FloridaFuture
January 27th, 2007, 12:30 AM
Good to get a history lesson once in a while. Too bad the guy doesn't agree with the tranformation.
Channel's Anchor
http://media.tbo.com/photos/trib/2007/jan/0125south2.jpg
The Korakis family, from left, Alexander, Tina, Lousie and Alexandros, work together to keep their company running smoothly around the clock and every day of the week. Photo: Cliff Mcbride/Tampa Tribune
By JANIS D. FROELICH The Tampa Tribune
Published: Jan 25, 2007
CHANNEL DISTRICT - The Korakis family isn't oblivious to the booming residential construction surrounding their Hellenic Ship Supply business.
But Alexandros and Louise Korakis and their children Alexander and Tina don't know the high-rise projects by name.
The family is too busy running a company that has grown in the Channel District since 1968. In 1977, Hellenic took over a pale yellow structure at 1016 Channelside Drive, which was known as 13th Street until about 10 years ago.
Alexander Korakis, who runs the global business his father founded, said developers' offers for his family's property have been nonstop the past few years.
"But my dad has his blood and sweat in this property," added Tina Korakis. "He's not about selling out."
None of the family get involved in the numerous community meetings deciding which projects to endorse or veto. But Louise Korakis, who also operates a real estate business out of the family's 5,000-square-foot office and warehouse, said she did attend a meeting when changing the name of 13th Street was broached.
"I said there should be 'Channel' in it because we are so close to the water," she recalled, laughing. "Someone asked who I was and I answered, 'Well, I'm an owner here.'"
Korakis, who these days limits the real estate work she began in the 1970s, said she wasn't aware of how much the Channel District was changing until she took her grandson on the streetcar.
"I'd see the progress but didn't really see it," she said of the dozen-plus residential complexes in various stages of construction. "But on the streetcar, it's all laid out as you pass by.
"I remarked at the time, 'We're the last standing building on Channelside!'"
Alexander Korakis said he isn't saddened by the departure of other warehouse businesses from the changing neighborhood.
"It's great for them," he said. "They're going to larger and better facilities."
He likes how cleaned up and improved the community will look soon with the opening of residential and retail projects such as Ventana, Grand Central at Kennedy and The Place.
His father, a retired ship captain and native of Greece, isn't happy about all the construction. He said the new buildings aren't set back enough from the curb to give pedestrians room.
"I also think the waterfront down here shouldn't be developed any more," he said, pointing across the street to the Tampa Port Authority complex area, where a Fairmont Hotel and condominium high-rises have been planned for years. "The city should put a park in there so the public can enjoy this area."
Serving oceangoing vessels from cruise ships to freighters, Hellenic and its eight employees supply everything from "toothpicks to anchors," Alexander Korakis said. There are thousands of items in the company's database, plus basics such as olive oil, juice and tuna stored in the warehouse.
"Ships are self-contained cities," he said. "Their needs are very vast. So anything they want, we can get."
Before cyberspace became a partner in the family business, Korakis said ship personnel gave the company more time to procure supplies.
"Now it's at cyberspeed," he said. "People want the world tomorrow."
William L. Robinson, executive director of the National Association of Marine Services, of which Alexander Korakis is on the board of directors, said ship suppliers run a service-orientated business.
"The deliveries aren't always at the best hours," said Robinson, who has managed the 43-member organization based in Colorado Springs, Colo., for 24 years. "A lot depends on the tides and whether you're delivering by watercraft or docking."
Robinson said association membership has been static for years, mainly because companies have consolidated or opened branches in other ports.
"The business depends on large-vessel traffic, so it has its ups and downs," he said. "It's for only the very dedicated."
Tina Korakis, 38, said taking care of vessels is a 24/7 job.
"Whether it's sending a container to the Caribbean or running down to this port, we have to handle a lot of different requests when they come in," she said. "I can remember toasting New Year's Eve from this office a few times."
Alexander Korakis, 36, an avid boater who keeps a 30-foot sailboat at the Davis Island Yacht Club, said working with his family is a positive thing.
"I love my family," he said. "We've stuck together all these years and have learned ways to get around issues here in the office."
Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.
http://southtampa.tbo.com/southtampa/MGBKRKT6CXE.html
Channel's Anchor
http://media.tbo.com/photos/trib/2007/jan/0125south2.jpg
The Korakis family, from left, Alexander, Tina, Lousie and Alexandros, work together to keep their company running smoothly around the clock and every day of the week. Photo: Cliff Mcbride/Tampa Tribune
By JANIS D. FROELICH The Tampa Tribune
Published: Jan 25, 2007
CHANNEL DISTRICT - The Korakis family isn't oblivious to the booming residential construction surrounding their Hellenic Ship Supply business.
But Alexandros and Louise Korakis and their children Alexander and Tina don't know the high-rise projects by name.
The family is too busy running a company that has grown in the Channel District since 1968. In 1977, Hellenic took over a pale yellow structure at 1016 Channelside Drive, which was known as 13th Street until about 10 years ago.
Alexander Korakis, who runs the global business his father founded, said developers' offers for his family's property have been nonstop the past few years.
"But my dad has his blood and sweat in this property," added Tina Korakis. "He's not about selling out."
None of the family get involved in the numerous community meetings deciding which projects to endorse or veto. But Louise Korakis, who also operates a real estate business out of the family's 5,000-square-foot office and warehouse, said she did attend a meeting when changing the name of 13th Street was broached.
"I said there should be 'Channel' in it because we are so close to the water," she recalled, laughing. "Someone asked who I was and I answered, 'Well, I'm an owner here.'"
Korakis, who these days limits the real estate work she began in the 1970s, said she wasn't aware of how much the Channel District was changing until she took her grandson on the streetcar.
"I'd see the progress but didn't really see it," she said of the dozen-plus residential complexes in various stages of construction. "But on the streetcar, it's all laid out as you pass by.
"I remarked at the time, 'We're the last standing building on Channelside!'"
Alexander Korakis said he isn't saddened by the departure of other warehouse businesses from the changing neighborhood.
"It's great for them," he said. "They're going to larger and better facilities."
He likes how cleaned up and improved the community will look soon with the opening of residential and retail projects such as Ventana, Grand Central at Kennedy and The Place.
His father, a retired ship captain and native of Greece, isn't happy about all the construction. He said the new buildings aren't set back enough from the curb to give pedestrians room.
"I also think the waterfront down here shouldn't be developed any more," he said, pointing across the street to the Tampa Port Authority complex area, where a Fairmont Hotel and condominium high-rises have been planned for years. "The city should put a park in there so the public can enjoy this area."
Serving oceangoing vessels from cruise ships to freighters, Hellenic and its eight employees supply everything from "toothpicks to anchors," Alexander Korakis said. There are thousands of items in the company's database, plus basics such as olive oil, juice and tuna stored in the warehouse.
"Ships are self-contained cities," he said. "Their needs are very vast. So anything they want, we can get."
Before cyberspace became a partner in the family business, Korakis said ship personnel gave the company more time to procure supplies.
"Now it's at cyberspeed," he said. "People want the world tomorrow."
William L. Robinson, executive director of the National Association of Marine Services, of which Alexander Korakis is on the board of directors, said ship suppliers run a service-orientated business.
"The deliveries aren't always at the best hours," said Robinson, who has managed the 43-member organization based in Colorado Springs, Colo., for 24 years. "A lot depends on the tides and whether you're delivering by watercraft or docking."
Robinson said association membership has been static for years, mainly because companies have consolidated or opened branches in other ports.
"The business depends on large-vessel traffic, so it has its ups and downs," he said. "It's for only the very dedicated."
Tina Korakis, 38, said taking care of vessels is a 24/7 job.
"Whether it's sending a container to the Caribbean or running down to this port, we have to handle a lot of different requests when they come in," she said. "I can remember toasting New Year's Eve from this office a few times."
Alexander Korakis, 36, an avid boater who keeps a 30-foot sailboat at the Davis Island Yacht Club, said working with his family is a positive thing.
"I love my family," he said. "We've stuck together all these years and have learned ways to get around issues here in the office."
Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.
http://southtampa.tbo.com/southtampa/MGBKRKT6CXE.html