THINK OUTSIDE THE BIG BOX

If you're not looking forward to jockeying for elbow room at a big-box retailer, or you're looking for something other than online gift certificates to get your loved ones for the holidays, these Pasco County businesses may have ideas for you.

Especially if you like food. Or wine.

These businesses aren't Fortune 500 companies, and they may not purchase advertising time on television. But they are local. And one of them has been around since airplanes were little more than a curiosity.

Florida Estates Winery

A slice of Napa Valley in the flat terrain of central Pasco?

Kind of. The winery off State Road 52, about four miles west of Interstate 75, features a wine and gift store on a 3,600-acre plantation.

Florida Estates produces a variety of wines, including Plantation Spice, Florida Orange and Key Lime, and operates a vineyard on the sprawling property.

The winery was opened in December 2001 by owners J. Crayton Pruitt, a St. Petersburg vascular surgeon, and winemaker Earl Kiser. Purchases can be made online or at the store.

For information, call (813) 996-2113 or visit www.floridaestateswines.com.

Kumquat Growers Inc.

Arguably Pasco's most famous fruit, the kumquat has been transformed into butter, marmalade, marinade, salad dressing, barbecue sauce and other items by the Gude family since 1912.

Besides growing, packing and selling kumquats, brothers Frank and Greg Gude offer trolley tours of the family's groves.

Boxes of kumquats, gift boxes and individual items can be purchased online or at the business at 31647 Gude Road, about five miles west of Dade City. For information, call (352) 588-0544 or visit www.kumquatgrowers .com.

Pasco Honey

A staple in northeast Pasco since the 1950s, Alwyn Purkis' business has been passed on to son Barry Purkis in recent years, but the locally made honey with the honor system sales concept still has customers buzzing.

From a stand near their honey-producing barn, the Purkises peddle palmetto, gallberry and orange blossom honey on a good-faith basis. People leave their money and take home a gallon, quart or pint. If they need help, customers can blow their horns.

The business is on Honey Lane off Trilby Road north of County Road 54. Turn into the driveway by the Pasco Honey sign.

For information, call Barry Purkis at (352) 567-1916.

Poplicious Gourmet Popcorn

Established this year, the business produces a multitude of flavored popcorn - from Almond Buscotti to Toffee Delight to sugar-free - at its location in the Grand Oaks Plaza shopping plaza off County Road 54 (Wesley Chapel Boulevard) in Wesley Chapel, just west of Interstate 75.

Owner George Williams runs the company with her sons, Simeon and Asa Williams. Poplicious can make gift baskets and tins, and accommodate special orders for parties and catered events. Purchases can be made online or at the store.

For information, visit www.popliciousstore.com or call (813) 973-4848.