Briefs
Headlines and short briefs from the Tampa Bay Certified editorial desk. 46 published.
Briefs
46 items
FOOD · YBOR CITY
Laurie and Teresa Rodriguez open Bookends bookstore-wine bar in Ybor City
Tampa natives Laurie and Teresa Rodriguez soft-opened Bookends: Literature and Libations at 2208 in Ybor City on June 25.
Jul 1, 2026
FOOD · UNIVERSITY AREA
Slap Burger opens near USF with halal smashburgers from the Northeast
Northeast smashburger chain Slap Burger has opened near USF with a halal menu of smashed beef, hot chicken, and banana pudding.
Jun 30, 2026
OPENINGS · SOUTH TAMPA
Sweathouz opens South Tampa studio with private sauna and cold-plunge suites
The national contrast-therapy chain is targeting a fall 2026 South Tampa opening with infrared saunas, cold plunges, and Vitamin-C showers.
Jun 30, 2026
FOOD · PINELLAS PARK
Elsewhere Records opens permanent vinyl shop inside Beerbusters Movie Bar on July 10
The Pinellas Park Blockbuster-style bar is adding a permanent vinyl retail presence through a partnership with Elsewhere Records.
Jun 29, 2026
FOOD · GULFPORT
Mademoiselle Paris opens inside Gulfport's Peninsula Bed & Cocktails
Myriam and Jean Dandonneau's French concept runs as a morning café and full evening bistro on Beach Boulevard South.
Jun 29, 2026
FOOD · MIDTOWN TAMPA
Pura Vida Miami heads to Midtown Tampa for its third Florida location
The 50-location all-day café, founded in 2012, is joining CorePower Yoga in the Midtown Tampa development.
Jun 28, 2026
OPENINGS · GULFPORT
Lindsay Caskey and rapper Caskey open Arcana in a converted Gulfport art studio
Arcana opened June 14 at 1303 49th St. S in Gulfport, inside a converted art studio offering tarot, reiki, and aura photography.
Jun 26, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Bodega Mini Mart NYC Deli opens in the former Taco Bus on N Franklin
Khalil Mohammad brings a chopped cheese and late-night bodega concept to the former Taco Bus at 505 N Franklin Street in Downtown Tampa.
Jun 26, 2026
EVENTS · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
DJ Redness Launches a Weekly Thursday Residency at 511 Franklin
The Tampa DJ and producer brings his open-format sound to the downtown venue starting June 25, with no cover at the door.
Jun 24, 2026
EVENTS · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
511 Franklin launches Thursday night series with Tampa producer DJ Redness
511 Franklin kicks off its Thursday series June 25 with Tampa producer DJ Redness on open-format from 9 to close, no cover.
Jun 24, 2026
FOOD · BRANDON
Two Fold opens at The Garrison House in Brandon, pairing coffee with natural wine
Jason Smith's Two Fold pairs single-origin coffee with natural wine inside Brandon's Garrison House workspace.
Jun 24, 2026
EVENTS · TAMPA
Night Nation Run returns to Raymond James Stadium for an after-dark 5K on June 27
The touring nighttime 5K threads a course through music stages, black lights, and laser shows, with run waves starting at 8:30 p.m.
Jun 24, 2026
FOOD · WEST RIVER
Supernatural Food & Wine expands to West River, launches sourdoughnut subscription
The Tampa shop is opening a West River production facility and a sourdoughnut subscription with home delivery at $15.
Jun 23, 2026
FOOD · GULFPORT
O'Maddy's opens its long-delayed rooftop on Boca Ciega Bay in Gulfport
The Gulfport waterfront bar debuted its second-story deck the weekend of June 22, completing a project stalled by the 2024 hurricane season.
Jun 23, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE
Naked Farmer takes over former EVOS space on 4th Street North in St. Pete
The farm-to-table chain's second St. Pete location will be its 4th Tampa Bay outpost and 8th statewide, planned for summer 2026.
Jun 23, 2026
EVENTS · TAMPA
Tampa Bay Times Boat Show returns to the Florida State Fairgrounds June 26–28
Tampa Bay Times Boat Show returns June 26–28 to the Florida State Fairgrounds, free to attend, with a three-day seminar series.
Jun 22, 2026
FOOD · NEW TAMPA
Ugly Dumpling opens its Florida debut in New Tampa's former TGI Fridays
The East Coast soup dumpling chain, with 12 locations and 8 more on the way, claims the shuttered TGI Fridays in New Tampa.
Jun 22, 2026
FOOD · HYDE PARK
Rome + Fig Global Bistro closes on S. Hyde Park Ave. after six years
Eric and Kristine Zostant's globally-inspired bistro will end cocktail service June 28, closing out a six-year run on Hyde Park Ave.
Jun 22, 2026
EVENTS · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Cordova Inn debuts its new rooftop with a Pride Party in downtown St. Pete
The hotel's newly renovated rooftop opens June 27 for a Pride weekend celebration steps from the parade route.
Jun 19, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Chef Jeremy Duclut opens Marcel in the former Left Bank Bistro space in downtown St. Pete
The French-inspired Marcel takes over the former Left Bank Bistro with a roughly 25-dish menu planned for September.
Jun 19, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE
Chef Andrew Duncan closes Baba, launches Kaixo and Barra Barra in St. Pete
The seven-year Mediterranean standout is being replaced by two Iberian concepts from the same ownership team under the same roof.
Jun 19, 2026
EVENTS · TAMPA
Checkers parks its Fry Love Express at Cinco Soccer for free fries June 18–20
The 43-foot branded truck hands out Checkers' seasoned fries at no charge during FIFA Club World Cup watch parties.
Jun 18, 2026
FOOD
Buddy Brew expands into Sprouts Farmers Market with 10 cafés across Tampa Bay
Tampa's Buddy Brew will open 10 in-store cafés inside Sprouts Farmers Markets, starting in Westchase.
Jun 18, 2026
FOOD · WESTSHORE
The Sourdoughist debuts on Westshore Blvd with a loaf-for-loaf donation model
The German-inspired small-batch bakery donates one loaf for every loaf sold from its Westshore Boulevard location.
Jun 18, 2026
OPENINGS · TAMPA
Replay Sports Cards opens in Tampa, expanding its Southeast chain
The Boca Raton-based chain is adding a Tampa location with graded cards, submission services, and trade nights.
Jun 17, 2026
FOOD · TAMPA HEIGHTS
Café Rialto opens inside Tampa Heights' 102-year-old Rialto Theatre
The historic movie palace's ground floor now houses a walk-in café and a reservations-only afternoon tearoom.
Jun 17, 2026
OPENINGS · ST. PETE BEACH
Postcard Inn reopens as The Luce on St. Pete Beach
The 1950s-era Gulf-front hotel has rebranded and reopened following renovations tied to Hurricane Helene's impact on the island.
Jun 17, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETERSBURG
Atomic Cat Cafe opens on Gandy with retro lounge concept and Tampa-roasted coffee
The St. Pete-owned cafe serves Wuz Here coffee and cat-themed lattes across two vintage-styled rooms on Gandy Boulevard.
Jun 16, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE
Mark Ferguson and John Delladonna acquire The Chattaway in St. Pete
The founders of Ferg's and Shrimpy's have purchased the 75-year-old St. Pete restaurant after an uncertain period for its future.
Jun 16, 2026
EVENTS · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
OPEN AER launches a free makers market at AER Tampa on June 20
The free cultural event runs 2–6 PM at 300 W Tyler St, combining local artists, live music, and vendors along the Riverwalk.
Jun 16, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE
Good Intentions closes in St. Pete after four years as a vegan and community anchor
The plant-based restaurant and LGBTQ+ gathering space cited ongoing economic challenges in its closing announcement.
