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Women's Accessories Shop Blooming

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By MICHAEL H. SAMUELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2007

TAMPA - Every time James Sontag's daughter passes a Claire's store in the mall, she drags him in there.

'She could stay there for hours,' said Sontag, co-owner of Zoey Bloom, a new women's accessories store at 1710 S. Dale Mabry Highway. 'We wanted to create an atmosphere like that for the sophisticated lady.'

Sontag and co-owner JoAnne Rosenfeld opened the store about three weeks ago. The longtime friends met in Michigan, where he worked as a buyer for Jacobson's. Rosenfeld's husband was chief executive of the company.

'We had talked about it on and off for years,' Sontag said. 'Then JoAnne called me a year ago and said, 'Now I'm serious.''

Sontag said the business sells accessories such as belts, scarves, purses and jewelry.
Jewelry prices range from $45 to $2,000. Purses can cost between $75 and $700.

'When you walk in here, you will not know you are in a traditional Tampa store,' he said. 'It has a Madison Avenue feeling to it. It's a very comfortable atmosphere, very light and bright.'

The store is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

For information, call (813) 333-9104.
Lazzara Yachts Wins International Award

For the second consecutive year, a yacht made by Rattlesnake Point-based Lazzara Yachts has won an award at the Cannes Boat Show.

The Lazzara LSX Quad 75 won the World Yachts Award Open Yacht Under 25 Meters-Most Innovative Yacht trophy.

Company owner Dick Lazzara was there to receive the award. He said the award ceremony was seen by 50,000 people on the shore in the famous European resort town.

'This is quite a feather in our cap,' Lazzara said. 'We're quite proud of it.'

The yacht features a fly-by-wire system that is operated using a joystick. It can move forward, backward and sideways, making docking easier, Lazzara said.

'These kids that play video games all day can probably operate the yacht better than the actual captains,' he said.

The yacht also has four Volvo diesel engines that are 50 percent more fuel-efficient than the typical two-engine drive system, Lazzara said.

Other innovations on the yacht include an articulated glass helm station, stern windows that electronically go from tint to clear to allow natural light in the engine room, electronically tinted windows in the amidships hallway that allows guests privacy or a view through the center of the yacht and a lower galley with dining.

'At night the boat lights up fluorescent blue,' he said.

Lazzara has built 12 LSX Quad 75s and has delivered seven of them. The yacht was created in November.

'We've traveled all over the world with this boat,' he said.

Last year, the Lazzara 84 motor yacht won a World Yachts trophy for best in class.

Day Care Offers Camp For Dogs

Dog owners and parents now might have to make another stop on the way to work.

Dawg Days On The Bay, 2105 W. Green St., has opened, offering all-day dog day care in a camp setting, owner Raymond Dickson said.

Owners can drop their dogs off in the morning and pick them up on the way home from work. In the meantime, the dogs get to roam free at the camp, Dickson said.

'It's more fun for them this way,' he said. 'We don't do any caging. We do have some dog condos.'

The property has an 850-square-foot indoor area for dogs to play in and a 2,500-square-foot outdoor area.

The center can fit up to 25 dogs at a time.

'This is something we've been researching for two years,' Dickson said. 'Dogs are a personal love of mine.'

The business caters only to dogs less than 100 pounds and no other pets are allowed.

Dickson said the first day is free and it costs $22 a day for each subsequent day.

'It's exactly like child day care,' Dickson said.

The center is open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. For information, call (813) 343-8020.

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

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