Tampa Front Desk: March 2021

TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART UNDERGOES $12 MILLION RENOVATION 

To accommodate Downtown Tampa’s growing community, the Tampa Museum of Art announced the finalization of plans to begin a $12 million renovation. Funded entirely by private donations, the renovations aim to expand the museum’s education programs and gallery space. Construction is slated to begin in May. However, no closures are anticipated.

WRESTLEMANIA 37  RETURNS  TO TAMPA

Under new safety protocols that have yet to be announced, Raymond James Stadium is set to host WrestleMania 37 in April. The WWE will coordinate with local partners and health officials to ensure the safety of those in attendance and will announce ticket availability in the coming weeks. Gov. Ron DeSantis projects the event will bring tens of millions of dollars to the Tampa area.

POPPO’S TAQUERIA OPENS DOWNTOWN

With locations in Sarasota, Anna Maria and St. Petersburg, Poppo’s Taqueria is headed to Downtown Tampa. The restaurant will be located at 302 E. Kennedy Blvd. and features a Mexican-inspired menu, reminiscent of the street food of San Francisco’s Mission District. In response to the pandemic, Poppo’s Taqueria will offer to-go and curbside pickup options.

GANGCHU BRINGS KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN TO SEMINOLE HEIGHTS

Noel Cruz, the owner of Ichicoro Ramen, is opening Gangchu, a Korean fried chicken restaurant, in Seminole Heights. The restaurant will be located at 6618 N. Nebraska Ave. and is currently under renovation. An official opening date has yet to be announced; however, the restaurant’s progress can be viewed on their Instagram, @eatgangchu.

NEW RESTAURANTS OPENING ON WATER STREET

One of the original restaurant concepts at Sparkman Wharf, The Corners, announced it would be opening a second location in Water Street Tampa early next year. The restaurant will operate on the ground floor of the new residential building Heron at 815 Water Street and offers customers a sit-down setting to enjoy The Corners’ square, Detroit-style pizza. Additionally, Sparkman Wharf has announced the opening of three more restaurant concepts. These eateries include Noble Rice, a modern Japanese restaurant known for having its ingredients flown in weekly from Japan, and The Battery, which is a sister concept to The C House restaurant in Seminole Heights. The Battery will feature fine bourbon as well as a private dining room and a full-service bar. Lastly, BurgerFi, known for its hormone- and steroid-free Angus beef burgers, will open its first Downtown Tampa location at Sparkman Wharf.

INSOMNIA COOKIES OPENS NEAR USF & SOHO

Insomnia Cookies, a bakery with shops in Orlando, Miami, Gainesville and Tallahassee known for its late-night delivery service, opened its first Bay-area locations at 5114 E. Fowler Ave., just across from the University of South Florida, and 533 S. Howard Ave., in the Shops on South Howard plaza. The bakery’s menu consists of nine classic cookie flavors, six “deluxe” cookie flavors, ice cream, cookie cakes and more.