TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Doors Are Open At New Chamber Office

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARK HOLAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2008

TAMPA - The South Tampa Chamber of Commerce has moved into new offices at 3715 W. Horatio St.

Executive director Judy Y. Gay calls it the first "open door, community office" for the 82-year-old organization.

The office eventually will offer brochures and other information about businesses and chamber scholarships, programs and events.

"We are looking forward to having a place where people can come and get community information," Gay said.

She expects to keep the office open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays once an assistant is in place. Until then, visitors should call Gay at (813) 637-0156 before dropping by.

Rock N' Sports Rolls Into Centro

Rock N' Sports Bar & Grill has relocated about a half block to the Centro Ybor complex, 1600 E. Eighth Ave.

Co-owners Franja Eastling and Dean Del Riccio opened Rock N' Sports in June 2005. The new location is the former Barleyhoppers, above the Starbucks in Centro.

The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, with a late-night menu until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. With more than 6,000 square feet, the restaurant can accommodate meetings and other special events.

"We want to bring more excitement and a new clientele to Centro that hasn't been here before," Eastling said in a prepared statement.

According to the statement, GRA-FX, an interactive media company specializing in print, graphic and Web site design, will move to Centro from Ybor Square in March.
Cats And Dogs Reign At Store
Pampered pooches have a new store to walk the owners to: Hyde Barks.

The boutique, which opened at 935 1/2 S. Howard Ave. this month, offers an array of toys, collars, beds and bowls for dogs and cats.

And just in time for Gasparilla: pirate-themed dog apparel.

Owner Maria Snider said the store carries only natural food from such labels as Solid Gold, Orijen, Wellness and Innova. She also sells the foods at her other store, Barks by the Bay, 1732 S. Dale Mabry Highway.

"We will be offering grooming for small breeds in the near future," Snider said.

The store is open from about 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily as Snider gauges business in the neighborhood.

"I like the fact you get a lot of walk-by traffic, people walking their dogs," she said.

One or more of Snider's dogs keep her company behind the counter.

For information, call (813) 251-0200.

Local Man's DVD Offers Parents Tips

Bayshore Beautiful resident Don Murray says he's ready to go national with his DVD, "20 Minutes to Effective Parenting: Communication Skills."

Murray, 45, released the instructional DVD last spring. It's based on his experiences with his developmentally delayed son, Mark, 5, whom he adopted in 2003 from the Ukraine.

"It's picking up steam; we've sold about 100 to date," said Murray, a technical manager for Oracle Corp. "The ultimate goal is be on 'Oprah' or on the shelves at Borders."

Murray teamed with University of South Florida clinical child psychologist Kathleen Armstrong to create 10 techniques highlighted in the DVD.

The DVD is available for $19.95 through Murray's Web site, www.milestones4 life.com, or at Learning Express of South Tampa, 800 S. Village Circle, in Hyde Park Village, and Giggle Box Couture, 3211 W. Bay to Bay Blvd.

Opening a business? Expanding or relocating? Contact reporter Mark Holan at mholan@tampa trib.com or (813) 835-2102.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT