Oct. 12--Orlando-based Barnie's Coffee & Tea Co. continues its return into malls.

Barnie's has announced that a new location will open at Orlando Fashion Square in mid-November.

The retailer also opened at the Altamonte Mall in Altamonte Springs on Friday.

Barnie's is opening mall stores here and around the Tampa Bay area in old Starbucks locations.

Barnie's sold dozens of mall-based locations to Starbucks three years ago. The Seattle-based coffee giant has since abandoned many of those malls.

Customers can stop in for a cup of coffee but can also buy dozens of varieties of packaged coffees and teas. The stores also will sell gift baskets, mugs, and coffee and tea makers.

"We have more stuff to sell other than a cup of coffee," founder Phil Jones said. "We think it's going to be a home run."

The eclectic Bullfish in Baldwin Park will soon have something new to offer customers: Mail service.

The store expects to open a contract postal unit next month, co-owner Jeff Brow said. At the mini-postal center, visitors can buy stamps and send mail.

"We knew there was a need for it in Baldwin Park," Brow said. "It also drives a lot of traffic."

Visitors will be able to buy stamps and send mail and packages. The postal center will not offer money order cashing or post office box rental.

New Avenue addresses

Some changes have come to Winter Park's Park Avenue.

Jeff Brow and his business partner Brian Wettstein reopened the Doggie Door on Winter Park's Park Avenue earlier this month. At more than 2,400 square feet, the new store at 329 N. Park Ave., near Panera Bread, is bigger than ever.

Caswell-Massey, which sells bath products and fragrances, has closed its Park Avenue location. Wright & Co. took over the space, opening Friday. A home remodeling center called Home Resource Gallery has moved into Wright & Co's old space.

Vacant space gets spooky

Halloween stores have popped up in many locations left vacant this year by retailers and other businesses that closed.

Among the locations spotted: The former Pier 1 Imports in Apopka, Bally in Altamonte Springs and Conway's Home Furnishings, also in Altamonte.

Vacancies spiral higher

Speaking of vacant space, a report released recently by real estate-research firm Reis Inc. said the vacancy rate at U.S. strip centers -- 10.3 percent -- reached a 17-year high in 2009's third quarter.

Mall vacancy rates of 8.6 percent reached their highest point in at least 10 years. Reis said this marks the first time it has observed a full year of asking rent declines in its decade-long history of tracking regional malls. The year-over-year decline of 3.5 percent in asking rent is the largest decrease on record.

More than 30 percent of retail properties completed this year were at least half empty.

Mall goes to dogs, cat

Pet Rescue by Judy is temporarily opening an adoption center at Oviedo Marketplace. Pet Rescue plans to operate from noon to 5 p.m. every weekend until Christmas, starting in November. The center is across from Calendar Club. The center will also be open from noon to 5 p.m. this Saturday.

Helmet shop expands

After years in Daytona Beach, The Helmet Shop has opened a second location, this one in east Orange County. The store opened last week in the Lake Underhill Business Center, near a Harley Davidson store. The Helmet Shop sells helmets and motorcycle-themed apparel.

Sandra Pedicini can be reached at spedicini@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5240.

To see more of The Orlando Sentinel or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.OrlandoSentinel.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, The Orlando Sentinel, Fla.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

<< -- 10/13/2009>>