to be the South Tampa neighborhood cabinet store.'

The store is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

For information, call (813) 831-0800.

Gym Danie Opens In Ballast Point
Danielle 'Danie' Jones says she owns one successful gym. Now she has opened a second in a bigger location.

Gym Danie, 5716 Interbay Blvd., is a 1,440-square-foot personal training studio with chef services and circuit and weight-management classes.

Clients work with a personal trainer, using machines, free weights, cardio equipment and floor space for circuit training and obstacle courses, Jones said.

Jones said she graduated from Tulane University with a sports administration degree and ran big health clubs before opening Gym Danie in Hyde Park three years ago.

'I downscaled into a really small training studio,' she said.

The Ballast Point location has five personal trainers and is open by appointment only.

'Right now, we do not have anybody manning the place,' she said. 'If you have a scheduled appointment, we open it for you specifically.'

For information, call (813) 600-3434.

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

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