This place should get their own trophy!

Sometimes I find wings when I'm looking for something completely different...

Since the Publix ate my Albertsons, I have found myself sans a dry cleaner. And since my husband and I both live in uniforms, well, you get the picture.

So we took a drive around Palmetto and Parrish, looking for a new dry cleaners. Our adventures always take us someplace interesting; years ago when we first moved to Manatee County, we got VERY lost looking for the mall but found a good place for margaritas instead.

My husband found a little family dry cleaners off US 301 near Taco Bell. Of course, they were closed because we night folks do everything after dark. But the place next door, Trophy's Sports Pub and Wings, was serving up a storm.

"Wings!" I yelled. (And my husband was more than ready for a beer.)

Deceiving from the outside, this place had two pool tables, room for a band and lots of seating. They also had booths for families to sit down and eat - a practical thing since Trophy's boasts a full menu. I almost stole a bite of my husband's cheeseburger because it smelled soooo good with all the big slices of fresh onion and real cheddar melting down ... but alas, my recent quest for the area's Best Hotwings has already forced me to spend more time at the gym. I didn't want to push it.

Their wings are more than a meal, anyway! I love a good wingsauce that has flavor, not just heat! (and I didn't ask, but I swear their bleu cheese dressing is home-made.) And so crispy, without being dry. So they earn themselves a place on my Best Hotwing's list.

The ambiance is good, too. Kind of like walking into someone's personal sports memorabilia collection that got too big for its britches. Lots to look at here.

Trophy's Sports Pub and Wings, 1035 Hasko Road in Palmetto. Full bar, full menu, nonsmoking, live music on Fridays and Saturdays, karaoke on Thursdays and GREAT hotwings. (941) 981-3803.

$100 in prizes!!

Check out www.localshops1.com to find out how you can win $100 in prizes!!


what you can win:

one-hour facial from Complexions in Gulfport
towel set from Shirts of Bamboo!

New restaurant in downtown Gulfport

www.localshops1.com welcomes our newest neighbor!

There's a cool new independent restaurant in downtown Gulfport!
If you're from around here, you've probably been to Dominic's pizza on Gulfport Boulevard, near 49th street, in the plaza next to the hardware store.

Well Dominic's has moved a few blocks south, to Beach Boulevard. It joins bunch of other great restaurants in the downtown arts district: Pia's, Peg's O'Maddy's, Domain (also pretty news), Yummy's, Backfin, Java Nirvana ....

But, back to Dominic's: It opened last night, to coincide with Geckofest. I had a slice of pizza, with peppers and olives; and a salad called the wedge. olives, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and a really great dressing. Also on the menu: calzones, ice cream. And more is coming in the next few weeks, the owner says.

They'd planned to open in September, but figured they'd rush to make it in time for the Geckofest crowds.

And we're glad they did! The food was awesome, the prices were very reasonable. And it's such a cute place! Cool chandeliers, grandfather clock. Lots of charm, and a great fit for our downtown.

Geckofest countdown

Ready for Geckofest on Saturday? Gulfport is! Geckos -- paper, plastic, metal -- are plastered all over the storefronts on Beach Blvd. Last night we even saw a couple of real geckos checking out the fake ones, at Domain home furnishings.

So come out Saturday, and look for us! We'll have cookies and iced tea waiting for you. And a raffle, too!

www.localshops1.com

Win CASH

Hey, not sure if everyone has checked out our web site today yet, but we have a fun new promotion going on at www.localshops1.com

As you know, we want to be the most comprehensive site of independent stores. So what we're doing is this: Weekly contest to get more people to submit entries. You can enter as often as you want -- go to browse stores/add entry -- and fill out info on your favorite independent store.
The rules: Entry must include short description, plus phone, address, web site if they have one); and store must be one that's not already listed on our site. And of course, store must be locally owned and independent, within 40 miles or so of Tampa.

Every Saturday we'll go through the week's entries, and pick our favorite. Winner gets $20, payable through check or paypal. Your choice.

Interested? Go to www.localshops1.com and enter today!

Rain, rain, rain

So around here it's been raining all day. Which means we did NOT go shopping after all. Sigh ....

But we've had time to update some listings on www.localshops1.com

Of major interest, I'm sure: We ae now accepting restaurant listings! All independent, of course. We have a few of our favorites already, and we'd love to hear about yours. Please send us email with details, or you can enter them directly, through our web site.

It's Friday!

Which means there's a whole weekend ahead, to find new stores.
If you come across any cool places not listed in www.localshops1.com, please let us know!

ready for geckofest?

that's where we'll be, all day, august 30. it takes place along beach boulevard downtown, and i hear this year there will be more than 160 vendors!

and of course, local shopper will be there, trying to get you all http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifto register (it's free! FREE!) to our awesome site, localshops1.com

yes, we'll bribe you with cookies, iced tea, raffles.

hope to see you all there!

meanwhile, check our . every day. and send us your comments, your store suggestions, links to your blogs.

we love hearing from you!

Crafts, craft, crafts

Buckler's Craft Fair takes place Aug. 23-24 at Florida Fairgrounds on U.S. 301.
Furniture, toys, clothing, accessories, treats and more. Costs $5 a person, plus $5/car for parking.

Want to save money? We'll tell you how you can get a 2-for-1 admission coupon.
Go to our web site for more details.

www.localshops1.com

storm watch

So it looks like the storm will miss us, for the most part. but some shops might be closed, and many events have been canceled for today anyway. So please check before you go ... no need to waste gas, right?

Love to shop?

Check out our cool new store, for shirts, mousepads, mugs and soooo much more.


www.cafepress.com/localshops1

Win $20

Tell us why you shop locally, and you could win $20. Got localshops1.com for all the details on how to enter! but hurry .... entries must be received by the end of the month!

Welcome!!

Welcome to local shopper, the official blog for localshops1.com
a Web site dedicate to promoting locally owned, independent stores in and around Tampa Bay. Sarasota, Lakeland, New Port Richey, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Gulfport ... the list just goes on!

We'll be bringing preview on all your favorite stores, and let you know all the fun things happening at localshops1.com ... contests, sales, and a lot more!

Please join us!
Don't see your favorite store there? Let us know, and we'll add it. It's free to be listed!

If you're an artist, musician or writer, we'd love to link to your blog or web site.