Briefs
Headlines and short briefs from the Tampa Bay Certified editorial desk. 214 published.
Briefs
50 items
FOOD · WATER STREET TAMPA
Boulon Brasserie launches a daytime bakery menu in Water Street Tampa
The French-American brasserie adds a morning and lunch bakery program to its Water Street Tampa presence.
Jun 8, 2026
FOOD · SOUTH TAMPA
Beach House Coffee opens in South Tampa as café, bakery, and boutique
The pastel-pink café serves specialty coffee, fresh juices, and house-baked pastries Tuesday through Sunday in South Tampa.
Jun 8, 2026
FOOD · NORTHDALE
Mother's returns to Northdale with a new chef after nearly a year away
The Northdale staple has reopened after nearly a year, with new kitchen leadership, a revised menu, and live music restored.
Jun 6, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE BEACH
Tuttorosso closes on Blind Pass Road, citing hurricane repair costs
The family-owned Neapolitan pizzeria on Blind Pass Road has closed after repair costs from Hurricanes Helene and Milton proved unsustainable.
Jun 5, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Former Kōsen chef Alex Chamberlain opens Mei in Downtown St. Pete
Alex Chamberlain, formerly of Michelin-starred Kōsen, has opened Mei for soft-opening dinner service in downtown St. Pete.
Jun 4, 2026
FOOD · WESLEY CHAPEL
Bonchon opens sit-down flagship at The Hub at Lexington Oaks in Wesley Chapel
The global Korean fried chicken chain debuted Tampa Bay's first full-service location May 20, with 70 seats, a full bar, and an outdoor patio.
Jun 4, 2026
OPENINGS · YBOR CITY
Crowbar closes its Ybor City doors July 31 after 20 years
Owner Tom DeGeorge cites Live Nation's planned 4,300-seat Gasworx venue as a factor in ending the 300-capacity room's run.
Jun 4, 2026
FOOD · GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT
Neighborhood Wine Shop's owners open Nightwatch in St. Pete's Grand Central
Bryce Kennedy and Sydney Knowlton are bringing Nightwatch, a 250-to-300-label wine bar, to St. Pete's Grand Central District.
Jun 3, 2026
FOOD · YBOR CITY
La Sétima debuts Double Six, a coffee-and-breakfast program, on Ybor's 7th Avenue
The natural wine bar launches a daytime concept on June 6, pairing specialty coffee and breakfast burritos with its existing evening wine program.
Jun 3, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Red Mesa Cantina closes on 3rd Street South as Veytia Ventures files for Chapter 11
The 16-year downtown St. Pete fixture shut abruptly June 3, one day after parent Veytia Ventures filed for Chapter 11 with up to $10M in liabilities.
Jun 2, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Forbici Modern Italian takes over the former Sea Salt space at Sundial
Jeff Gigante's Hyde Park Italian brand brings Roman-style pizza and its signature happy hour to downtown St. Pete this month.
Jun 2, 2026
FOOD · DUNEDIN
Chopped champion Jordan Arcuri opens Origen in the former Señor Rita's on Broadway
The Food Network winner's Dunedin debut blends upscale steakhouse with Tulum-inspired design and a rooftop bar.
Jun 1, 2026
REAL ESTATE · ST. PETE
St. Pete directs $42M in federal storm recovery funds to affordable rental housing
The city approved an Affordable Rental Housing Program using hurricane recovery dollars to fund new construction and rehabilitation for income-qualified renters.
May 30, 2026
FOOD · HYDE PARK
Good Luck Chuck's takes over the former SoHo Saloon space on South Howard
The retro-themed dance bar, now open at 410 S Howard Ave, adds two bars and a late-night kitchen to the SoHo corridor.
May 29, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Nagi takes over Gen X Tavern's Jackson Street space this October
Dave Burton's former Gen X Tavern becomes a Japanese sushi and izakaya concept from the Soho Sushi team.
May 29, 2026
FOOD · WESTSHORE MARINA DISTRICT
Rio Izakaya opens in Westshore Marina with dry-aged sushi and Japanese oak yakitori
The Marina Landings izakaya is dry-aging fish in-house and milling rice daily, per the operator.