Jun 15, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Forbici Modern Italian opens June 24 at Sundial in the former Sea Salt space
The Tampa Italian concept debuts in a 12,000-square-foot, 350-seat room with daily live music in downtown St. Pete.
Jun 15, 2026
FOOD · YBOR CITY
Victor Lopez and Osyamil Milan debut D'Rose Gastrobar in Ybor City
The Colombian-Cuban gastrobar from chefs Victor Lopez and Osyamil Milan is planned for July in Ybor City.
Jun 15, 2026
REAL ESTATE · GANDY
Epoch Properties plans 345-unit Live Local redevelopment on Gandy Boulevard
The Winter Park developer will bring 345 apartments—138 affordable for 30 years—to the former Gandy Commercial Plaza site.
Jun 13, 2026
FOOD · OLD NORTHEAST
Old Northeast Tavern returns to 7th Avenue North with its first full bar
Wareham and Brindle plan to reopen the St. Pete neighborhood tavern later in 2026 with a full liquor bar and Old Northeast Pizza merged in.
Jun 13, 2026
OPENINGS · WEST ST. PETE
PGA TOUR Superstore opens its first Pinellas County store in west St. Pete
The 29,600-square-foot store in the Crosswinds Shopping Center is the chain's twelfth in Florida and second in Tampa Bay, ten months after it signed the lease on the former Bealls space.
Jun 12, 2026
OPENINGS · ST. PETE
PGA TOUR Superstore debuts at Crosswinds Shopping Center, Pinellas County's first
The 29,600-square-foot golf retailer opens June 13 at 2020 66th Street, St. Pete, as the chain's twelfth Florida location.
Jun 12, 2026
REAL ESTATE · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Waldorf Astoria Residences clears $200M in presales on St. Pete's waterfront
The 50-story tower has secured over $200 million in presales, including a record $27 million penthouse, before breaking ground.
Jun 12, 2026
FOOD · GULFPORT
Sober Bar opens in Gulfport with zero-proof cocktails and kava
The alcohol-free concept debuts June 16 with a menu of non-alcoholic cocktails, kava, coffee, and shareable bites.
Jun 11, 2026
FOOD · SOUTH TAMPA
Ivry. opens on Dale Mabry with pistachio lattes and a Middle Eastern café menu
Areej and Jareer debuted the South Tampa café in May with za'atar flatbreads, crème brûlée donuts, and specialty espresso drinks.
Jun 11, 2026
FOOD · PINELLAS PARK
Sisters Kim Vo and Tammy Lien open Oou Cha on 34th Street North in Pinellas Park
Vo and Lien open Oou Cha at 6251 34th St N in Pinellas Park with overseas-sourced teas and single-cultivar Okumidori matcha.
Jun 11, 2026
NEIGHBORHOODS
Howard Frankland Bridge sees elevated summer crash activity as daily crossings top 170,000
The I-275 bay crossing between Tampa and St. Petersburg concentrates crash risk on a four-mile open-water stretch with no alternate routes.
Jun 10, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE
Idyll Vice opens a dirty soda bar on Central Avenue in St. Pete
Idyll Vice brings customizable soft drinks, coffee, baked goods, and a rotating wine program to Central Avenue in St. Pete this June.
Jun 8, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
La Victoria takes over the former Melting Pot Social space on Tampa's Riverwalk
The 3,800-square-foot coastal Mexican restaurant is targeting a September opening at Ave Tampa Riverwalk.
Jun 5, 2026
EVENTS · TAMPA
England faces New Zealand at Raymond James Stadium on June 6
England's World Cup squad, featuring Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, faces New Zealand at Raymond James on Saturday at 4 PM.
Jun 2, 2026
EVENTS · HEIGHTS
Champs Run Club returns to Armature Works on June 3 with 1,500 runners expected
The Tampa run club's free community 5K along the Riverwalk includes a post-run party with a live DJ, drinks, and Chill Bros. ice cream.
Jun 1, 2026