PHOTOGRAPHIC MUSEUM TO MOVE A TAD, GROW A LOT

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts has grown so quickly in the year since it opened on the ground floor of the Bank of America building that it already needs to double its space.

"I guess it's the 'problem' of success," executive director Joanne Milani said. "Our membership has just exploded. We're approaching 500 members. We probably are going to have 650 by the end of the year."

The 6-year-old museum moved from Hyde Park Village last year to its current address at 200 N Tampa St. Next month it will move next door, retaining the street address but taking over a 3,400-square-foot space that is being renovated. It currently has about 1,600 square feet.

The new location will open in time for the museum's Cuba show, which begins Sept. 18.

The museum will have a classroom space and a larger museum store. The suggested donation (in lieu of a set admission charge) will rise from $2 to $4. The museum offers classes and space for parties, and members are eligible to enter a show where their photographs can be exhibited and judged.

"I think there's a thirst for things like this," Milani said.

A kitchen 'buffet'

For the parent company of Crazy Buffet restaurants, it apparently didn't seem like a big leap from food prep to cabinetmaking. The company, Creative Hospitality Concepts, this month opened MOD Cabinets and Home at 625 S Dale Mabry Highway in a former Blinds to Go. It's designed to be a one-stop kitchen shop, food not included.

"Everything we do revolves around food, and now we're just supplying something you can cook food in," project manager Lena Tan said.

The "MOD" stands for Modern on Demand. The company caters to customers who want a new kitchen in only a bit more time than it takes to make a stir fry. The company has a 25,000-square-foot local warehouse filled with stock cabinetry in both modern and more traditional styles, Tan said, along with granite counters, fixtures and appliances.

"We have everything in stock," Tan said. "If you want to buy a kitchen today, you can have it (delivered) tomorrow."

Creative Hospitality Concepts has opened a manufacturing plant in China that is supplying the cabinets. All cabinets have plywood boxes. Door styles are available in woods like birch and elm and veneers in wenge, zebrawood and bamboo.

The company plans to open another showroom in Orlando in December, Tan said. Hours at its Tampa location are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 Sunday.

Salon Lofts on Swann

A Columbus, Ohio, salon company is trying to bring its high-end chain concept to Tampa. Salon Lofts plans to open a shop next month at 2511 W Swann Ave., the former Minor's Market.

Salon Lofts aims to lure top local talent by building sleek, well-designed spaces, company owner Daniel Sadd said.

"We get the best people from the salons in each area," Sadd said. "The rest of the stylists can't afford to come to us."

The Tampa location has 25 chairs, and "a handful" have been leased, Sadd said.

Salon Lofts also is opening a St. Petersburg spot this month. The company decided to expand to the area on the request of respected celebrity stylist Albie Mulcahy, who recently moved to St. Petersburg from New York. Mulcahy travels frequently but will work two to three days a week at the St. Petersburg location.

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