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D-RAYS: WHERE HAS ALL THE SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT GONE?

          D-Rays Managing General Partner Vince Naimoli is
     "unhappy with the response from area merchants" toward the D-
     Rays, according to Marc Topkin of the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES. 
     Naimoli said that he "doesn't understand why stores are not
     stocking up" on team, "why area businesses are not posting
     signs and countdown to Opening Day clocks," or why hotels and
     motels are not buying season-tickets and planning promos. 
     Naimoli: "People just don't appreciate how big this is going
     to be."  Naimoli said while the response to luxury suite
     sales and sponsorships -- "essentially from the area's larger
     corporations" -- has been "strong," it is the "perceived lack
     of interest from smaller businesses" that has "caught his
     eye."   Naimoli, noting the lack of D-Ray merchandise in area
     stores: "We get complaints from people all the time that they
     can't buy our merchandise, and they're right."  Topkin notes
     that the D-Rays "might share some of that blame" as the team
     has no retail outlets of its own in Pinellas or Hillsborough
     counties (ST. PETE. TIMES, 3/16).

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