May 29, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Green Bench Brewing opens its first Tampa location at 200 N Tampa St
The St. Pete lager staple crosses the bay with rare taproom pours and limited releases for downtown Tampa.
May 28, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Gen X Tavern closes its doors on East Jackson Street after seven years in downtown Tampa
Owner Dave Burton confirms a July 2026 closing for the retro-themed bar at 103 E Jackson St, with a new concept already planned for the space.
May 28, 2026
FOOD · DREW PARK
Two Shepherds closes in Drew Park as Gambit Games takes over the dog bar's Grady Ave space
The Drew Park dog bar closes May 29 and hands its 4813 N Grady Ave lease to an all-ages board game and trading card café.
May 28, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE BEACH
The Luce opens June 11 at the former Postcard Inn on Gulf Boulevard
The rebranded St. Pete Beach resort debuts the Sundrop coastal restaurant with Gulf seafood, Wagyu, and weekly rum tastings.
May 27, 2026
REAL ESTATE · CHANNELSIDE
Valiant Eagle and SPP plan 3,500-seat venue at Channelside Drive and Jefferson
Valiant Eagle and SPP announced plans for a 3,500-seat live music venue and 250-room hotel at Channelside Drive and Jefferson Street.
May 27, 2026
FOOD · SPARKMAN WHARF
Cru Hospitality Group opens Smith's Provisions and The Back Bar at Sparkman Wharf
The Tampa group behind Wine on Water and Bouzy brings a burger counter and cocktail bar to Water Street's waterfront market.
May 26, 2026
FOOD · GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT
Buttermilk Eatery takes over Urban Brew & BBQ's Central Ave address in St. Pete
The Pinellas County brunch chain brings robot servers and a full bar to the Grand Central District this summer.
May 26, 2026
REAL ESTATE · TAMPA
University of Tampa breaks ground on 11-story, 833-bed housing tower at 110 S Boulevard
The university's largest student housing project in its history will add 238 units to its near-downtown campus footprint by Fall 2028.
May 26, 2026
FOOD · SOHO
Daily Eats closes this June; Meeting House takes over 901 South Howard
The longtime SoHo brunch spot ends its run and reopens under a new concept adding cocktails and dinner service to the address.
May 24, 2026
REAL ESTATE · WESTSHORE
Tampa approves early agreements for $2.3B Rays stadium district in Westshore
Tampa backed preliminary terms for a proposed 30,000-seat domed ballpark and mixed-use district on the HCC Dale Mabry campus.
May 23, 2026
FOOD · SOUTH TAMPA
Indigo Road's O-Ku opens its first Tampa Bay location at Bayshore Gardens on Bay to Bay
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group brings its Japanese chain to 2907 W Bay to Bay Blvd with a two-story riverfront space and rooftop lounge.
May 23, 2026
FOOD · SOUTH TAMPA
Indigo Road's O-Ku opens at Bayshore Gardens on Bay to Bay in South Tampa
Indigo Road Hospitality Group's O-Ku debuts in Tampa Bay with a two-story riverfront space, rooftop bar, and omakase program.
May 22, 2026
EVENTS · ST. PETE
Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series debuts in Florida at St. Pete's Vinoy waterfront
Twenty-four elite divers will launch from 90-foot platforms over Tampa Bay in the series' first-ever Florida stop, June 5–6.
May 22, 2026
FOOD · BRUCE B DOWNS
Yumsem Eats reopens on Bruce B Downs after Fletcher Ave closure
Yumsem Eats is reopening near USF at 11802 Bruce B Downs Blvd after its Fletcher Avenue location closed earlier this year.
May 22, 2026
FOOD · WAREHOUSE ARTS DISTRICT
31 South debuts above St. Petersburg Distillery in the Warehouse Arts District
The 45-seat lounge occupies a redesigned upstairs space at 800 31st St S and opened May 1, Thursday through Saturday evenings.
May 21, 2026
EVENTS · ST. PETE
Tampa Bay Barbecue Festival returns to Vinoy Park with Blackberry Smoke on the bill
The competition returns to St. Pete's bayfront on May 23–24, with pitmasters from across the South and a full country music lineup.
