East Bay Grad Returns To Tampa Bay To Open 5th Luxury Shop

SOUTH TAMPA, FL --Sunni Spencer, a luxury brand of high-end beach destination wear, accessories and home decor, will open in Hyde Park Village Monday, May 20, paving the way for similar upscale merchants looking to occupy space in the village's new building. The 748-square-foot shop is located at 1610 West Snow Ave.

The store, named after its founder, has roots in Tampa. Owner Sunni Spencer grew up in Ruskin and graduated from East Bay High School. She recently returned to Tampa, bringing with her almost two decades of executive merchant experience within the luxury retail industry. During her career, she collaborated with the most notable designers in the world including Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, Reem Acra and Marchesa.

Spencer, whose first job out of high school was for a merchant at Hyde Park Village in the 1990s, never imagined she would one day return to open up her own shop within the same footprint — let alone set the stage for similar high-end businesses.

"Sunni Spencer is a perfect fit for the Tampa Bay area and for Hyde Park Village," said Kayla Swisher, marketing manager at Hyde Park Village. "Sunni takes great care in carefully crafting the brands she carries in her shop and we think our community will really appreciate this attention to detail and beauty that she will be bringing to the property."

This is Spencer's fifth store, which was inspired by her passion for the ocean, travel and tropical destinations. In addition to a collection of ready-to-wear dresses, the shop carries everything needed for a day at the beach including handmade, airy kaftans, colorful espadrilles, beach totes and sunglasses.

Additionally, the shop carries ocean-inspired home goods like fragrances, artwork and candles.
In addition to offering a unique personalized shopping experience, Spencer said her inventory is sustainable, handmade and artisanal. And 75 percent of her merchandise comes from companies owned by female entrepreneurs.

"My mother shopped at Hyde Park Village when I was little and my first job was here," Spencer said. "This is like coming home. We want people to feel like they're family here."

Spencer joins her sister, Misty Akers, whose candle-making experience shop, The Candle Pour, opened in Hyde Park Village last month.

See related story: The Candle Pour To Celebrate Hyde Park Village Opening Thursday