WEST TAMPA - Wanting to take advantage of an economic upswing in the area, owners of Hillsboro Plaza will make improvements to the decades-old shopping center.

Ellis and Co. of Tarpon Springs will tear down five retail stores totaling 5,100 square feet to create about 50 parking spaces. It also plans to spend more than $1 million to rehabilitate the shopping center, which includes a Publix, Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership, Bealls Outlet and Dollar Tree.

The stores will be demolished next year, and the rehabilitation is tentatively set to begin in May 2009 and end in December 2009, said John Hotchkiss, leasing and acquisition director for Carlen Realty of Tarpon Springs, which manages and leases the property.

Hotchkiss said average household income within a 1-mile radius of the shopping center increased from $32,000 in 1990 to $44,500 in 2000-01.

One goal is to lease space to businesses, possibly a restaurant, that can attract workers and residents from the area, Hotchkiss said. The shopping center, 2616-2750 W. Hillsborough Ave., is near St. Joseph's Hospital and medical offices.

"We want to make sure we have a good mix," he said. "Right now we are definitely lacking in the restaurant category."

Hotchkiss said Ellis and Co. has received interest from national chains, but he would not name the companies. The center has 15,500 square feet of available space, he said.

Built in 1960, the center last was rehabilitated in 1996. Ellis and Co. spent about $2.2 million, Hotchkiss said, and Publix rebuilt its store.

A Publix spokeswoman said the company doesn't have expansion plans for its plaza store.

Danny Bui, owner of Nails Jazz, said he has to move out by the end of the year because of the demolition plans. He has negotiated to move into a larger space in the shopping center.

He supports the demolition because it will increase the center's visibility. He also welcomes established chains moving to the plaza.

"I think it is going to be successful," said Bui, who purchased the 15-year-old nail salon last month. "The more tenants, the more busy the shopping center."

Bernardo Trujillo, owner of Lubertru Wellness and Beauty, said he has a verbal agreement to stay until February.

He said he has received little information from the property owner about the pending changes. He said he learned of the demolition in April and worries his investment in creating an ambience for his yoga and massage studio has been wasted.

Hotchkiss said he talked with affected tenants about relocating in the shopping center or moving to another Ellis and Co. plaza.

"I have tried to convey as much information as we have with our tenants," he said. "Any lack of information has not been because we have been withholding anything."

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 835-2110 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.