Bay Magazine April 2022

A MAGAZINE OF THE TAMPA BAY TIMES

APRIL 2022

NATURAL BEAUTIES

SMITH IS HOME YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD EXPERTS SINCE 1969

ALTURA BAYSHORE Starting at $1.6M | 2,176-3,575 SF Altura Sales Team 813.492.2420 AlturaBayshore.com

SNELL ISLE 401 Coffee Pot Riviera NE 5 Bed | 4/1 Bath | 5,378 SF | $3,499,000 Dina Sierra Smith 813.760.6354

BEACH PARK 4214 W Azeele Street 4 Bed | 4/1 Bath | 4,972 SF | Pre-Construction | $3,174,000 Mary Pond & Ed Gunning 813.294.8867

PENDING

VENETIAN ISLES 1915 Carolina Avenue NE 5 Bed | 5/1 Bath | 5,026 SF | $4,995,000 Malowany Group 727.593.4699

BAYSHORE BEAUTIFUL 2906 W Hawthorne Road 5 Bed | 5 Bath | 4,710 SF | $2,750,000 Mary Kelly 813.695.0163

SUNSET BEACH - MANSIONS BY THE SEA 7650 Bayshore Drive #1105 & #1106 3 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,940 SF | Gulf/Oceanfront | $2,900,000 Debbie Momberg & Lee Stratton 727.560.1571

PENDING

CLEARWATER 428 Lotus Path 3 Bed | 2/1 Bath | 2,755 SF | $1,000,000 Christine Knighton 727.992.3077

PENDRY RESIDENCES TAMPA Starting from $1Ms | 1,379-3,218 SF The Pendry Sales Team 813.930.8800 PendryResidencesTampa.com

THE RESIDENCES AT ORANGE STATION Starting from $700s | 1,210-2,542 SF Orange Station Sales Team 727.235.7125 OrangeStationStPete.com

PARKLAND ESTATES 2807 W Parkland Boulevard 5 Bed | 6 Bath | 7,906 SF | $5,000,000 Leslie Minder & Mary Beth Byrd 813.335.5555

WESTCHASE 11803 Middlebury Drive 4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,722 SF | $899,000 The Wood Team 813.957.3941

BEACH PARK 5213 W Neptune Way 5 Bed | 4/1 Bath | 5,630 SF | $6,250,000 Melanie Atkinson 813.368.6084

THE NOLEN Starting at $1.9M | 2,156-3,341 SF The Nolen Sales Team 727.349.1100 TheNolenStPete.com

GOLF VIEW 3410 W Mullen Avenue 5 Bed | 6/1 Bath | 6,814 SF | Pre-Construction | $4,995,000 Mary Pond & Ed Gunning 813.690.7902

LOCAL ♥ GLOBAL REACH TAMPA | ST. PETERSBURG | CLEARWATER | BEACHES | LONDON | 813.981.7270 | SMITHORANGE.COM/TAMPABAY

Our Global Partners

APRIL ISSU E

12 FASHION

Spring forward with colorful looks that capture the spirit of the season.

A GARDEN TREASURE FROM BAY EDITOR SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN One of the things I love best about the Tampa Bay area is how I’m constantly discovering “new” places. A case in point: the Florida Botanical Gardens.

In all my years in the area, I managed to miss this gem of an attraction just off Ulmerton Road in Largo. Boardwalks and foot paths wind through 150 acres of native trees, plants, ponds and flowers that now are at their glorious peak. As such, it was a perfect backdrop for our April fashion shoot.

The gardens, opened in 2000 and maintained

by Pinellas County, are actually many gardens: a palm garden, a succulents garden, a topiary garden, a butterfly garden and the lovely wedding garden that is a popular spot for nuptials.

Construction will begin soon on the $2.6 million Majeed Discovery Garden on McKay Creek, where kids can learn how to grow plants, see the role of birds, butterflies and bees in nature, work an old-fashioned hand pump and walk across a bamboo bridge.

The gardens subtly instruct in many ways, with identifying signs on trees and plants and tips on how to create a sustainable lawn and protect our fragile environment. There’s also a cute gift shop with snacks and books on gardening and birdwatching. And because the gardens are free, accessible, pet-friendly and open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., I can’t think of a better place to spend part of a pleasant spring day.

Contact Susan Taylor Martin at smartin@tampabay. com.

4 / bay

42 WHEELS

Americans are increasingly hitting the road in luxury recreational vehicles that won’t leave them longing for home.

50 SOCIAL SCENE 38 FOOD ▼ 28 SHOPPING ▲

Kick back and relax with a variety of dreamy products during an in-home spa session, no appointment needed.

24 FACES

We catch up with Alsace Walentine, who opened Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg shortly before the pandemic shutdown.

32 TRAVEL

The “Horse Capital of the World” lives up to its name with the new World Equestrian Center and the Equestrian Hotel in Ocala.

Basque Burnt Cheesecake, which has a caramelized top and an ultra-creamy inside, is making the rounds at local restaurants.

Since 1955, Ward’s Seafood has provided locals & visitors with fresh seafood caught daily by our fisherman. We also source seafood from up north and around the world. Come visit us 7 days a week where it’s always fresh and friendly.

Clearwater, FL • (727) 581- 2640 • WardsSeafood.com

R E / M A X

M E T R O

FEAT U RE D P R O P E RT I E S P R E SE N T ED BY THE

LUXE LIST OF RE/MAX METRO

Kathryn Krayer Zimring 727.430.5010 thezrealtor@ gmail.com

Ned Hands

Sandy Bozeman

727.239.5650 ned@handson realtors.com

727.459.4142 sandywbozeman@ gmail.com

Michelle Cline 727.424.1108 mc@mcline7.com

J. David Vann

Estelia Mesimer

Al Bennati

727.510.0265 vannteam@ gmail.com

727.686.2859 esteliammesimer@ gmail.com

813.309.2400 al@bennatisbest.com

Jane McCroary

Hellen Driggers

Julie Jones

727.348.3888 janegulfbeaches@ gmail.com

727.698.1047 hdriggers@ bayfrontlife.com

727.452.8663 realtorjuliejones@ gmail.com

Capt. Bruce Erbeck 727.417.4694 captainbruce2015@ gmail.com

Tina Herrell 727.251.6630 tina@ tinamoveshouses.com

150 SECOND AVE. N., STE 100 ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33701

ST. PETERSBURG

TREASURE ISLAND

TIERRA VERDE

727.896.1800

727.397.1800

727.867.3100

Each office is independently owned and operated.

SOLD

SOLD

SARASOTA SUNSET BEAUTY 4BR | 4BA | 3,659 SF LAST OFFERED AT $4,400,000

DOWNTOWN BEACH DRIVE CONDO 2BR | 2BA | 2,500 SF | 1PS LAST OFFERED AT $2,239,000

Sarasota 4BR/4BA condominium at The Ritz-Carlton tower residence. Long amazing sunset views of Sarasota Bay, beaches and the Gulf with a level of service only provided by Ritz-Carlton. 12-ft coffered ceilings, very updated! SOLD BY THE VANN TEAM

Amazing panoramic views of the waterfront from this 18th-floor Florencia residence. Large master bedroom and the second bedroom is being used as an office and state-of-the-art movie theater at night, or a bedroom for guests. Wood cabinets, granite countertops, marble floors throughout and two terraces to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets. 24-hour concierge, 3rd-floor amenity deck with swimming pool, spa, fitness room and more.

J. David Vann | vannteam@gmail.com | 727.510.0265 NEW LISTING

Kathryn Krayer Zimring | thezrealtor@gmail.com | 727.430.5010 SOLD

BAYWAY ISLES 5BR | 5.5BA | 3CG OFFERED AT $3,990,000

MARINA BAY TOWNHOME 3BR | 2.5BA | 2,574 SF | 2+CG LAST OFFERED $1,299,000

Designed to embrace the water views of the iconic Skyway Bridge and featuring 5 bedrooms, 5 full and one half baths, this Bahamian colonial-style residence showcases Florida-style casual living at its finest. Dramatic entry, stunning interiors, impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail. 250 feet of seawall. Resort-like pool, cabana, and lush gardens make entertaining and relaxing a delight. New roof; new dock. 3-car garage.

