New Baby Boutique Coming to Old Seminole Heights

A second commercial hot spot might be developing in Seminole Heights. The small clutch of newer businesses at the Hanna and Central avenues intersection will likely be joined by the Nursery Experience, tentatively by mid-May.

Co-owner Amy Jensen is currently renovating a small 1941 house at 6202 N. Central Ave. along with her business partner and fiance Juan Camacho. The couple are planning what Jensen describes as a "gallery boutique," with children's themed art, decor, baby blankets, baby cosmetics, plus an outdoor garden to host events like baby showers. 

Jensen and Camacho are scheduled for a hearing before the city zoning board on April 12. They will petition to change the property's designation from single family residential to commercial general. “We're not going to be building any other structures on the property," Jensen said. "We're just fixing up what's there, and adding our touch.”

Their touch includes a new exterior coat of lavender paint with dark purple trim, a similar color scheme inside, lots of plants, a gazebo and fountain out back, and lots of artwork inside. ”It was in very rough shape," Jensen, 28, said of the property, which county records show was bought by Camacho in August 2011. "It was definitely the eyesore on the block. We had to pretty much cosmetically do everything from scratch." 

Combined with , , and the pending , the Nursery Experience could help the Central and Hanna intersection rival Seminole Heights' current commercial hot spot, the stretch of North Florida Avenue between Hillsborough Avenue and Violet Street. 

Jensen has faith in her location for several reasons. Between the day cares of the nearby and , plus directly across the street, Jensen said the Nursery Experience "is a pretty appropriate use for that location." 

And as for Velo Champ, Health Mutt, and Mikey's, Jensen said, ”I would love to get involved in those businesses. I feel like our target market is probably similar. I think we can work hand-in-hand."

Jensen, a native of Philadelphia, is an artist who specializes in children's art and painting children's rooms in private homes. Camacho is a Tampa native, finance major at the University of South Florida, and currently works as a waiter at South Tampa's Pane Rustica. The couple live in Dunedin, but Jensen said they are planning to move to Tampa. 

Jensen said thenurseryexperience.com should be up soon. She can be contacted at amy@thenurseryexperience.com, and 813-679-6619.