Vroom with a View

Customers who walk into Charles Calise's new business might do a double take or check the address to make sure they're in the right place.

The business is tire and auto repair, but it looks, feels and even smells more like a hip urban hotel lobby. Cushy chairs, 60-inch plasma TVs and sleek track lights fill the room.

Calise says that's exactly the idea behind Signature Tire & Auto Care. The business opened in early July in a converted U.S. Post Office building on West Kennedy Boulevard in South Tampa. Calise spent at least $2 million on the project, including the building purchase, renovation and equipment.