Stunning new-construction townhome built with FORTIFIED Gold Standard construction. Own private elevator with an open floor plan concept. All modern features, high-end appliances and flooring, gas generator, impact windows and doors, solid block construction and a tropical garden view. Huge garage to park multiple cars, boats or use as storage. A gated community with many amenities. Close to downtown St. Pete and Beaches.

Estelia Mesimer | esteliammesimer@gmail.com | 727.686.2859

Kathryn Krayer Zimring | thezrealtor@gmail.com | 727.430.5010

EDITOR Susan Taylor Martin smartin@tampabay.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Nikki Life nlife@tampabay.com

COPY EDITOR Dawn Cate FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER Brian James, brian@brianjamesgallery.com

Bay is published eight times a year by Times Publishing Co. and delivered to Tampa Bay Times subscribers in select neighborhoods in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Celebrating 41 years of Color, Creativity and Culture!

Copyright 2022. Vol. 15, No. 3.

THE TAMPA BAY TIMES CHAIRMAN Paul C. Tash PRESIDENT AND CEO Conan Gallaty EDITOR AND VICE PRESIDENT Mark Katches BAY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Ellen E. Clarke VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING Bruce Faulmann RETAIL SENIOR ADVERTISING MANAGER Mark Shurman National/Major Senior Advertising Manager Kelly Spamer Pinellas Advertising Manager Jennifer Bonin Automotive & Real Estate Advertising Manager Larry West North Suncoast Sales Manager Jessica Petroski

art • glass • jewelry

FULFILLMENT MANAGER Gerald Gifford IMAGING AND PRODUCTION Brian Baracani, Greg Kennicut, Gary Zolg REGIONAL HOME DELIVERY MANAGERS Diann Bates, Rob Jennings

To view the magazine online, visit tampabay.com/bay.

To advertise in Bay magazine, call 800-333-7505.

247 Main Street, Safety Harbor • 727-725-1808 Tues-Fri 9:30-5 • Sat 10-3 VISIT OUR ONLINE SHOP sydentelgalleries.com 8 / bay

CENTURY 21 – The #1 International Brand in Real Estate

Oceanview – Tierra Verde

Located in an exclusive enclave of high-end, multimillion-dollar estates, discover the rare luxury and pampered brilliance of one of Tampa Bay’s iconic and breathtaking masterpieces.

Soaring walls of glass, magnificent and uncompromising indoor/outdoor living spaces. 7 bedrooms, 8.2 baths and 15,000 total sqft (MOL) under roof.

Offered for $9,990,000.

Bahama Shores – St. Petersburg

Step onto the grounds of this spectacular and luxurious 5-bedroom, 5½-bath coastal Mediterranean estate with 7,158 sqft of living area and take in its majestic ambience and dramatic sweeping views of Tampa Bay. Towering 24 ft-high ceilings, superb custom finishes, commercial kitchen and so much more.

Offered for $4,495,000.

PENDING SALE

Capri Isle – Treasure Island

Brand-new waterfront construction! Completed in 2021, this luxuriously finished 4-bedroom, 3½-bath waterfront estate residence offers an impressive 7,410 sqft under roof and a huge 6-car garage. 14 ft-high ceilings, incredible elevated infinity pool, 20,000 lb boat lift and a wide 84 ft of water frontage. Just 5 minutes to the Gulf by boat. Offered for $4,000,000.

Tides Beach Club – North Redington Beach

Rarely available! This wellappointed 3-bedroom, 3-bath, 2,227 sqft residence offers scintillating direct views of the Gulf of Mexico. Spectacular clubhouse, fitness center, game area, reading room, functions room, massive beachfront pool, hot tub and miles of pristine white sand beach.

Offered for $1,849,000.

The Dania Difference – The Professional Difference – The Real Difference in Real Estate CENTURY21 JIM WHITE & ASSOCIATES

Dania Perry

THE #1 CENTURY 21 AGENT IN THE WORLD FOR THE 9th TIME! Dania Sold $185M+ in Luxury and Waterfront Real Estate in 2021 and More Than $1.25 Billion Throughout Tampa Bay!

SAMPLE OF DANIA’S RECENT 2022 SALES ACTIVITY S O L D BY D A N I A

PENDING SALE

Causeway Boulevard – St. Petersburg

S O L D BY D A N I A

Howard Estates – Belleair Beach

Sunset Beach – Treasure Island

Luxurious 5-bedroom, 4½-bath, 5,245 sqft pool home with stunning open water views and deep water boat lift.

Offered for $3,695,000.

3-bedroom, 2-bath, 2,315 sqft pool home with beautiful open water views of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Offered for $2,650,000.

4-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,316 sqft beachfront home with large swimming pool.

Offered for $2,400,000.

S O L D BY D A N I A

S O L D BY D A N I A

PENDING SALE

Isle of Palms – Treasure Island

3-bedroom, 3½-bath, 2,819 sqft open water home with stunning panoramic views.

Offered for $2,150,000.

Johns Pass – Madeira Beach

4-bedroom, 3-bath, 3,481 sqft pool home located directly on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Offered for $2,150,000.

Bellevue Estates – Belleair Beach

4-bedroom, 2½-bath, 2,781 sqft waterfront pool home with boat dock, lift and easy Gulf access.

Offered for $2,000,000.

Delivering the Best Luxury Home Sales Results in Tampa Bay!

Dania Perry

Luxury & Waterfront Specialist

727-215-2045

dania.perry@gmail.com • www.DaniaPerry.com

Independently Ranked one of Florida’s 10 Best Real Estate Agents

FA SHION

spring f ling PHOTOS BY BRIAN JAMES Dresses are back, as bright and appealing as a colorful spring garden.

Show some sun-kissed skin as the days grow warmer.

And how cute is a denim jumpsuit paired with sky blue platforms! The Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo provided a lovely setting for these looks.

12 / bay

Alexis Damita ruffle top, $300. Alexis Sorrenti asymmetric ruffle skirt, $345. Neiman Marcus, International Plaza, Tampa. Panacea flower statement drop earrings, $28. Jackie Z Stack Barbie bracelets, $125. Jackie Z Stack single-strand bracelets, $38 each. Jackie Z. Style Co., St. Petersburg. Steve Madden Session espadrille platform wedge sandals, $109. Nordstrom, International Plaza.

bay / 13

14 / bay

ABOVE: Staud Alice corset crop top, $245. Staud Easton cargo jeans, $295. Batssheva floral blouse, $105. Open Edit swirl and pave hoop earrings, $25. Nordstrom. Jackie Z Stack single-strand bracelets, $38 each. Saint Laurent nude brown sunglasses, $420. Jackie Z Style Co. Gianni Bini Lou blue platform dress sandals, $90. Dillard’s, International Plaza.

LEFT: Nanushka Yareli pants, $395. Nanushka Huyen blouse, $445. Neiman Marcus. Messa Caramel wool fedora, $59. Petit Moments Dreaming drop earrings, $30. Marc Jacobs Year of the Tiger tote bag, $325. Schutz Tennis pointed-toe lace-up boot, $188. Nordstrom.

bay / 15

Miss June Emmy dress, $230. Jackie Z Stack Barbie bracelets, $125. Jackie Z Style Co. Gianni Bini Ashtraahh ankle-strap block-heel sandals, $98. Dillard’s. Express purple rhinestone ring, $30. Express, International Plaza. Open Edit cascading petal earrings, $25. Nordstrom.

16 / bay

bay / 17

Joseph Ribkoff leather jacket, $285. Much Et Machete Ziggy dress, $269. Silver, black and white single-strand bracelets, $38 each. Vintage Louis Vuitton monogram leather handbag, $2,999. Jackie Z Style Co. Schutz Vikki ankle-tie sandals, $138. Open Edit twisted hoop earrings, $15. Nordstrom.

