TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL was named the best hospital in the Tampa-St. Petersburg metro area by U.S. News & World Report on its annual Best Hospitals list. The hospital also ranked in the top 50 nationwide in five specialties: diabetes and endocrinology; gastroenterology and GI surgery; nephrology; orthopedics; and urology.
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A new ice cream and pastry shop, LITTLE MIDWAY, is now open on South Howard Avenue. Created by the team behind Bern’s Steak House, they promise to serve classic flavors with a few twists sprinkled in. The shop will be led by Heather Birr and Michelle Guy, both of Bern’s pastry team.
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A second NOBLE RICE location is coming to Hyde Park, with a twist. The popular modern Japanese restaurant will open a sake shop and gourmet Japanese market with fine foods available for take out.
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CRU CELLARS will open a third location in the new Westshore Marina District. The offerings will be similar to that of its original Palma Ceia wine bar, including wines by the glass, small plates, charcuterie boards and bottles of unique and interesting wines from around the world, plus coffee and pastries. An official opening date has not yet been announced.
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The popular clothing store MADEWELL is set to open a location in Hyde Park Village within the next year. The store, owned by J. Crew, focuses on denim — including jeans, jackets and embroidery — and has found brick-and- mortar success with millennials nationwide.
Tampa is the fifth-best city for RECREATION in the country, according to a new ranking by WalletHub. The study considered leisure activities, parks, property values and more. Tampa was ranked right behind Honolulu, Orlando, Las Vegas and San Diego.
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Another new PUBLIX is coming to South Tampa. This one will be built on the old Sports Authority property at Westshore and Kennedy. The 36,000-square-foot store will feature covered patio seating for guests. An official opening date has not yet been announced.
Water Street Tampa’s JW MARRIOTT topped out in mid-July, making it the district’s first building to complete vertical construction. With 26 floors, 30,000 square feet of ballroom space and two full-service restaurants, the hotel is on pace to open by the end of 2020, just in time for the Tampa-hosted 2021 Super Bowl.
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Tampa’s newest lifestyle hotel, HOTEL ALBA, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel, is now open in Westshore. Named after the Spanish word for sunrise, “alba,” the design of the hotel reflects the unique local history and culture of Tampa. The hotel is decorated with historical photographs and houses a restaurant, The Spaniard, that offers food and drink with authentic Tampa flavors.
A second PANE RUSTICA is now open at Armature Works. The South Tampa bakery and bistro is known for its freshly baked breads, pastries, flatbreads and changing daily specials. An opening date has yet to be announced, but the new location will be moving in to the stall previously occupied by Inside the Box Cafe.
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BIG RAY’S FISH CAMP is now open at the newly renovated Sail Pavilion along the Tampa Riverwalk. This is the second location for Nick Cruz’s seafood restaurant, known for its blackened grouper sandwich, grouper Reuben, lobster corn dog and fried Key lime pie.
