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Garage to add parking for Postcard Inn, push out several longtime St. Pete Beach businesses

 
The Postcard Inn in St. Pete Beach plans to build a parking garage for several hundred cars on a small strip mall it owns next to the hotel. In all, six businesses were told they have until May 31 to move. Some have already left.
The Postcard Inn in St. Pete Beach plans to build a parking garage for several hundred cars on a small strip mall it owns next to the hotel. In all, six businesses were told they have until May 31 to move. Some have already left.
Published April 28, 2016

ST. PETE BEACH

Two businesses that have operated in the city for more than a half-century are being forced to move or close their doors to make room for a parking garage planned by the Postcard Inn.

In all, six businesses in the small strip shopping center on Gulf Boulevard just north of the hotel were told to move two months ago by the hotel officials. They must all shut their doors by May 31.

Three businesses either already have or are planning to go out of business within the next month, while at least two more are considering shutting down.

Lou's Florist, a three-generation business that has been in the city for 60 years, is the only one that has successfully found a new space. It will move to 2525 Pasadena Ave. in South Pasadena.

"I think the whole thing is pretty dirty, to tell you the truth. The hotel people came in and told my employees the business had to get out," said florist Kim Louvell, who was not at the shop at the time.

Representatives of the Postcard Inn could not be reached for comment.

Louvell's husband John's grandfather started the business selling gladiolas from a corner store on Gulf Boulevard. John's father later ran the business and subsequently turned it over to his son and daughter-in-law, who have operated it at the current location for four years.

The florist shop's customers include many city hotels and area weddings, as well as people living in nearby condominiums and neighborhoods.

"It's been horrible,'' Louvell said.

Caleb Jenkins, who purchased the now 61-year-old Washboard Beach Coin Laundry in 1997, still hasn't found a suitable space in the city.

"It will cost me about $150,000 to move. I haven't found a space yet that is affordable or the right size," Jenkins said, adding that he is considering closing down completely.

"I am shell-shocked. I know this was a business decision (for the hotel), but it is still not right," Jenkins says.

Carol Shelton, a clerk at the Two Friends Closet consignment shop said her business has not been able to find a place to relocate in the city and will simply close.

Deano Amente, owner of St. Pete Beach Ink, is still searching for a new location for his tattoo parlor.

He moved his 19-year-old business to its current location about nine years ago, and now is facing either paying double for the same space elsewhere or shutting down.

Meanwhile, the Saltwater Surf Shop and Old Time Photos have already shut their doors.

The approximately 200-room Postcard Inn, at 6300 Gulf Blvd., plans to build a garage capable of holding several hundred cars — mostly for guests — as well as parking spaces for hotel events and weddings.

The hotel was purchased earlier this year by the Carlyle Group for $32.5 million, according to the Pinellas County property appraiser.

But before the 37.6-foot high garage can be built, the hotel will need the City Commission's approval for a conditional use permit because the strip-store property, though owned by the Postcard group, is deeded separately from the hotel complex.

A second hotel garage is planned at the 22-acre Tradewinds Island Grand Resort site, just south of the Postcard Inn.

Tradewinds president Keith Overton said more than 90 area residents attended a community meeting at the hotel Monday night to learn about their proposed garage.

No variances or conditional use permitting will be required, Overton said, to build the 831-space structure. The hotel is also planning to build an additional 200 guest rooms that will bring the hotel's total rooms to nearly 800.

Construction could take up to two years, including time required for site planning and permitting, he said.