18 / bay

CREATIVE TEAM

PHOTOGRAPHY Brian James IG: @brianjamesgallery brianjamesgallery.com

HAIR & MAKEUP Monique McLaughlin IG: @moemakeup moemakeup.com

FASHION STYLING Tina Jackson, lead stylist Style Attic IG: @Tinajstyle tinajstyle.com Zack Yunusah, assistant

MODEL Florence Garcia IG: @missflorencegisselle

FROM THE COVER: Milly multistriped one-shoulder top, $225. Milly multistriped skirt, $325. Jackie Z Stack Barbie bracelets, $125. Jackie Z Stack single-strand bracelets, $38 each. Jackie Z Style Co. Express green lush boyfriend blazer, $128. Express. Open Edit heart cocktail ring, $15. Kurt Geiger multicolor heart earrings, $88. B.P. chain link charm choker necklace, $38. Kurt Geiger Kensington sequins crossbody handbag, $185. Nordstrom. Gianni Bini Taylor square-toe mules, $90. Dillard’s.

bay / 19

HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST

121 20th Avenue NE Manny Baginski

$3,400,000 727.487.4135

BAY POINT | SNELL ISLE 123-125 Bay Point Drive NE Robyn Gunn

OLD SOUTHEAST 1925 Beach Drive SE Cheryl Riley

your home has never been

$2,735,000 727.228.0779

WORTH MORE

DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG

$14,840,000 727.421.7234

555 5th Avenue NE #1302 $9,495,000 Robyn Gunn 727.421.7234

DAVIS ISLANDS

HOMOSASSA

430 West Davis Boulevard $4,100,000 Jill Weinstein 813.205.2999

6850 South Hancock Road $2,975,000 Paul DeSantis & Travis Germain 813.439.4816

Contact us for a confidential consultation PremierSothebysRealty.com

CLEARWATER

OLD NORTHEAST

3025 Oakmont Drive $2,195,000 Jackie Diaz & Karen Hegemeier 813.368.7433

936 17th Avenue NE $2,175,000 Judy Holland & Anja Prusac 727.692.8992

Just Announced NEW PORT RICHEY 5400 Adams Morgan Drive Jose Cardenas Sanchez

$2,295,000 281.827.0223

2022

NO. 16 ranked the

WESTSHORE YACHT CLUB

TREASURE ISLAND

6002 Yeats Manor Drive #101 $750,000 Kathy Ervin 813.244.9708

7600 Bayshore Drive #307 $729,000 Hope Kent 727.685.9093

TOP RE AL ESTATE BROKER AGE IN THE U.S. by 2021 sales volume

ST. PETERSBURG 3009 Dartmouth Avenue North $345,000 Lindi Bock & Jenny Putrino 727.776.7321

View area listings

SOUTHWEST ORLANDO | 407.581.7888 LAKE COUNTY | 352.227.3905

SPRUCE CREEK AND THE BEACHES | 386.761.2172

SOUTHEAST ORLANDO | 407.480.5014

SEMINOLE COUNTY | 407.333.1900

NEW SMYRNA BEACH | 407.644.3295

WINTER PARK | 407.644.3295

Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

Tampa Bay’s leader IN LUXURY WATCHES

Ulysse Nardin Freak

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi

Ulysse Nardin Marine

Bell & Ross Renault H

Ulysse Nardin Deep Diver

Seiko Luxe Prospex

Muhle Glashutte Terrasport

OLD NORTHEAST JEWELERS

F I N E J E W E L R Y & W AT C H E S | B U Y I N G & S E L L I N G S I N C E 19 8 4

St. Petersburg – 1131 4th St. N., St. Pete – 727-896-6656 | Tampa – 1607 W. Swann Ave., Hyde Park – 813.875.3935 | OldNortheastJewelers.com

BUYING | SELLING | TRADING | REPAIRING

FACE S

Alsace Walentine co-owns the independent bookstore Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District. Photo by Martha Asencio-Rhine

24 / bay

PANDEMIC PAGE TURNER T

alk about timing: Tombolo Books had been open just three months when the pandemic shut everything down in March 2020. “It was so devastating because it was really quite fast,” says Alsace Walentine, co-owner of the independent store in

St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District. In 2015, Walentine gave up a career with Asheville’s Malaprop’s Bookstore to move to Florida where her wife, Candice Anderson, had received a job offer. At a time when so many businesses have failed, Tombolo has done surprisingly well, hosting authors and legions of avid readers. Walentine, who runs the store with her wife and several employees, recently spoke with us. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. — Susan Taylor Martin

Why did you decide to open your own store? My wife moved down here in January 2014 and over the course of visiting her I discovered I loved St. Petersburg. There’s a lot of similarity between St. Petersburg and Asheville — a really strong local arts movement, there’s foodies, there’s tourism, there’s natural beauty. And then one terrible rainy day I was here in St. Pete, my wife was called into work and I was really distraught. And I thought, “What do I do to cheer myself up? I go to a bookstore.” That’s the moment I realized I didn’t have that same sense of community here but I had been working for 16 years in all different aspects of running an independent bookstore and it clicked. I knew I could do it.

So it was that easy? I was naive and thought I could pull this off in one year.

That was ridiculous. It took me a solid year after August 2015 to get the business plan written and get my footing here in St. Pete. Then in 2017 we became an LLC and started doing popups and book clubs.

How did you come up with the name? We were literally going through the dictionary looking at words for something meaningful. Tombolo is a geographic term for a type of sandbar that connects an island to the mainland.

A tombolo connects a lone island, and I thought that’s what a really good independent bookstore does, it creates connections to this whole world of ideas and stories, a whole world of authors and other readers.

Was it hard finding a place for the store given how expensive St. Pete has gotten? It took a long time to find a space where I felt like we would have some foot traffic and some parking and could afford the rent. In the meantime, we were raising money. We started with our own personal investment, then we asked family and friends and we offered a couple of different ways to help us.

One was we invited a handful of people to open a prepaid book account. They would basically loan us a certain amount of money and when they came in they would use their store credit. Another was asking folks to loan us a certain amount of money at a low interest rate so we wouldn’t have to go through a bank — we’re already paying these folks back — and then the last thing we did was a crowd-funding campaign that put us right over the top.

Are you happy with the place you landed? I love that there’s a courtyard and other businesses in here (a coffee shop and a juice bar), and the shape of the space inside was perfect.

Then came the pandemic. What did you do? It was a very panicky day but we decided to shut our doors before the city said we had to and we just switched all of our operations online and instituted a delivery system. We decided that in a 2-mile radius around our store I would offer free delivery. We’d get web orders and at the end of the day, I’d get on my bicycle and it was wonderful.

There was no traffic on the road.

What else did you do to survive? We were doing a lot of shipping, of course, and we ordered in many more jigsaw puzzles. That was the craze, which was fun, and we eventually started doing Zoom book clubs, offering a way for people to get together. We hired an event coordinator with technical savvy, which I didn’t have, and she started doing Zoom author events and authors would send us signed bookplates. We had Jack Davis, who won the Pulitzer for The Gulf, and local folks like Lisa Unger.

Have customers been drawn to certain types of books during the pandemic? We sold more of the plague that (first) year. I think it’s really interesting how many authors had books coming out at the very beginning of the pandemic. It had been about 100 years since the Spanish flu so I think a lot of authors were just looking at history. Certainly a lot of people want to escape the pandemic so a lot of shoppers are buying things that have nothing to do with it. We always intended to have a strong Florida nonfiction section because there are so many tourists, but it’s also important to understand your history.

How about all the political books that came out about the Trump presidency? Typically we lose money if we try to bring in books that people are enthusiastic about for 24 hours and that’s it. We’re looking for books with a nice long tail so they can pay the rent on the bookshelf.

Tampa’s Inkwood Books has closed and Haslam’s in St. Petersburg hasn’t reopened since the pandemic. Are you worried about the future of independents like Tombolo? I’m a 100 percent optimist about the future. I have unwavering faith in people’s desire to read physical books and have a place to go and browse a curated selection of physical books.

