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Tarpon Downtown Business Rebounding

Mark Schantz/SUNCOAST NEWS

Deanna Dunbar plans to add wellness and nightlife to downtown Tarpon Springs, reopening The Zone on Tarpon Avenue.

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: November 10, 2007

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - Could this be the start of something big?

Yes, says Sue Thomas, interim Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce president, who is predicting the arrival or imminent opening of six businesses, with promises of more to come, signals the start of a downtown renaissance.

Even better, she says, more businesses could be on the way, judging from the number of downtown buildings undergoing renovations.

The newly arrived businesses are diverse, adding variety to the arts and antiques district on Tarpon Avenue. In addition, various restaurants are promising to spark the nightlife that downtown has needed for years.

A good mix of restaurants is the economic engine that created success in downtown Dunedin and most recently in the Old Palm Harbor Main Street historical district, Thomas explained.

People who dine in the downtown Tarpon restaurants at night will remember the shops they see and return by day to patronize them, Thomas said.

The restaurants and shops are opening at a good time, the start of the holiday and tourist season, Thomas said.

Deanna Dunbar, a local real estate agent who recently reopened The Zone, is creating two reasons to come downtown.

Dunbar is transforming a 113-year-old historic building on Tarpon Avenue. It will be a wellness center by day and then at 4 p.m. it will transform into a nightclub offering an eclectic mix of music and a full-liquor bar.

The Zone's music calendar will feature a variety, from classic rock and jazz to blues and other forms of adult contemporary offerings.

During the day The Zone wellness center will offer yoga, massage therapy, tai chi, biofeedback and similar classes that help people relax or remain limber.

Simeone Chiacchio, originally from Naples, Italy, said he will open Manzoni's Italian Ristorante, at the corner of Tarpon and Safford avenues, in December.

The restaurant is named for 19th century Italian novelist and poet Alessandro Manzoni. Chiacchio loves the historic charm of downtown and named the restaurant, which includes outdoor dining, after the favorite Italian Romantic Era novelist to inspire the feeling of his native city.

"The more restaurants downtown the better because each will bring customers downtown, especially at night," the restaurateur said. "We will all help each other."

Chiacchio plans a lunch and dinner restaurant offering specialty Italian dishes.

Mugglers Celtic Coffee, recently opened by Kathleen Waller, is an Internet cafe that offers a chance to relax on couches and chat while downing some fine coffees and teas from breakfast into the evening.

Mugglers is on Safford Avenue, just north of Tarpon Avenue.

Waller's friend Gail Turner recently opened Oceans, a Florida-style restaurant, next door to Mugglers.

One new business promising to add diversity downtown is Spongebath.

At Spongebath, a creative bath boutique strategically located on the corner of Tarpon Avenue and Alt. 19, customers can mix their own lotions, body gels and skin- care products. Glitter is available for that extra touch.

"We have over 160 scents shoppers can choose from," Elizabeth Willey, the owner of Spongebath, said.

Thomas, the Chamber of Commerce leader, said the addition of shops such as Spongebath, which offer products or services not seen elsewhere downtown is important because it gives visitors different reasons to visit the retailing district.

In recent years, downtown Tarpon Springs has been known for the antique stores there.

Another newly opened shop adding to downtown retailing diversity is Blush, on Tarpon Avenue just east of Safford Avenue. Its owner, Lisa Schauer, is an interior designer who creates items from vintage clothing to furnishings.

Schauer said she likes to see different merchants and restaurants coming downtown. Things are slow to change in Tarpon Springs, but small changes are sometimes good to rejuvenate an area, she said.

According to Thomas, new businesses must have enough capital to survive tough times and, most importantly, a good business and marketing plan.

"Tarpon Avenue is looking good," Thomas said. "The few empty shops are being remodeled with promises of bringing in more new businesses soon."

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