SORRENTO SWEETS is moving into Hyde Park Village. The Italian bakery sells cookies, pastries, gelato shakes and espresso drinks. It will be taking Florist Fire’s previous location and is expected to open sometime this fall.
The UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA is ranked No. 58 among public universities nationwide, according to the new U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges ranking. This position is up 10 spots from last year. The university also jumped 16 spots to No. 124 among all public and private universities.
A major expansion of the BIG BEND CHANNEL at Port Tampa Bay can finally begin thanks to a $47.9 million contract. Great Lakes Dredge & Docks Co. was awarded the contract by the Army Corps of Engineers to deepen, widen and expand sections of the channel. The upgrade will improve movement throughout the port and allow larger ships to enter.
VISIT TAMPA BAY won Florida’s top award for creativity in public relations, the Henry. Named after Henry Flagler, the award recognizes outstanding tourism marketing. The organization won the award because of its international partnership with the UK-based Norwich City Football Club.
FIT BOWL CO. opened a new location in South Tampa within Kodawari Yoga Studios. This is the cafe’s second location, its first being a small 60 square-foot space on Davis Islands. Fit Bowl Co. offers acai and pitaya bowls, coffee, matcha drinks and smoothies at the new location.
A new restaurant is being added to Armature Works. OAK & OLA is a “Euro-American” restaurant opened by James Beard-winning chef Anne Kearney. Development is underway, with a projected early 2019 opening for the 100-seat restaurant.
BUSCH GARDENS revealed plans for a new roller coaster for spring 2019. Tigris will be Florida’s tallest launch roller coaster, catapulting its riders 150 feet into the air at speeds of 60 miles per hour. This will be the eighth roller coaster in the park, joining kiddie coaster, Air Grover, and the thrilling dive coaster, Sheikra.
“BBQ Pitmasters” star Lee Ann Whippen is opening a new restaurant named the DEVILED PIG at 3307 South Dale Mabry Highway. Whippen, who defeated Bobby Flay and appeared on the television show “Chopped,” is opening the restaurant with Jennifer Daskevich, who she met at the World Food Champion-ships. Set to open in October, the restaurant will serve barbecue, smoked meats and sandwiches.
CAPITAL TACOS is launching its second location in Hillsborough County with its expansion into Amalie Arena. Its concession stand will serve tacos, rice bowls, salads, and chips and salsa. Tampa Bay Lightning players will team up with the taco joint throughout the season to create and name a signature Taco of the Month. A portion of the sales of the signature taco will go to a charity of the player’s choice.
Tampa Bay’s oldest bakery, ALESSI BAKERY, celebrated its 106th anniversary in September. Established in 1912, the business has been passed down for four generations within the Alessi family. The bakery is known for its baked goods and custom wedding cakes.