Tombolo Books, 2153 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. tombolobooks.com. bay / 25

"

" " "

$

' %" % &

&

# # (

## (

WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE SKY, THERE ARE NO LIMITATIONS The Residences at 400 Central is anticipated to be the tallest residential building on the West Coast of Florida and will capture breathtaking unobstructed views from Tampa Bay to the Gulf of Mexico.

A collection of one to four-bedroom luxury residences and select penthouse options will contain floor-to-ceiling windows and glass balconies. Over 35,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor private residential amenities designed by world-renowned architectural firm, Arquitectonica including the private 46th-floor glass-enclosed Sky Lounge Observatory, an expansive resort-style 7th floor pool and spa deck, and indoor and outdoor professional-grade fitness and wellness center.

SCHEDULE YOUR PRIVATE APPOINTMENT

727-209-7848

residences400central.com S A L E S G A L L E RY L O C AT E D AT : 4 6 5 C E N T R A L AV E N U E , S T. P E T E R S B U R G , F L ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. This is not intended to be an offer to sell, or solicitation to buy, condominium units to residents of any jurisdiction where prohibited by law, and your eligibility for purchase will depend upon your state of residency. This offering is made only by the prospectus for the condominium and no statement should be relied upon if not made in the prospectus. The images and artist’s renderings shown here in are conceptual only and are for the convenience of reference. The developer expressly reserves the right to make modifications, revisions, and changes as it deems desirable in its sole and absolute discretion.

SHOPPING Quartz crystals, $80 and $120. Qi Crystal Energy, 3125 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport. Soothing Touch sugar scrub, $7. Goat milk bar soap, $4.50 and up. Palma Ceia Village Health Market, 3225 S MacDill Ave., Tampa.

Succulents in an antique tea cup, $20. The Cottage Art Gallery, 106 Pocono Trail E, Nokomis. thecottageinnokomis.com. Violet Bouquet and Nubian Heritage bar soaps, $9 and up. Palma Ceia Village Health Market, 3225 S MacDill Ave., Tampa.

SPAHH

BY TIM CREAGAN  PHOTOS BY DIRK SHADD

Create an oasis of tranquility at home with bath products, accessories and organic art that evoke a feeling of calm and relaxation. Set the mood with candles and scent. Baby your skin with natural soap and gentle buffers. Wrap yourself in luxury.

Or go all out and transform your entire bathroom.

Skin brushes, $12 and up.

Nubian Heritage body wash and lotion, $12 and up.

Palma Ceia Village Health Market, 3225 S MacDill Ave., Tampa.

28 / bay

Lava pumice stone, $7. Sisal back-scrubbing strap, $8.

KnoYourGlo organic lavender bath bomb, $6. Hippie’s Homemade Candles in oak moss and amber, $18.

Sans Market, 1037 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Bamboo oil diffuser, $44. Sage and organic geranium essential oils, $14 and up. Palma Ceia Village Health Market, 3225 S MacDill Ave., Tampa.

Soap dish, $60. Water glass, $54. Scented candle, $42.

Villa Rosa Distinctive Linens, 3001 S MacDill Ave., Tampa. villarosalinens.com. Goat milk bar soap, $4.50 and up. Palma Ceia Village Health Market, 3225 S MacDill Ave., Tampa.

Satin relaxation mask with lavender and flax seed, $46. Villa Rosa Distinctive Linens, 3001 S MacDill Ave., Tampa. villarosalinens.com.

Cotton robe, $130. Yves Delorme Paris cotton towels, $35 and up. Villa Rosa Distinctive Linens, 3001 S MacDill Ave., Tampa. villarosalinens.com. bay / 29

Customize your Private Office Space and get Inspired.

www.MontKrest.com

O

nl y

5

le ft !

The Pointe on Boca Ciega at Marina Bay

Waterfront penthouse condominiums ...with unparalleled features

With only three units per building – each commanding an entire floor – The Pointe Condominiums ensure the ultimate luxury – privacy. The penthouse-style, 4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom residence offers over 3,800 sq. ft. of living space, and nearly 1,000 sq. ft. of wrap-around terrace overlooking breathtaking panoramic views of Boca Ciega Bay and the Skyway Bridge. Featuring dual master baths, a whole-building gas generator, and a private, oversized 2-car garage for each unit.

Discover Marina Bay in St. Petersburg, a hidden gem tucked away on Boca Ciega Bay, where 60 acres of lush tropical landscaping, lakes with dramatic water features and abundant wildlife blend to form this vibrant community. Just six minutes to downtown St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, the new Villas, Estate Homes and Pointe Condominiums on Boca Ciega redefine both luxury and resilience by building to FORTIFIEDTM - Gold standards. Visit Marina Bay, next to Eckerd College, to tour our new models.

Mon-Sat: 11 - 4pm • Sunday: Noon - 4pm The first FORTIFIEDTM condominium in Florida

Sales Center • 4 Franklin Court South • St. Petersburg, FL 33711

MarinaBayStPete.com • 727-906-3300

S T. P E T E R S B U R G

TR AVEL

EQUINE E X T R AVA G A N Z A

The statue in front of the Equestrian Hotel at Ocala’s World Equestrian Center is of Staff Sgt. Reckless, a horse that carried U.S. munitions and wounded soldiers during the Korean War. Photo courtesy of Ethan Tweedie, World Equestrian Center

32 / bay

BY SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN side from some opulent resorts in the Orlando area, Central Florida has never been known for luxurious accommodations. And for many visitors and Floridians alike, Ocala registers as little more than “horse country” and a few exits along Interstate 75. That is rapidly changing, due in no small part to the new World Equestrian Center and the Equestrian Hotel.

Spread over nearly 380 acres west of the interstate, this $800 million project is emerging as the Disney World of the horse set. Riders from all over the United States and dozens of foreign countries are flocking here to compete in state-of-the-art facilities, including huge air-conditioned arenas with VIP viewing suites. They never have to leave the grounds to stable their horses, shop in highend stores or dine in a wide variety of restaurants.

But this isn’t just for horse owners. What is being called the finest equestrian center in the country is also a lovely resort at which you can relax by the pool, get pampered in the spa or just watch horse and rider move as one as they jump fences or go through their dancelike dressage paces.

The Ocala/Marion County area, with more than 1,200 horse farms, has long claimed the title of “Horse Capital of the World.” Miles of scenic pastures have produced six Kentucky Derby winners and 26 Breeders Cup champions, making it the logical place for a major equestrian center.

The lobby of the Equestrian Hotel has 24-foot ceilings and dramatic touches of black and gold. Photo by Susan Taylor Martin

Opened in December 2020 after four years in the making, the center was entirely funded by Larry and Mary Roberts. The couple, originally from Ohio, started with a single truck and built it into R+ L Carriers, one of the nation’s largest trucking companies. A friend and I recently checked into the Equestrian, the 248-room hotel that anchors the center and reflects Mrs. Roberts’ dramatic design sense.

The lobby, with a fireplace and ceilings that soar 24 feet, is a crisp white with accents of black and gold in the French provincial-style furnishings. Enormous portraits of dogs — one of Mary Roberts’ favorite animals along with horses — line the upper walls. Fresh flowers abound.

Our room, which overlooked an outdoor arena, had two king-size beds and two bathrooms, one with a Victoria & Albert clawfoot tub and toiletries by Balmain Paris. After dropping off our bags, we stopped by the shops that line a wing of the hotel.

Lugano’s, with outlets in Newport Beach, Aspen and Palm Beach, creates one-of-a-kind jewelry — some of the diamond pieces on Some of the hunter jumper competitions at the World Equestrian Center are held in air-conditioned indoor arenas. Photo courtesy of the World Equestrian Center bay / 33

N

C display top $200,000. From there we headed past a leather goods store, Emma’s Patisserie and into Mr. Pickles and Sailor Bear Toy Shoppe. Lamenting the fact that kids nowadays get most of their playthings from Amazon, Mary Roberts wanted the center to have a real toy store. This one features life-size animatronic animals that growl and roar, and a rocking horse modeled after one of Queen Elizabeth’s steeds. Price: $15,000.

