Pink Palm, the whimsical card and gift shop, closed its doors on July 7 after almost 25 years in business on Lincoln Road.

Fans need not worry, however, as two of the co-owners have opened a similar new store, Perfect Gifts, at 1516 Washington Ave. It opened on June 7.

“It’s the same concept with a little more — more children, more technology, more barware,” says co-owner Perry Martino. “We have listened to our customers over the years. Many have had babies, so we added more books and baby gifts; and some customers need to drink more, apparently.”

Martino, 49, and life/business partner Russ Root, 51, purchased Pink Palm approximately 23 years ago with a third co-owner, Rick Hanley. Previously located in a larger space on Lincoln Road for 17 years (now Aldo Shoes), the business had a three-year hiatus before moving to the now-closed site in 2008.

According to Martino, he and Root parted ways with Hanley after their new landlord (Terranova Group) notified them of a planned 200 percent rent increase (from $100 to $300 per square foot). He says Hanley plans to open a similar store in New York with another name (the Pink Palm moniker has been retired for legal reasons). Martino and Root, who live on Belle Isle, say they’ve signed a 15-year lease for their new space on Washington Avenue.

“Customers who might not have traveled to Washington Avenue previously are coming into Perfect Gifts, as well as locals who say they just don’t do Lincoln Road anymore,” says Martino, who estimates that business is divided equally between locals and tourists.

As far as competition from area drugstores, Martino says “the cards, gifts and accessories you find in our store are not to be found in Walgreens or CVS. They’re funny, they’re edgy. They start at nice and go to naughty.”

Perfect Gifts is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, call 305-397-8097 or visit www.PerfectGiftsSoBe.com.

HELPING THOSE WHO HELP THE ELDERLY

The Florida Art Therapy Association (FATA) will host a workshop designed to assist people who are helping older adult relatives. The “Moments of Joy” workshop will be held Friday, July 19, from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Ave. in South Beach.

The event is geared specifically for family caregivers — people who are helping senior family members with tasks such as grocery-shopping, housekeeping, driving, bathing, dressing and/or supervision.

“These caregivers are doing a tough yet rewarding job,” says Amanda Alders Pike, Ph.D., workshop facilitator and FATA president. “Our goal is to offer specialized support by teaching techniques including stress reduction and enhanced communication skills.”

The workshop is part of trio of summer art-related events for senior caregivers — and seniors themselves. The workshops are free, thanks to a $1,000 grant from CVS pharmacy.

“Arts have everything to do with perception. Perception changes as people get older, and teaching people to talk about perceptions can help them to relate to one another in a way that benefits the relationship,” Pike adds.

The nonprofit FATA provides education, professional development, training and political action for its members throughout the state. To learn more about the group and future events, visit www.floridaarttherapy.org.