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New businesses test market

Tribune photo by JOSE PATINO GIRONA

Laurie Elliott has brought together interior designers and collectors who dabble in antiques to open MarketPlace Interiors.

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK and JOSE PATINO GIRONA

jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com jpatino@tampatrib.com

Published: July 8, 2009

TAMPA - Abeer Abdulhade was tired of having to drive from her job at CENTCOM at MacDill Air Force Base to find halal meat in groceries stores in east Tampa.

So Abdulhade, a Muslim, decided to open a store herself, Bethlehem Market, 4323 Kennedy Blvd., offering kosher and halal meats, specially ground Turkish coffee and olive wood artwork and religious figures imported from Bethlehem.

"If this store serves our little community, it will be good," said Abdulhade, who lives in the West Shore area.

Abdulhade is an Arabic media analyst and is earning her bachelor's degree in information technology. Her brother-in-law, Omar Maghrabi, will help run the store, which is a family effort.

Abdulhade is a U.S. Army Reserve sergeant who has served in Iraq. Born and raised in Kuwait, her family moved to Tampa after the first Gulf War.

"I'm trying to get everything done that I couldn't do in the Middle East," said Abdulhade, 41.

The market, which is set to open this week, will operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. To contact the store, call (813) 287-5758.

Store offers interior variety

Laurie Elliott has brought together interior designers and collectors who dabble in antiques to open MarketPlace Interiors, an eclectic store that opened in June with vintage and new furniture, lighting, lamps, chandeliers and Florida art.

In the 2,000-square-foot business at 301 N. Willow Ave., Elliott has 17 spaces where interior designers and collectors each have a section to sell items. Elliott is the owner and runs the business. The designers and collectors control what they sell and the design of their space.

"It's like having 17 shops under one roof, so you see a lot," Elliott said.

She said people can get ideas of styles favored by interior designers without having to hire one.

"I think it's an interesting option for the public," Elliott said.

Elliott has lived in Birmingham, Ala., and Atlanta, where she has seen similar shops. Atlanta has The Stalls in the trendy neighborhood of Buckhead, which influenced her shop, she said.

Inside Elliott's store there are paintings from Florida artists that an art consultant plans to change regularly. There are lamps, chandeliers and dining tables, including one wood table with a Lazy Susan.

There is an Indian water urn that is 80 to 100 years old and sells for $980. And there is a 19th-century mahogany commode on sale for $450.

Elliott, who used to be partner in the South Tampa home furnishing store Magnolia, said she enjoys the retail business.

"I think it is a perfect business model given the time," Elliott said.

MarketPlace Interiors is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday. Beginning Sept. 1 it will open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For information, call (813) 251-3555 or e-mail laurie@ marketplace-interiors.com.

Italian restaurant opens

Luigi's Italian Restaurant is the new neighbor to Rouen Thai in a strip center on West Gandy Boulevard. Opened July 3, Luigi's fills space formerly occupied by Indochinois.

General manager James Vuong said the restaurant was started by three silent partners who own businesses in California and Tampa. Vuong, who recently moved from California, said he is smitten with Tampa and is excited to be running the restaurant.

"I love the design in here," said Vuong of the upscale interior, which mirrors the food he describes as "very classic Italian with a twist of the contemporary."

Pasta options start around $11 for penne rosa maria, which is penne pasta with Italian bacon, chopped fresh tomatoes, basil, marinara sauce and a touch of cream.

Entrees are served with pasta and a vegetable and start at $11 for eggplant parmesan. Panini's are offered for lunch starting at about $7.

For the first three weeks of operation, Vuong said, the restaurant is offering 20 percent off all prices listed on the menu.

"Our atmosphere is friendly and welcoming and our price is competitive."

Luigi's, 3324 W. Gandy Blvd, is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m.; and Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m. Takeout is available. To contact, call (813) 835-5885.

Cupcake shop features frostings

For Sharon Tabasco, it's all about the toppings.

The champagne cupcake (made with luscious white cake, pink champagne, chunks of pears draped in a light champagne cream cheese frosting) has homemade champagne toffee candy and edible flowers on it.

The s'mores cupcake has hand-toasted marshmallows. The Cosmopolitan is topped with vodka-soaked cranberries. There's even a chocolate cupcake made with Guinness beer and ganache.

"It's a challenge, but I take pride in it," said Tabasco, 50. "Every time I come up with a cupcake, the topping has to be just as good and esthetic to the eye. It's fun."

Tabasco and fiance Joe Barbato, 50, opened Frostings etc... in June at 500 S. Howard Ave. in the same plaza at the Pita Pit. They both had been working in real estate when the market crashed. Before then, Tabasco used her background in the culinary arts in casino kitchens in New Jersey.

Then the economy turned. After nine months of research, sparked by a light bulb moment while watching an episode of Throwdown with Bobby Flay, she decided to marry her culinary and creative sides ("I could make a chandelier out of beater. I'm crafty," Tabasco said.)

"I won't put anything out there that isn't 100 percent me," Tabasco said, spending hours in the kitchen getting the recipe just right.

"It's labor intensive," Barbato said. "And Sharon's frosting is whipped, mousse-type frosting. There is no recipe for it. Without her, I'm dead because you can't duplicate her frostings."

Cupcakes range from $2.75 to $3.25. They offer vegan, gluten-free and organic cupcakes by request.

The store sells coffee and other beverages in its small cafe. Stores hours are still being refined but are about 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

To contact, call (813) 443-5047, (813) 833-2949 or go to www.frostingsetc

.com.

Crocs wanted for charity

Tom Berry went to Tanzania three years ago and can't get it out of his head.

As part of a mission trip with the downtown First Presbyterian Church, Berry was touched by the people he met including local children who lost their parents to the AIDS virus.

The owner of The Maids Home Services on Kennedy Boulevard, Berry is collecting Crocs shoes that he will donate to the philanthropic division of Crocs called SolesUnited, which recycles the donated shoes to make new ones and then donates them to impoverished people around the world.

Berry's donation will result in a direct donation to the community in Arusha, Tanzania, where his church regularly sends its members on mission trips.

Donations may be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at The Maids Home Services, 3636 W. Kennedy Blvd.

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

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