The rest of the equestrian center is so vast that Justin Garner, the director of hospitality operations, gave us a tour by golf cart.

Whereas the hotel lobby was filled with casual visitors in shorts, almost everyone outside was a rider — many in jodhpurs, jackets, caps and boots — slowly walking or riding their horses down paths marked with “horse crossing” signs.

In addition to the 2,500-seat arena by the hotel, there are several indoor arenas, an outdoor stadium, two expo centers, a chapel, a general store, a gas station, 280 RV campsites and 2,880 climatecontrolled stalls for horses (for exhibitors only, no long-term boarding is permitted). Another hotel is planned, with 400 rooms and a lower price point than the Equestrian, whose rates start in the $400 range. Also in the works are an emergency medical clinic and a veterinary center, while buyers soon will have their choice of 104 3-to-9-acre home sites big enough to keep their horses on.

With its well-landscaped grounds and multiple facilities, the center is becoming a popular venue for weddings and other nonequestrian events. Among them: a youth volleyball tournament and a food and wine festival.

Horses and riders have the right of way at the World Equestrian Center. Photo by Susan Taylor Martin

That evening, we ate in Stirrups, the center’s fine-dining restaurant that features prime steaks, Florida seafood and seasonal specialties like black-eyed pea salad. Other eateries throughout the center include Filo’s Mexican Cantina, Ralph’s Burger and Sandwich Shop and Viola & Dot’s Italian Kitchen and Pizzeria.

Later, we popped into Yellow Pony, the hotel’s pub. It was packed, not only with hotel guests but residents of Ocala and developments springing up nearby. Given its central location, the Ocala area has become a major distribution hub that is drawing many new people and businesses.

Before leaving the next day, we spent a few hours in the shaded outdoor arena, enjoying a soft breeze and watching the show jumpers leap over a series of 4-foot fences. The riders, scored by time and other criteria, came from several states including Illinois, Texas and California.

The West Coast horse, we learned, had been shipped in just the day before — by Federal Express.

World Equestrian Center, 1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala. worldequestriancenter.com.

34 / bay

This rocking horse, modeled after one of Queen Elizabeth’s horses, is for sale for $15,000 in the toy store at the Equestrian Hotel. Photo courtesy of the World Equestrian Center

N O N W ST U R ND U C ER TI O N O C

Follow your heart.

Your head will thank you.

You deserve Altura Bayshore. Your heart will appreciate its beauty, 23 stories above

Hillsborough Bay in South Tampa. Cognitively, you’ll appreciate spacious open

residences, replete with a host of amenities. Live the life you deserve at pricing

you won’t believe.

Prices from mid $1 millions to over $3 million 3106 W. Bay to Bay Blvd. | Tampa, FL 33629 AlturaBayshore.com | 813.492.2420

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

#{ ͉{ # L;[ {#͉͉̌​͉​͉​͉​͉​͉​͉​͉​͉​͉ #{ ͉5=U#͉ =U=U7͉͉̌​͉​͉​͉​͉​͉​͉​͉​͉​͉T[{ ͉w[T U = ͉̌

� �

�

�������� ����� ������� ���� ���� ���� ������������ ���������� ������������������� ��� ��� ���� � ���� ������� � ��������� ���� � ���������� ���� �� �������������������� ���� ��� �� �������������������

A N S E L A DAMS:

The Masterworks

C LYDE BUTC HER:

America the Beautiful

APRIL 9 - JULY 31, 2022

150 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL | thejamesmuseum.org | 727.892.4200 Anse An sell Ad se Adam ams: am s: The Mas aste terw te rwor rw orks or ks is a tr trav avel av elin el ing in g ex exhi hibi hi biti bi tion ti on cre reat ated at ed by th the e Bo Boot oth ot h We West ster st ern er n Ar Artt Mu Muse seum se um. um Clyd Cl Clyde ydee Butcher: yd Butc Bu tche tc her: he r: America Ame meri rica ri ca the the Beautiful Bea eaut utif ut iful if ul is an an exhibition exhi ex hibi hi biti bi tion ti on organized org rgan aniz an ized iz ed b by y Wi Wind Window ndow nd ow of of the the Eye, Eye, Inc Inc Clyd Cl Clyde yde yd e Butcher, Butc Bu tche tc her, he r, Badlands Badl Ba dlan dl ands an ds 23, 23 23, 20 2006 2006, 06,, si 06 silv silver lver lv er ggelatin elat el atin at in p print rint ri nt ((detail) deta de tail ta il))

FOOD

BASQUE DELIGHT

s

BY KATHY SAUNDERS lide over, key lime pie and chocolate lava cake, there’s a new treat in town. Basque Burnt Cheesecake has been showing up on dessert menus on both sides of Tampa Bay in recent months. • First predicted to be a nationwide hit a few years ago, the dessert went on the back burner due to the pandemic. But local chefs, eager to reinvent their offerings after lockdowns and closings, began tweaking their recipes and adding the unusual cheesecake to their repertoires. • Originally developed in Spain’s Basque region of San Sebastian, the cheesecake is unique in its composition and appearance. It is crustless and cooked at high temperatures, ideally creating a cookielike top and a creamier inside than traditional cheesecakes.

Photo courtesy of Chuck Bandel 38 / bay

One of the first chefs to feature the dessert was Chuck Bandel at The Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg. Surrealist painter Salvador Dalí was from the Catalonia region of Spain, and Bandel travels frequently to the country to study under celebrated chefs and try their techniques in his Spanish-themed museum restaurant, Cafe Gala.

“The caramelization from the way it’s cooked almost gives you three distinct flavors,” Bandel said. “It has the caramelized top, cheesy filling and creamy texture.” He prepares the cakes and lets them sit overnight before serving. And, he said, even the chefs in Spain use only Philadelphia brand cream cheese.

“At that time we were looking to put some new juice back into Rocca and revisiting some stuff that we had worked on before the fire,” he said. “I trialed and error-ed a few recipes and came up with a hybrid of my own,” he said. “As soon as I baked it I knew that we were on to something.”

Bonsack describes his dessert as “a bit underdone and a little bit more charred,” with the inside as gooey as Brie. “I bake it in the oven in the early afternoon and then let it come to room temperature and don’t cut it until right before service,” he said. He plates it ($12 each) with macerated strawberries and a garnish of grated, sun-dried lime.

“It sells out every night,” he said.

Chefs from the Basque region typically serve the cheesecake with a moltenlike, very runny filling. But Bandel said many American diners might cringe at that texture in cheesecake. His version is very popular among museum guests and visitors who can enter the museum just to dine at the cafe. He serves the slices ($8 each) with strawberry Cava rose sauce.

While St. Petersburg’s Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant was closed last year awaiting renovation of its new space, its chef of 22 years, Horasio Salgado, used the time to develop more than a dozen new recipes for the menu. Among them: Basque Cheesecake.

“He probably spent a month working on this,” Ceviche owner Lee Karlins said of the chef. They sampled upwards of 25 versions to find just the right consistency for the dessert: “We ate cheesecake forever,’’ Karlins said.

While the ingredients are simple, including eggs, sugar, cream cheese and flour, the cheesecake “is very hard to make,” Salgado said. His slices are similar in appearance and taste to the cheesecake at The Dalí. Salgado serves his ($9 a slice) with a simple dollop of whipped cream and a raspberry garnish.

“We tried it with many different toppings but they just took away from the cheesecake flavor,” said Karlins, who recently sampled the dessert at two Spanish-themed restaurants in Washington, D.C. “Ours is definitely better.

One was yellow and tasted like it had Manchego or some type of cheese in it, and the other was too thick and super dry.”

BASQUE BURNT CHEESECAKE This is chef Chuck Bandel’s recipe for Basque Burnt Cheesecake. It’s served at the Cafe Gala inside The Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg.

