Clearwater, FL ( April 1, 2009) - For the last few months, I’ve been experiencing quite a different real estate market than the prior 18 months. Buyers are back, and THAT makes all the difference in the world. In the last three months, I’ve got almost as many properties under contract already as I sold for the entire year in 2008!
This is the very best time to buy – prices are as low as they are probably going to go, and interest rates are also very low. The selection is amazing, and I really think this is an opportunity to jump on.
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Tampa Bay Rays Senior Advisor Dick Crippen (left), Stonebridge Real Estate's Broker-Owner, Brian Andrus (center), and FGCAR President Scott Clendening (right). |
On March 24, 2009 the Florida Gulfcoast Commercial Association of Realtors (FGCAR) held a very successful event in Tampa which recognized the Top Producers and Deals of the Year for commercial real estate in six major categories: Industrial, Investment, Land, Office, Retail and General Brokerage. Realtors from the central western part of Florida had submitted their volume of production as well as evidence of their uniqueness of deals that exemplified hard work and dedication to client service. These were then judged by their peers.
Eco-Friendly “Adornable” Boutique
Nestled in a cozy shop on Laura Street, just next door to Intuition Salon and Spa, lies the WareHaus Boutique. It is positively one of the most “adornable” new boutiques to crop up recently in Downtown Clearwater. Offering “treasured objects and wearable art”, the store specializes in unique vintage pieces and locally-designed clothing, jewelry, handbags and scarves. Browsing the store one is sure to find one-of-a-kind pieces, hand made with care.
WareHaus Boutique was founded by Renee Cornish and Geri Aranjo in November of 2008, as a place for local artists and designers to display and sell their wares. “My purpose behind it was to provide a real artists’ outlet. There are so many artists and fashion designers around and we know it’s hard to really get out there and have that first step up,” says Renee.
Peter Gillham’s Nutrition Center - 30 Years of Dedication to Downtown Clearwater
Clearwater, FL (March 2009) - Thirty years ago, Peter Gillham opened up his first nutrition center in downtown Clearwater in the old Gray Moss Inn. Downtown has gone through many changes since that time and so has Peter Gillham’s store. The location might have changed (alas, the Gray Moss is no more) but the same dedication to the community persists yet today. Recently, the company held a Grand Opening for the newly-created PG’s Café which brings an Organic Juice Bar to the downtown area for the first time.
The hottest new place to go in downtown is PG’s Café! This natural and organic juice bar features freshly-made juices and smoothies with only top quality organic ingredients. There are also build-it-yourself salads where customers can take advantage of organic produce and toppings to make the healthy yet tasteful meal of their choice. I am told that the homemade dressings are completely yummy.
Slow Cookin’…
That’s the Ticket
Downtown Clearwater, FL (March 2009) - “His BBQ. It’s that good” is Jill Gutterman’s immediate response when asked why she and husband Ajay decided to open up their restaurant “Smokin’ Out”. “We found that we had a good product and we wanted to give it a shot,” adds Ajay, humbly. “We were tired of working for other people. It was kind of a shot in the dark and it worked.”
Since their grand opening in December, business has been going well for them. “Lunches are really good,” says Jill. “Lunches are usually full. We fill up the place” adds Ajay. “Our lunch special is the pork sandwich or the chicken sandwich. It’s a sandwich, chips and a drink for $5.49. We offer that through the week. It’s cheap, it’s inexpensive, and it’s fast, friendly service.” Their goal is to get you in and out at lunch while giving you a good meal.