GULFPORT, Fla. — Barbara Banno loves Gulfport, loves Tampa Bay and loves the tourists who visit her charming Stella's empire every time they're back in town.
"I try to find exactly what this community is looking for so I can give back to them," she says.
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On bustling Beach Boulevard, Stella's brunch spot — her OG business (try the fried green tomatoes) — is the heart of Gulfport.
But she wanted to add more to the town, so she expanded along the block, recently opening Stella's Divine Wine & Gourmet, a cozy hub of fine cheeses, smoked salmon and a lot of wine.
She also unveiled Stella's Sundries, a fun classic tchotchke shop that celebrates the namesake nun — beloved Aunt Stella — and the neighborhood.
"It's overwhelming that I have built such a great business where people come here to feel the experience that I wanted to give," says Barbara. "They're really feeling my experience of love and home."
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