35.2 ounces Philadelphia Cream Cheese 1 cup sugar 7 eggs ¼ cup flour 2 cups heavy cream Pinch of sea salt Preheat oven to 425 degrees. (Put the convection fan on low if using a convection oven.)

Using a handheld immersion blender, combine all ingredients until smooth.

Line a 10-inch springform pan with two 16-inch by 24-inch pieces of parchment paper, forming a cross.

Pour in batter, place cheesecake on a half-sheet baking tray and cook for 50 minutes. (Decrease by 5 minutes for convection oven.)

Let stand at room temperature for 1 ½ hours, then chill overnight. Carefully remove the parchment paper, slice and serve.

Since Ceviche reopened in July on St. Petersburg’s Beach Drive, Salgado has been baking 10 to 12 Basque Cheesecakes a week. “They are very popular and customers love it,” Karlins said.

Diners at Rocca in Tampa like the cheesecake so much they have been ordering it ahead when they make reservations.

Chef Bryce Bonsack, part owner of the Italian restaurant, said he makes his own version of the Basque cheesecake, adding a bit of mascarpone cheese. The menu describes it simply as “Burnt Cheesecake.” He added the dessert after the restaurant reopened in 2020 following a small kitchen fire, although he had been experimenting with recipes for a few years after seeing photos of the cheesecake on social media.

Photo by Susan Taylor Martin

bay / 39

cook up a

SAVE UP TO 20%*

FRESH LOOK FOR SPRING

UP TO

A PINCH OF KNOW-HOW, OUR DESIGNERS

IN STORES AND ONLINE

36 MONTHS SPECIAL FINANCING §

WITH A DASH OF INSPIRATION AND WILL WHIP UP A DELECTABLE NEW LOOK FOR YOUR HOME.

BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY DESIGN APPOINTMENT TODAY CITRUS PARK 8314 CITRUS PARK DRIVE (ACROSS FROM CITRUS PARK TOWN CENTER) 813.920.9696 BRANDON 10015 ADAMO DRIVE HIGHWAY 60 (1/2 MI. WEST OF BRANDON TOWN CENTER) 813.621.7585 Discounts are taken off our regular prices. Prior reductions may have been taken. Exclusions apply. Ask a designer or visit ethanallen.com for details. § Restrictions apply. Visit a Design Center or ethanallen.com/platinum for details. Offers end April 30, 2022. ©2022 Ethan Allen Global, Inc.

*

680 ISLAND WAY UNIT 709 | CLEARWATER | $1,350,000 Vickee Walthall | 727-282-3605

181 BRIGHTWATER #2 | CLEARWATER BEACH | $1,599,000 Susan Gaddis | 727-403-9070

G IN D N E P

G IN D N E P

200 MAIN STREET, UNIT 402 | DUNEDIN | $775,000 Vickee Walthall | 727-282-3605

11300 9TH STREET E | TREASURE ISLAND | $1,200,000 Barb Adams | 727-457-5725

over

$ 7. 5 BIL L ION a nd 15,351 TRANSACTIONS

i n Ta m p a B a y

350+ 10 ADVISORS & SUPPORT STAFF

DEDICATED MARKETING & PR PROFESSIONALS

SINCE 2 0 12

14

OFFICE LOCATIONS

W W W.C OA S TA L P G I .C O M

2

EXCEPTIONAL BRANDS

B E L L E A I R | C L E A RWAT E R | C L E A RWAT E R B E AC H | D U N E D I N | E A S T L A K E / PA L M H A R B O R | I N D I A N R O C K S B E AC H | I S L A N D E S TAT E S N O RT H R E D I N G TO N B E AC H | OZO N A | S T. P E T E B E AC H | S T. P E T E R S B U RG | TA M PA | T I E R R A V E R D E | T R E A S U R E I S L A N D

42 / bay

Above: It takes Liberty Coach eight months or so to customize a vehicle. Left: You can make yourself at home in the living room of a Liberty Coach RV. Photos courtesy of Liberty Coach

ROLLING IN

LUXURY

BY SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN

A

mericans have long been enamored of the open road. There was John Steinbeck circling the country in Travels

With Charley. Buz and Tod tooling west on Route 66. Clark Griswold loading up the family for a National Lampoon’s Vacation. Today, though, motorists are increasingly traveling in style.

In recent years, sales of luxury recreational vehicles, better known as RVs, have soared.

Why stay in a tent or hotel room when you can bring all the amenities of home when you go?

French door refrigerators, granite countertops, flat-screen TVs, even king-size beds — all that and more can be found just behind the driver’s seat. “It’s pretty much a home on wheels,” said Frank X. Konigseder, vice president of Liberty Coach.

bay / 43

This is the dining area of a custom RV made by Liberty Coach. Prices for a customized Liberty Coach RV range from $2.4 million to $2.7 million. Photos courtesy of Liberty Coach

Based in Illinois, 50-year-old Liberty is at the top of the market with prices ranging from $2.4 million to $2.7 million.

Owners of the company’s customized RVs include NASCAR racer Kyle Busch and his longtime sponsor, the Mars family of M&M’s and Milky Way fame.

Typical buyers, though, are NASCAR fans who like to travel the circuit. “They’re business owners, or maybe auto dealers or contractors,” Konigseder said. Because of the time and cost involved with customizing a coach, “this is a relationship-based business, no questions about it,” he said.

“We are tied to them for many, many years, they become good friends. We have second-generation (customers).”

Liberty, whose sales offices are in Stuart, builds its coaches on tour bus chassis that come from the Canadian maker with not much more than a driver’s seat and slides — the sections that slide out from the main frame and can expand the RV’s 44 / bay

Liberty Coach, a 50-year-old Illinois-based company, turns out about 15 customized RVs a year.

Theater-style seats like those in Tiffin Motorhomes’ Allegro model are popular in upscale RVs.

This is the shower in a Zephyr model coach made by Tiffin Motorhomes.

Photos courtesy of Tiffin Motorhomes

width, when parked, from 8 ½ feet to about 13 feet. Following the buyer’s specifications, Liberty takes eight months or so to customize a vehicle. It generally turns out 15 a year.

When finished, a coach has approximately 480 square feet of living space and gets 7 to 8 miles per gallon. Konigseder said that’s 20 percent better mileage than in the past, thanks to the more environmentally friendly technology and materials the company now uses.

Opulent RVs don’t all run into seven figures. Newmar Corp., whose parent company is Winnebago, lists its 2022 Ventana model with a base price of $383,960. Among the features: a hide-a-bed sofa; a dual-sink vanity; and a work desk with chair, overhead cabinet and large window providing natural light.

Options include heated floor tile and theater-style seats.

Another maker of high-end RVs is Alabama-based Tiffin Motorhomes, which like Liberty is celebrating its 50th year in business. Tiffin is unique in that its builds its own chassis for its two top models, the Allegro, which ranges from $500,000 to $600,000, and the Zephyr, which runs around $750,000.

Newmar Corp.’s RV models include the Ventana. Photo courtesy of Newmar Corp.

“We don’t necessarily build a custom floor plan but clients have a wide variety for decor and options,” said Andy Baer, Tiffin’s general manager. Among the most popular options: bay / 45

This is the interior of a Ventana model RV made by Newmar Corp., whose parent company is Winnebago. Photo courtesy of Newmar Corp.

wine coolers, heated floors and built-in espresso and cappuccino machines. Many clients also ask for dog beds and somewhere to stash a kitty litter box.

TVs are standard and can be as large as 55 inches. “If it gets much bigger,” Baer said, “you have an issue of being far enough away” to comfortably watch it.

Tiffin sells to sports figures, but Baer said its main customers are auto dealers, entrepreneurs, professionals and, somewhat surprisingly, “a lot of pilots,” who like to travel that way when not in the air. For about a fourth of buyers, the high-end coach is their main residence. Many work from the motor home thanks to 5G systems “that allow you to have your own hot spot with an antenna on the roof,” Baer said.

“It’s a very independent way to live and live where you want,” he added.

