Duckweed welcomes artisan chocolates, plans to open new grocery in Channelside

Downtown Tampa residents accustomed to running into the Duckweed Urban Market to grab a sandwich, salad fixings or a bottle of wine now can also grab gourmet chocolates as they peruse the shelves of the beloved grocery.

When Ashworth Artisan Chocolate closed its doors last month, Duckweed Owners Michelle and Brent Deatherage opened their's to the chocolate company. The owners of the two businesses had met through the Tampa Bay Partnership and bicycle friendly business meetings, as well as being customers at each other’s stores.
 
The idea to move Ashworth’s business into Duckweed is a strategic one designed to benefit both parties.
 
“After having been in business for over eight years, Ashworth Artisan Chocolate has a loyal following of thousands of customers, many of whom may have never been to Duckweed before,” says Jessica Moore, Manager of Duckweed. “Now when Ashworth customers come in for their chocolate fix, they'll be introduced to everything Duckweed has to offer and might leave with a nice bottle of wine or a bouquet of fresh flowers to go with their box of chocolate truffles. By combining our customer bases, we are certain we will increase sales for both businesses.”

Duckweed, which started in 2011, in a 500-square-foot spot on Polk Street, has grown quite a bit to its current location in the Element building. Just as its name signifies, it has small but mighty roots.
 
“Duckweed itself is a teeny-tiny aquatic plant found throughout Florida, and is actually known as the smallest flowering plant, but it provides a large amount of nutrients to the aquatic life that feeds on it,” Moore says. “So we decided to name our tiny little store that brings nourishment to the people of downtown after the tiny plant. Since we have grown, we have thought about changing it, but customers and employees alike are too fond of our quirky name, so it has stuck.”
 
Soon the downtown location will not be the only Duckweed in Tampa. Plans for Duckweed in Channelside are underway, with a scheduled opening at The Place this winter.
 
“The store owners are residents of the Channel District, so they're acutely aware that their neighbors and residents such as themselves are lacking easily accessible groceries,” Moore says. “With Channelside's promising future on the minds of many locals, we felt that would be a great spot for the next installment of Duckweed.”
 
Duckweed at The Place in Channelside will also feature Ashworth Artisan Chocolate.