ST. PETERSBURG — Former Florida first lady Carole Crist has just opened a women's clothing boutique on Third Avenue NE off Beach Drive. Goddessey Boutique carries brightly colored resort wear, from coverups to elegant flowing gowns, priced from $29 to more than $350.
The store is bright and airy with a white floor, white walls and a white leather sofa. It's in the same space that housed Charlie Crist's campaign headquarters when he ran for U.S. Senate in 2010. The address is 300 Beach Drive, though it faces Third Avenue, a few doors west of Parkshore Grill.
Carole Crist could not be reached for comment. She is a veteran businesswoman who helped run her family's New York costume business for years and incorporated her own wholesale costume business, Goddessey LLC, in St. Petersburg in 2010.
Her husband sent out an email blast announcing the opening of the store, which offers a 25 percent discount on a first purchase to those who mention it.
"I am proud to announce that my wife, Carole, has opened a beautiful beach and resort wear boutique in our home of downtown St. Petersburg," Crist wrote. "It is named GODDESSEY boutique, and I could not be prouder of how fantastic it looks!"
A sign in the store window says Goddessey Boutique will have limited hours through May. A tag line describes the shop's offerings as "beautiful beach and resort wear for the chic & fabulous ladies of Tampa Bay."
Katie Bohnett, Charlie Crist's former director of scheduling, is the manager overseeing the store's opening.
"This has always been a longtime dream of Carole's," Bohnett said. "Once she gets her name out there, I think she'd like to start her own line." The store's collection is based on Crist's own closet, with many of the styles, colors and designers she wears, Bohnett added.
Lines include Elan and Aidan Mattox, the latter of which is also sold at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.
The boutique offers a range of prices. A pink tie-dye skirt is $29; a black eyelet coverup is $49; a multicolored maxi dress is $98; pastel long-sleeve shirts are $108; a beaded strapless top is $185; and a tailored, black cocktail dress is $375.
Times staffer Adam Smith and photographer Scott Keeler contributed to this report. Contact Katherine Snow Smith at kssmith@tampabay.com. Follow @snowsmith.