Innovative retailers flavor the new year

By Jennifer Wirth
FLORIDA TODAY

Strawberry popcorn drizzled in white chocolate is the concoction that tops Sheri Taylor's list of New Year's resolutions.

As the owner of Tin Roof Popcorn Co. in downtown Melbourne, Taylor has vowed to create this inventive combination of flavors as one of her new offerings for 2004.

In addition, this year, she says the shop will feature several other enticements, including a "Popcorn of the Month Club" and a preferred-customer discount card.

Another of Taylor's resolutions will be to work with other local specialty shops like the Green Turtle Market and Harvey's Groves and ask them to carry her popcorn products.

While she makes her list of New Year's resolutions, Taylor is not alone, as other local business owners get ready for the new year by doing a little of their own goal-setting.

Annette Stine, who along with her husband, Dave, own Dan's Ice Cream & Cafe in Cocoa Beach, says their business resolutions are to expand their menu by offering a wider deli selection, adjusting some prices and doing more advertising.

But, as far as any wacky new ice-cream flavors -- for the time being none are planned.

Mitch Yampolsky, owner of Corey's Bagels on the Beach in Indian Harbour Beach, intends to spend his new year focusing on his smoothie business by offering flavors like peanut butter and mango berry.

Lucia Zeppieri, who has owned Renato's Bakery & Deli in the Eau Gallie neighborhood for the last 24 years, says she always make resolutions for her business and, for 2004, she intends to offer a few new homemade breads -- including raisin bread and olive bread -- as well as a larger assortment of Italian pastries.

Zeppieri also plans to make the bakery more "international" in its offerings.

Already stocking a wide assortment of Italian foods, this year, Zeppieri wants to offer French, German, Polish and Jewish foods as well.

Casey Cecilione, owner of Downtown Divas in downtown Melbourne, says a major resolution for her clothing boutique will be the addition of a new line she is creating called "Trendy Trinkets," which will include a wide variety of women's accessories like handbags, jewelry, candles, room accessories and more.

"I also want to listen to customers more carefully and pay close attention to detail," Cecilione said.

She also plans to establish a Web site for the shop in mid-February.

But according to Cecilione, her biggest New Year's resolution is having her husband, Chris, and their 3-year-old son in the shop with her more often.

"Being together as a family was my goal when I first opened this business," Cecilione said. "Now, I want to make it happen."

An admirable goal that I also share.

So as a new year begins, I must bid adieu to all the wonderful readers and retailers I have been lucky enough to meet as I created this column -- because, in two weeks, a little baby girl named Isabelle will become the newest member of my family, which already consists of four wonderful children. And time with them is my resolution.

I wish you a happy and safe New Year.

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Retail Roundup focuses on local retailers and retailing trends. Jennifer Wirth, a business writer for Florida Today, can be reached at (321) 242-3686 or by e-mail at jwirth@flatoday.net