Palma Ceia Design District Planned

PALMA CEIA - Small business and boutique owners are organizing what they call the Palma Ceia Design District.

"We want to improve the area aesthetically," said Sheila Awad, co-owner of Four Elements ceramics shop, 2406 S. MacDill Ave. "There's no reason why we can't make this more of a destination."

The district boundaries are along MacDill between Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club and Academy of the Holy Names, and on Bay to Bay Boulevard between Bayshore Boulevard and Dale Mabry Highway.

Sixteen business owners launched the effort during a meeting last week at the country club. They plan to organize as a nonprofit group to undertake marketing campaigns and monitor city projects in the area.

"We want to get as many people involved as possible," Awad said. The main focus is helping business owners, but "we want the neighborhood to benefit as well."

The group's next meeting is at 9 a.m. April 30 at Tom Furniture Showroom, 2507 S. MacDill Ave. For information, call Awad at (813) 835-4444 or Eric Rahenkamp at (813) 835-4022.

New Business Welds Ornamental Metal

Sheila Fafrak and Scott Stone have opened an ornamental welding business at 5025 Bayshore Blvd.

It's called SOS, for Sheila or Scott.

The couple (Stone says they plan to marry once the business is stable) started the mobile welding service from their Seminole Heights home about eight months ago. They moved into the small storefront next to Chubby's Super Subs and Pizza last week.

"It's a new stage for us," Stone said. "One of the main reasons we came to this Ballast Point neighborhood is because of the amount of ornamental iron here."

He also repairs boat trailers.

The couple want to expand their business by building decorative wedding arches, priced from $120 to nearly $1,000.

"You'll never find one like we can build," Stone said. "People can draw something, and we will make it to their liking."

They also create Kokopelli figures for yards and gardens. The dancing, flute-playing character is said to come from American Indian lore and is believed to represent fertility and good fortune.

Call (813) 850-2045 for hours and other information.

Partners Switch Roles With Antique Shop

Paul Londeree was the full-time owner of Crow's Nest Antiques on South MacDill Avenue until he closed the store this year.

Jeff Surrena was a part-time dealer in the shop.

Now they have switched roles in a new venture called Past Perfect of Tampa, which opened at 2301 S. MacDill Ave. in early February.

"This is quite a lot of extra space," Londeree said. "We have gobs and gobs of stuff that was in storage."

The store specializes in vintage chandeliers, Oriental porcelain and furniture from the 1890s to the 1930s.

Jan Miller and Charlsie Shine also display more than 300 pieces of costume jewelry - "One of the best collections you'll find in the U.S.," Londeree said.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call (813) 832-500 or visit www.tampasbestantiques .com.

Kennedy Investments At New Location

Kennedy Investments moved last week to 3410 Henderson Blvd., Suite 200, from 2910 W. Bay to Bay Blvd.

The real estate company's new telephone number is (813) 554-1200.