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Commons Celebrates Uncommon Grand Opening

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By ELIZABETH LEE BROWN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 26, 2007

LUTZ - Six months after the first tenants opened their doors, businesses at Van Dyke Commons are recognizing the new shopping center with a grand opening celebration on Saturday.

Organizers of 'A Taste of Van Dyke Commons' said the belated party is a chance to introduce residents to the businesses.

The sidewalk sale, from noon to 5 p.m., includes free food samples from restaurants, a petting zoo, a bounce house, stilt walkers and clowns. Shoppers may tour the L.A. Fitness workout facility, watch sewing demonstrations, receive free massages, or get a how-to lesson at the meal assembly Book It N Cook It store.

The strip center has 190,000 square feet of retail stores at the southeast corner of North Dale Mabry Highway and Van Dyke Road.

Sandra Connolly, a public relations consultant, said a couple of the business owners approached her to organize the event.

Connolly said the mix of 22 stores offers a one-stop shopping experience.

There will be drawings for store gift certificates worth $5,000, she said.

The retail center's anchor stores feature memberships at L.A. Fitness, golf and tennis equipment at Golfsmith, and home furnishings at Home Goods.

The smaller businesses include scrapbooking supplies at Scrap and Sew, tanning at Planet Beach, facials at Nu Image MedSpa, haircuts at Fantastic Sams, gourmet ice cream at The Junction Ice Creamery and Coffee House, prepared meals at Book It N Cook It, and teeth cleanings at Dental Care of Van Dyke.

Eateries include Mexican, Chinese and Italian sit-down restaurants, as well as burger places such as Uncle Burly's Backyard Grill and Jake's Hamburgers.

Reporter Elizabeth Lee Brown can be reached at (813) 865-1502 or ebrown@tampatrib.com.

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