Meet the Owner: Cleanse Apothecary

The store is filled with organic-based products, a fair amount of them with French names, and none of which you’ll find at your Walgreens or CVS.

A place like wouldn’t be out of place with a Palma Ceia or International Plaza address. But owner Greg Curtis and his partner, Terry Bellamy, set up shop in the heart of Seminole Heights because, “I liked this building, and I wanted to be on Florida Avenue," Curtis said. "I think it’s kind of central to everything.” 

It also doesn’t hurt that Curtis lives a few blocks from his shop and sometimes walks to work.

Locating amidst the micro boom of new businesses on this stretch of Florida Avenue could prove the wisdom of Curtis’ choice over time. “I think the area’s changing with all the restaurants that have opened.” he said. “I know that people come in all the time when they’re leaving the spa next to us, or when they’re leaving the Refinery (restaurant) at night, they’ll see the lights on in my windows.”

Cleanse Apothecary
5127 N. Florida Ave.
813-374-0305 

Owner: Greg Curtis

Opened: October 2010.

All natural: “All our fragrances are essential oils, certified organic, and not synthetic,” Curtis said. That’s the case with all of Cleanse’s stock, according to Curtis, whether it’s perfumes, body lotions, soaps, candles, or even household cleaning products. No petrol chemicals or preservatives, either.

But does all this mean over-priced? Not really. Perfumes range from $34 to $65, body lotions $16-$30. All hand-made soaps are $9.50. Curtis said Cleanse’s product lines are smaller independents, and therefore don’t employ the cost-inflating advertising and packaging that bigger department store lines use.

Light a candle for better breathing: All of Cleanse’s scented candles have fragrances that are essential oil based—rather than petrol-based—are made from soy or beeswax and use lead-free cotton wicks. All these factors mean candles that burn cleaner than regular candles. They can top out at $40, but Curtis such candles can burn for 60 hours.

Haven’t heard of these? That’s the point: A boutique is supposed to carry product lines that don’t hog shelves at Target. Some of Cleanse’s include Deep Steep, Fauna, Pre de Provence, Thymes, Acorelle, Les Senteurs Gourmandes and Royal Apothic.

Also offered: Books and gift baskets.

On the store’s Ipod play mix: Adele, Ella Fitzgerald, Lisa Stansfield, Robin Thicke, Scissor Sisters, Madonna, among others.

Web Site: Curtis said he hopes to have clenanseapothecary.com up sometime in the fall. In the meantime, go to cleanseapothecary.blogspot.com.

Hours: Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.