Tampa finally lands a Crate & Barrel

After a decade-long flirtation, International Plaza in Tampa has landed Crate & Barrel, a housewares and home decor chain known for its white porcelain dinnerware and spotless, almost antiseptic, room displays.

The two-story stand-alone store won't be inside the mall, but on four acres at the highly visible entrance fronting the northeast corner of Boy Scout and West Shore boulevards.

Construction begins soon on the store, which is scheduled to open in spring 2009. Founded in 1962 by newlyweds impressed with minimalist look of modern European decor on their honeymoon, Crate & Barrel has grown to 160 stores and a popular direct-mail order business. Locally it's trying to crack a niche held for about 20 years by Williams Sonoma and its Pottery Barn chain that has been copied by big home and department stores.

-- Mark Albright, Times staff writer