Wine Design latest victim of Channelside dram Chris Wilkerson Deputy Editor- Tampa Bay Business Journal The Channelside Bay Plaza debacle has claimed another retail shop that had withstood an economic downturn and an ownership drama that had left Wine Design among the few remaining stores in a once-bustling retail center. “After 10 years, you think you will be able to make it,” said Wine Design Owner Heidi Nietzel. “Ever since the movie theater closed, the numbers have been down.” Channelside Cinemas closed in September 2012 following departures by Stumps Supper Club and nightclub Howl at the Moon. All made it through the Republican National Convention last summer and closed soon thereafter. Wine Design pressed on, though, telling Tampa Bay Business Journal in April the store was sticking it out with help from referrals and loyal customers. Channelside has been embroiled in an ownership mess with control over the center’s future split between the Tampa Port Authority and the Anglo Irish Bank. Nietzel also owns the Pour House on the first floor of the Grand Central at Kennedy condominium. She said the wine machines from the shop would make their way to the Pour House so the bar will have 32 bottles by the glass. She blamed a combination of slow foot traffic and uncertainty about the plaza’s future as reasons for Wine Design’s closing. The store’s last day is Friday. Chris Wilkerson is Deputy Editor of the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:35:02 +0000
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