Tampa was recently ranked as one of the BEST COLLEGE CITIES in the United States. In a list compiled by financial website WalletHub, Tampa ranked fourth out of more than 400 cities. WalletHub cited the city’s number of attractions, cost of living, quality of higher education and low crime rate in its ranking.
BUDDY BREW COFFEE is opening its sixth Tampa location. Situated on Palma Ceia’s Bay to Bay Boulevard, the coffee shop will share a space with the ice cream shop Chill Bros. Founded out of Dave and Susan Ward’s Hyde Park garage, Buddy Brew opened its first storefront on Kennedy Boulevard in 2010.
Tampa was named one of the best TECH TOWNS in the U.S. The list of cities, compiled by the technology professional trade association CompTIA, ranked Tampa at No. 19. The rankings considered the city’s cost of living, salaries, job postings and growth percentages. Tampa was recognized for its investment opportunities and cost of living compared to wages.
LYFT announced the winners of the annual Lyftie Awards, given to the destinations most often frequented by Lyft riders in a particular city. Franklin Manor was named Tampa’s most visited destination, while Armature Works won ‘most celebrated venue,’ Ybor City was the ‘best late night neighborhood,’ and Centro Ybor’s streetcar station was named ‘Tampa’s top transit spot.’
A favorite St. Petersburg dive bar and burger spot is heading to this side of the bay. DEAD BOB’S TOO will open in the coming months in the former Reily’s Westshore Taphouse on Westshore Boulevard. The new spot will feature late-night food and drinks and will be open until 3 a.m.
Homes.com ranked Tampa as one of the United States’ most PET-FRIENDLY cities for renters. In the report, Tampa was ranked as the country’s fourth-best city for apartment, condo and rental-home dwellers with pets. Nearly 60% of Tampa’s available rentals are classified as pet-friendly.
THE BLIND TIGER COFFEE has replaced Foundation Coffee at Sparkman Wharf. Founded in Ybor City, this is Blind Tiger’s sixth location. The new waterfront shop features espresso, nitro cold brew, beer and wine, kombucha and tea, plus breakfast sandwiches and gluten-free pastries. Blind Tiger opens at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
FLY BAR is reopening in a new location. The popular bar and restaurant, which closed in its longtime Franklin Street home in 2018, is opening in its new spot across from the University of Tampa on West Kennedy Boulevard early this year. The new location will have patio seating, while the menu will feature both old favorites and new offerings.
Hyde Park Village has added the men’s performance apparel brand MIZZEN + MAIN to its growing list of retailers. This is Mizzen + Main’s first location on Florida’s west coast. The brand focuses on premium men’s apparel made with performance fabrics in tailored silhouettes.
KING CORONA CIGARS is opening a second location at International Plaza’s Bay Street. The Ybor City staple will take over the former Zen Bistro location, with indoor and outdoor seating and a focus on liquor, coffee and a variety of cigars. King Corona is expected to open in early 2020.
GRAZE 1910, a breakfast and lunch-focused spot inside Armature Works’ Heights Public Market, will soon open its second location. The restaurant, which will be known simply as Graze, will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the former home of The Nest, across from Plant High School on South Dale Mabry. Opening is expected in early 2020.