Most luxury motor homes have washers and dryers, like this pair in a coach for sale at Lazy Days RV in Seffner. Photo by Susan Taylor Martin

The earliest RV was said to be a converted 1915 Packard truck that could sleep 11. Winnebago, founded in 1958, was the first company to mass-produce motor homes accessible to a growing middle class. As incomes increased and more people began to take vacations in the early ‘70s, “our industry really began to gain traction,” Baer said.

Since then, the RV industry has exploded in variety and

46 / bay

popularity. In 2019 alone, it contributed $114 billion to the U.S. economy and supported nearly 600,000 jobs, according to the RV Industry Association. More than 11 million households now own some type of RV: The typical owner is 48, married, has an above-average income and uses the RV three or four weeks a year. Although you could spend a lot of nights in some very nice hotel rooms for what a highend coach costs, the association says RV vacations are 27 to 62 percent less expensive on a per-day basis than other vacation options.

The pandemic has undeniably boosted interest in RVs, especially among people who want to travel but avoid crowds. In January, 53,290 RV units of all kind — coaches, camper vans, fifth-wheel trailers — were shipped. That’s a 16 percent increase over 2020, the industry association says.

Tiffin Motorhomes annually makes about 30 Zephyrs, its top model, and 600 to 700 Allegros, its second costliest.

Baer said the company is currently sold out of Zephyrs, with a yearlong waiting list, and nearly sold out of Allegros, with a wait time of six to eight months.

“It’s been crazy,” he said of pandemic-era sales. “I think people realize this is a safe way to travel, you get to take all your own belongings, your own linens. You are essentially independent for much of your surroundings if you need to be.”

Broker Participation is welcomed and encouraged. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A SELLER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. This project has been filed in the state of Florida and no other state. This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy the condominium units in states where such offer or solicitation cannot be made. Prices, availability, artist’s renderings, dimensions, specifications, and features are subject to change at any time without notice.

The project described herein (the “Project”) and the residential units located within the Project (the “Residential Units”) are not owned, developed, or sold by Pendry Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLC or any of its respective affiliates (collectively, “Pendry”), and Pendry does not make any representations, warranties or guaranties whatsoever with respect to the Residential Units, the Project or any part thereof.

TRD Riverwalk Developer LLC uses the PENDRY brand name and certain other Pendry trademarks (collectively, the “Trademarks”) in connection with the sales and marketing of the Residential Units in the Project under a limited, non-exclusive and non-sublicensable license from Pendry. The foregoing license may be terminated or may expire without renewal, in which case neither the Residential Units nor any part of the Project will be identified as a PENDRY-branded project or have any rights to use the Trademarks. Artist’s Conceptual Renderings. Subject to Change.

THE NEW LUXURY ARRIVES ON THE TAMPA RIVERWALK

Luxury Waterfront Residences from the $1 Millions Schedule a Private Appointment | 100 S. Ashley Drive, Suite 100 | Tampa, FL 33602 813-576-2910 | PendryResidencesTampa.com

SAN DIEGO | BALTIMORE | WEST HOLLYWOOD | CHICAGO | MANHATTAN WEST PARK CITY | WASHINGTON, D.C. (Opening 2022) | NATIRAR (Opening 2023) NEWPORT BEACH (Opening 2023) | CINCINNATI (Opening 2023) | TAMPA (Under Development)

SOCIAL SCENE

Beverly and Carlos Yepes.

The Salvador Dalí Museum 40th Anniversary Dinner

Susan Robertson and Frederic Puhan.

From left, Mary and Charley Harris and Anje and Tim Bogott.

50 / bay

Dalí Museum trustees hosted the 40th Anniversary Dinner on March 5, a once-a-year fundraiser at which patrons dine in the galleries, surrounded by surrealist Salvador Dalí’s expertly curated works. Museum director Hank Hine, board president and presenting sponsor Karen Lang Johnston and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch welcomed special visitor H.E. Santiago Cabanas, Ambassador of Spain to the United States, who joined guests for a tour of the “Picasso and the Allure of the South” exhibition before the elegant evening concluded in the Avant-garden. — Amy Scherzer, photos courtesy of Feddy Azofeifa, MiJo Productions for The Salvador Dalí Museum

Mary and Charley Harris.

H.E. Santiago Cabanas, Ambassador of Spain to the United States.

Raymond James Pops

SUPERHERO SOUNDTRACKS Apr 29 - May 1

Tampa Bay Times Masterworks

Mozart’s Requiem

WITH THE MASTER CHORALE OF TAMPA BAY

May 13 - 15

Tampa Bay Times Masterworks

TCHAIKOVSKY’S SYMPHONY NO. 5

WITH BENJAMIN GROSVENOR ON PROKOFIEV

May 21 & 22

FloridaOrchestra.org | 727.892.3337 or 1.800.662.7286 |

Functional works of art!

In this age of virtual showrooms, we do business the old fashioned way. We have a real showroom with real designers, who really help make your home beautiful!

Come see us...we appreciate you shopping local.

2610 4th St N, Saint Petersburg, FL M-F: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm • Sat: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm • Sun: Closed (727) 823-2929 • www.bsgstpete.com

©2021 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners. 14260605

bay / 51

SOCIAL SCENE

Gloria Muñoz.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, left, joins musical group La Lucha on stage at the Muse Awards celebration.

St. Petersburg Arts Alliance Muse Awards

Chad Mize and Jennifer Lovelady.

Carlos Culbertson, aka Zulu Painter.

Matthew McGee.

Terry Marks and Matthew Walker.

52 / bay

Beck and David Ramsey.

St. Petersburg’s arts community came together March 4 at the Morean Center for Clay for the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance’s Muse Awards celebration. The awards were given to impactful members of the community, presented by their friends and colleagues. Warm words were exchanged during the presentations, which were introduced by the alliance’s chief executive officer, Terry Marks, and emceed by Paul Wilborn. The blown-glass awards were created

by Zen Glass. True to the alliance’s commitment to supporting local artists, works were on display by Morean Center for Clay artists, Ashley Rivers, iBOMS (Jabari Reed-Diop), Paul Barrera and Janna Kennedy, to name a few. Marcell Marias’ cool installation of light sculptures lent an ethereal ambiance to the historic train station. It was an evening of food, libations and festivity, with dance performances from The Cat’s Meow and projectALCHEMY. But no one expected for Mayor Ken Welch to join musical group La Lucha on guitar. It was a fun surprise. The honorees were: Chad Mize, Ambassador of the Arts Honoree, presented by Jennifer Lovelady; Matthew McGee, Performing Arts Honoree, presented by Gina Driscoll; Carlos Culbertson, aka Zulu Painter, Visual Arts Honoree, presented by Veatrice Farrell; Becky and David Ramsey, Patron of the Arts Honoree, presented by Jeffrey Hearn and Bill Hoyt; Matthew Walker, Technology and Arts Honoree, presented by Terry Marks; and Gloria Muñoz, Literary Arts Honoree, presented

by Helen Pruitt Wallace. — Maggie Duffy, photos by Xina Scuderi Photography, courtesy of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance

Zimmer

Concierge Medical Membership

Do you yearn for a doctor who’s attentive, unrushed and accessible –

without all the waiting?

Then discover the luxury of Concierge Medical Care For over 26 years, Dr. Zimmer has provided unparalleled care in internal medicine to thousands of patients. The Zimmer Concierge Medical Membership takes the patient experience to the next level, infusing the highest-quality care with first-rate amenities to make your visits comfortable, convenient, and hassle-free.

We’re bringing back the idea of the family doctor, and creating physician-patient relationships that are authentic and personal. As a member, you’ll benefit from our premium services while receiving care Michael A. Zimmer, MD, MACP uniquely tailored to your medical needs.

