Harbour’s Heart owners honor Lois Spencer’s legacy

When Lois Spencer passed away unexpectedly in the summer of 2014, her death left a void in Safety Harbor that would not easily be filled.

In addition to her longstanding role as Mrs. Claus in the city’s annual Holiday Parade as well as her dedication to numerous community organizations, Spencer was affectionately known as the antique lady, thanks to her constant presence at Antiques and Collectibles, her downtown shop.

Now, more than two years after her passing, new owners have taken over Spencer’s shop, and despite some light remodeling and modern twists, Tyson Duane and Daniel Kulach said they aim to honor Lois’ and her late husband, Joe’s, legacy with their new shop, Harbour’s Heart.

“People always say this place meant something to them,” Duane told Safety Harbor Connect in late December, a month after the store’s reopening, “and we felt we needed to honor that.”

This is the first foray into the antique business for the pair, who both grew up in the area.

After spotting the empty shop during a drive around town roughly 15 months ago, Kulach knew it was the perfect spot to open his first business.

“When I saw this shop, I told my mom it’s my dream, and I want it,” Kulach, a Clearwater native whose family owns a local motel, said.

The couple met with Spencer’s husband, Joe, who owned the store as well as a home and a studio behind it, and they were able to work out a deal for the entire property shortly before Joe Spencer’s death last August.

“Joe put the shop and the house up for sale, and he didn’t want it town down, because it meant a lot to him,” Kulach said. “It’s too bad he passed away before we opened. It was sad.”

“We told him we had no intention of tearing the buildings down, but building them back up,” Duane, who grew up in Safety Harbor, added. “It was unfortunate he didn’t live to see what we did to them.”

In addition to the remodel, which features an eye-catching new floor and a giant fish tank, the shop remains largely similar to when Spencer owned it; stuffed animals, figurines, antiques and knick-knacks line the many table tops and shelves throughout the store, and Kulach and Duane are quick to welcome patrons with warm conversation and even a fresh gelato.

“We specialize in home décor, but we’re adaptable based on requests,” Duane said.

“We’re trying to bring in 50 to 100 new items per week, because we don’t want things to get stale,” Kulach added.

The pair said they are considering adding a consignment option in the future.

“People keep asking us about consignment, but we’re waiting a couple of months before we get into that,” Kulach said.

They are also thinking about showcasing large furniture items in the space next door, and they hope the place becomes a haven for local artists.

“We’d love to have local artists here, too,” Duane added. “We want this to be a community thing.”

Kulach and Duane said they plan to have a grand opening in February, ideally around Valentine’s Day.

But for now, they are content to have accomplished their dream of opening a business in their hometown, one that holds a special place in the hearts of many Harborites.

“The reception so far has been great, with many people telling us they are so happy something finally opened here in Lois’ old shop,” Kulach said.

“My mom used to have stuff on consignment with here, so it really feels like we’ve come full circle,” Duane added. “It feels like we’re home.”

If you go: Harbour’s Heart

Address: 507 Main Street, Safety Harbor 34695

Phone: 727-725-4020

Website: harboursheart.com 

Related content:

• Safety Harbor icon Lois Spencer passes away at 83
• What’s next for Antiques and Collectibles in the wake of Lois Spencer’s passing?
• Safety Harbor Business Beat: January 2016