After nearly a decade on Tampa’s barbecue scene, AL’S FINGER LICKING GOOD SOUL FOOD recently opened its doors in Ybor City. An off-shoot of Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que, the new spot will serve dishes like oxtails, baked chicken, pot roast and pork chops.
Banking and credit card company CAPITAL ONE has announced plans to open a new cafe this year in Tampa’s Hyde Park Village with an emphasis on “café-style service.” Patrons and residents of the surrounding area will be able to enjoy free wifi, espresso, baked goods and a relaxing environment to unwind or manage their finances.
Slated for opening in March, CASS STREET DELI will feature New York style Jewish meals, casual grab-and-go service and a carryout-focused menu featuring high quality meats, like pastrami and sausages, and soups. The deli will also feature a brunch menu and breakfast service on Saturdays and Sundays.
Preparing to launch three new Tampa locations, POKÉWORKS will soon debut in the University of South Florida area. Featuring new and interesting takes on Hawaiian-inspired bowls, burritos and salads, the first of the three restaurants is scheduled to open its door this February on Fowler Avenue.
Three Tampa residents are throwing the first-ever TAMPA TACO FEST from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 9 at Al Lopez Park. Confirmed vendors include Lolis Mexican Cravings, Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila, Mission Taco and Buddy Brew Coffee.
PUBLIX purchased the retail space it will soon occupy on the bottom floor of the Channel Club apartment tower for $7.7 million. Situated along Meridian Avenue on the corner of East Twiggs Street, the grocery store is expected to open sometime around May.
The coworking company WEWORK will move in to two floors of the Heights Union office building under construction near Armature Works in 2020. Located on the corner of North Tampa Street and Oak Avenue, the office building is part of SoHo Capital’s — the developer of Armature Works — larger Heights project.
West Coast gym chain EōS FITNESS is expanding east with five locations in Tampa scheduled to open this year. Known for their low cost monthly memberships, EōS locations offers amenities like “The Yard,” a large turf area for battle rope and weighted sled workouts, plus a cinema where members can watch movies during their workouts. Specific locations have not yet been announced.
Palm Harbour-based GRAIN & BERRY is in negotiations to open a location in the downtown or Channel District area — possibly at Sparkman Wharf — in the coming months. This local franchise specializes in healthy bowls of all kinds, including acai (the berry), oatmeal (the grain), spirulina, pitaya, kale and yogurt bowls. Additional nutrient-packed offerings include smoothies, fresh juices, avocado toast, and yogurt-based parfaits and banana splits.
Stay Alfred has opened its first LUXURY TRAVEL APARTMENTS in Tampa at downtown’s Nine15, marking the company’s 29th U.S. market. Each travel apartment features one or two bedrooms with free wifi, dedicated living spaces, a full kitchen, washer-dryer, and self-guided check-in process. Stay Alfred chooses city neighborhoods based on their proximity to entertainment and amenities.
Plans have been filed with the city for a SOULCYCLE to join the offerings at Hyde Park Village. The New York City-based fitness studio has helped turn cycling into a nationwide exercise phenomenon since opening in 2006; the company is currently hiring team members to staff the Tampa studio.
Tampa’s CIGAR CITY BREWING was named the fourth-best brewer on RateBeer’s list of the top 100 brewers in the world. Angry Chair Brewing and St. Pete’s Cycle Brewing also made the list, which was not ordered beyond the top 10.
