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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com

Published: December 10, 2008

PALMA CEIA - Despite the economic recession, or perhaps in spite of it, the merchants of Palma Ceia are banding together.

Officially organized in August, the Palma Ceia Business and Design District held a grand opening Sunday to introduce the community to the new association.

"Let's face it, with this economy the way it is now, we need people to shop local, buy local," said Sheila Awad, district president and owner of Four Elements. "If they shop at bigger places, we can't survive."

Awad, of Palma Ceia, opened Four Elements on MacDill Avenue in March 2007. It was about a year later that she began talking with landscape architect Eric Rahenkamp about organizing the businesses to increase communication, networking and marketing for the area.

Then into her store walked Jennifer Davidson, a graphic designer and owner of i2i-creative, who said many of her Palma Ceia clients felt the same way.

By August, the Palma Ceia Business and Design District was a registered merchant association with about 55 members. The members' goals include spreading word about the business district, offering community events, adding public art and a fountain to the area, as well as crosswalks and decorative lighting.

"There is a lot of potential here," said Davidson, marketing and design chairwoman and Webmaster. "I think people have forgotten about this area. We're re-introducing it."

The boundaries are MacDill Avenue south of the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club to Wallcraft Avenue, and Bay to Bay Boulevard from Bayshore Boulevard to Manhattan Avenue.

"Palma Ceia can be that eclectic, boutique place to go," said Awad, also a professional organizer.

Shannon Edge, director of the city's Neighborhoods and Community Relations office, said the business district is creating identity for the area.

"It helps fuel that community pride," Edge said. "Celebrate what's in your backyard whether it's a park or a bakery. People zip down MacDill and don't realize the gem they are passing by."

City Councilman John Dingfelder said the district is setting a good example for the rest of the city.

"I'm really excited not only that this association is getting started, but with a little nurturing from the city, it can be a prototype, a model for other business associations around the city," Dingfelder said.

BECOME A MEMBER

WHAT: Palma Ceia Business and Design District

HOW: $50 annual membership dues for any business or property owner within the boundaries of MacDill Avenue south of the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club to Wallcraft Avenue, and Bay to Bay Boulevard from Bayshore Boulevard to Manhattan Avenue
CONTACT: Jennifer Davidson at (813) 293-3823, e-mail jenni fer@i2i-creative.com or go to www.palmaceiadistrict.com.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661.

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