Membership Benefits • Always see Dr. Zimmer himself

• Never wait more than the next day for appointments • Unlimited visits

• Appointments are never rushed

• Access to Dr. Zimmer via phone, cellphone, email

BERNINI AND THE ROMAN BAROQUE MASTERPIECES FROM PALAZZO CHIGI IN ARICCIA

FEBRUARY 12—MAY 8, 2022

DEFINING LINES

THE PRINTS AND DRAWINGS OF MAXIME LALANNE

FEBRUARY 26—JULY 17, 2022

WOMEN'S WORK

A SURVEY OF FEMALE PHOTOGRAPHERS

APRIL 16–SEPTEMBER 11, 2022

Dr. Zimmer is a boardcertified, award-winning doctor of internal medicine.

call 727-502-2626

visit ZimmerCM.com

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-PERSON CONSULTATION

509 Jackson St. N., St. Petersburg bay / 53

SOCIAL SCENE

From left, Paul Wilborn, Audrie Ranon and Eugenie Bondurant.

Betsy and Steve Chambers, left, and Betty Wood and George Wood.

The Chiselers Chiselers Market Preview Party From left, Jan Ely, Mart Pieper and Jackie Walker.

Imagine walking into Buckingham Palace during a garage sale where cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served and all the guests are devoted to historic preservation. That was the Chiselers’ annual Preview Party, the March 11 kickoff to the huge Chiselers Market fundraiser where a host of donated heirlooms, housewares and irresistible bargains are sold to help maintain the 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel, home to the University of Tampa.

Partiers honored Chiseler Betty Wood and sponsors Steve and Betsy Wood Chambers and congratulated Chiseler Linda Miller when Bob Griffin bid for the 2-carat diamond ring in the live auction and proposed on the spot. Text and photos by Amy Scherzer

Jackie and Hayward Chapman, left, and Luzette Lightfoot.

Linda Miller and Bob Griffin. Photo courtesy of Jackie Walker 54 / bay

From left, Elena Cifuentes, Joan Craft and Donna Popovich.

THE

Artist’s Question

beautiful change can be...

Sally Dutko

ANSWERED IN FIBER

Spring, a reminder how

April 25 – May 14, 2022

Studio Art Quilt Associates Regional Exhibition Sponsored by: Jeannine Hascall

Studio Art Quilt Associates presents art quilts by 29 artists from Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Texas.

Artists will talk about their work at 6 p.m. on May 4.

Custom Garage Doors Repair • Replacement • Natural wood appearance • Low maintenance composite • Least expensive way to distinguish the curb appeal of your home

Complimentary Service Call

Susan Leslie Lumsden

Annie Smith

Bobbi Baugh

A new season of craftArt Exhibitions A Name You Can Trust

Discover art by 250 of Florida’s fine craft artists: Ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, metals, sculpture, and wood.

A STATEWIDE NONPROFIT

501 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg (727) 821-7391 FloridaCraftArt.org

Gallery Hours Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Admission is always free.

Clearwater | 13737 Automobile Blvd. | 727.565.0788 Tampa | 14932B N. Florida Ave. | 813.489.6950

PrecisionTampaBay.com

Lic.#CRC-1329612

bay / 55

Social calendar Ř 6($621

/CRL 5HORYKNK $UWLVWLF 'LUHFWRU

6HDVRQ $UWLVWLF 6SRQVRU $GĚKNFC &TMONě

April 23: St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation Heroes Ball, a black-tie event, with honoree Titus O’Neil. $500 and up. 6:30 p.m. Tampa Marriott Water Street.

813-872-0979 or sjhfoundation@baycare.org.

April 29: CITY: Fashion+Art+Culture, a Tampa Museum of Art benefit, with guest designer Silvia Tcherassi. VIP, $250 members, $275 nonmembers; general, $125 members, $175 nonmembers. 8-11 p.m. 120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. tampamuseum.org.

May 6: Fabulous Females luncheon, which benefits the Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg Scholarship Fund. $150. Noon. TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, St. Pete Beach. bit.ly/FabFemales or 727-322-0800, ext. 2109.

May 7: Wishmaker’s Ball, which benefits Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, featuring Charles Kelly. Sponsorships start at $5,000. 6 p.m. JW Marriott, 510 Water St., Tampa. wishmakersballtampa.net/.

May 14: Carnevale, Opera Tampa Gala, with Anton Coppola Award honorees Judy and Ernie Lisi. $400. 6 p.m. Morsani Hall at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. operatampa.org.

May 21: Beauty and the Beast, Storybook Ball, which benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities. $500 and up. 6 p.m. The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. rmhctampabay.org/storybook-ball.

#PRKĚ :M <:@> ;K>PBG@ 6SRQVRUHG %\ 'U 3DXO 6FKLOOLQJ 'U -D\ 'XWWRQ

May 21: 27th annual Magnolia Ball, which benefits Moffitt Cancer Center, featuring Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. Sponsorships start at $10,000. 6 p.m. JW Marriott Tampa, 510 Water St., Tampa. 813-745-3298 or moffitt.org/magnoliaball.

Contact Amy Scherzer at AmyScherzersDiary@gmail.com.

We Build Custom Mattresses )#'6#01 &10+<'66+

,TNG %1 5210514'& $;

)ĚORKC /CěXSYXL 4KEJCRF %CĚFVGĚĚ

6+%-'65 [ 562'6'12'4# 14) 58 / bay

Our expert consultants will take the time to design and manufacture a mattress just for you!

Pittsburgh Mattress Factory Custom Quality • Factory Direct

Visit Our Factory Showroom! (9 (941) 729-7604

Find us on facebook

Reversible Innerspring, 100% Latex & Memory Foam Mattresses • Genuine Boxprings Adjustable Beds • Custom Sizes for Boats, Trucks, Antique Beds & RV Mattresses

2424 Hwy. 301 North • Ellenton • PittsburghMattress.com

CUSTOM-BUILT MASTERPIECE IN DUNEDIN OFFERED AT $2,799,000 Truly an architectural masterpiece with unrivaled attention to detail! Over 5,700 sq.ft. of luxurious living in the heart of Dunedin boasting a home site of nearly a half acre!

Fabulous attention to detail with a nod to old Florida style and grace. Seven bedrooms plus a study, 2 lofts and a bonus room, 4½ baths and an oversized 4-car garage! Soaring ceilings, covered porches and impressive designer finishes will leave you awestruck!

Endless luxuries! Custom built in 2016 with no expense spared. This distinctive home has successfully blended charmingg old Florida style yl with new Florida opulence! pu

Extraordinary

Luxury Living

EXCEPTIONAL IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT! OVER 2 BILLION SOLD! NINE-TIME DIAMOND AWARD WINNER TWO-TIME PRESTIGIOUS GLOBAL PINNACLE AWARD WINNER

LUXURY HOME SPECIALIST REALTEC GROUP

NANCY LESLIE 727-420-2963

NancyLeslie.com | nancyleslie@remaxrealtec.net TOP 100 REMAX AGENTS WORLDWIDE | NO. 6 IN THE US

NO. 1 REMAX AGENT IN PINELLAS | NO. 2 REMAX AGENT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA REMAX “DIAMOND CLUB” AWARD WINNER 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

SPECTACULAR PALM HARBOR EXECUTIVE HOME

MAGNIFICENT PALM HARBOR TWO-STORY

OFFERED AT $1,025,000

OFFERED AT $999,900

Sprawling updated luxury! A beautiful executive home with 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, plus Majestic with breathtaking panoramic pond views! A grand custom-built beauty on a a study, plus a bonus room! Located in prestigious Myrtle Point of Lansbrook! premium home site in exclusive, gated Presidents Landing of Lansbrook!

THE PERFECT GIFT FOR

Mom

Since 1983

IS AN ORGANIZED HOME

Call today to arrange your free consultation. 813-926-9348 Dressing Rooms • Pantries • Home Offices • Garage Systems Laundry Rooms • Mud Rooms • Murphy Beds and more!

SOUTHERN CLOSET SYSTEMS SHOWROOM HOURS: Mon- Fri 8AM - 4PM • Sat-Sun by Appointment

DESIGN • BUILD • INSTALL Free Installation & 10-Year Limited Warranty

13211 Byrd Drive, Odessa, FL 33556

Come explore our showroom, or visit our website at

www.southerncloset.com

License# C-9532