May 21, 2026
OPENINGS · YBOR CITY
Odd Sox debuts ODDMART in Ybor City ahead of Miami, NYC, and Tokyo stops
The Tampa-born sock brand's first unified storefront opens Thursday at 1517 East 9th Avenue in Ybor City as a five-day pop-up.
May 20, 2026
FOOD · LARGO
Parlor Doughnuts brings its layered doughnut format to Largo's West Bay Drive
The Indiana-born chain opens at 430 West Bay Drive on May 23, marking its entry into the Tampa Bay market.
May 19, 2026
EVENTS · CURTIS HIXON WATERFRONT
Florida Seafood & Caribbean Music Festival takes over Curtis Hixon Waterfront on May 23
The all-day event runs 2-10 PM on May 23, featuring dozens of seafood vendors, live music, and free crawfish from 2-4 PM.
May 19, 2026
REAL ESTATE · CHANNELSIDE
Tampa WOW! clears final permit for $20M observation wheel on Channelside Drive
The 250-foot, privately funded wheel cleared its final permit and targets a groundbreaking near the Florida Aquarium this summer.
May 19, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE BEACH
Playa Taco Cocina y Tequilería debuts at TradeWinds Resort on St. Pete Beach
Playa Taco Cocina y Tequilería opens at TradeWinds Resort on Gulf Boulevard with a Gulf-front tequila bar and Mexican menu.
May 18, 2026
FOOD · BON AIR
The Violet Stone targets W Kennedy Blvd for a South Tampa debut in September
The Philly-style pizza and cheesesteak brand that grew from a St. Pete food truck in 2022 targets a September opening in Bon Air.
May 18, 2026
EVENTS · GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT
Pinellas Ale Works turns 10 in Grand Central with a two-day anniversary weekend
The Grand Central taproom marks a decade this Saturday with themed beer releases, free admission, and dogs on the floor.
May 15, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN CLEARWATER
Hanami Japanese Izakaya lands at 635 Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater
A Japanese restaurant group with 30 years in the business is bringing an izakaya to 635 Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater.
May 14, 2026
EVENTS · ST. PETE
St. Pete Italian Fest returns to Vinoy Park for its third year this Saturday
The waterfront festival spans eight hours of food vendors, wine tastings, live music, and an Italian car show on May 16.
May 13, 2026
FOOD · WESTSHORE
Sapphire Lounge and Supper Club soft-opens in Westshore with a 1950s supper club revival
The 1950s-inspired Westshore venue debuted this week with rare prime cuts, nightly live entertainment, and a strictly enforced formal dress code.
May 13, 2026
EVENTS · HEIGHTS
Sushi and Sumo Battle returns to Armature Works on May 17
Live professional sumo and Zukku Sushi sold out their debut at Armature Works; the second edition is tracking the same way.
May 12, 2026
OPENINGS · TAMPA PALMS
Ebisu heads to Tampa Palms with its largest US store at over 20,000 square feet
The Osaka-founded chain, now with more than 20 US locations, has listed Tampa Palms on its national coming-soon page.
May 12, 2026
FOOD · DALE MABRY
SoDough Square brings Detroit-style pizza to Dale Mabry this summer
The brand — three Orlando locations strong and recently opened in St. Pete — is targeting Dale Mabry as its South Tampa debut this summer.
May 11, 2026
OPENINGS · MIAMI
Elev8 Fun expands from Tampa to Miami with E8 Properties' department store play
E8 Properties plans to convert a former Miami department store into a second Elev8 Fun entertainment venue.
May 11, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Exciting New Addition: Matilde Set to Enrich Downtown Tampa's Culinary Scene
A coastal Mexican steakhouse is on the horizon for Tampa's Riverwalk area.
May 8, 2026
FOOD · WATER STREET
Flour Hustler Takes Over Spark Square: A Month of Irresistible Baked Goods
Tampa’s beloved scratch bakery is now serving its signature treats at Water Street, and you won’t want to miss it.
May 8, 2026
FOOD · GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT
Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. Expands to St. Pete: A Culinary Delight for Central Avenue
The beloved sandwich shop brings authentic Italian-American flavors to the Grand Central District.
May 7, 2026
REAL ESTATE · THONOTOSASSA
A New Pinnacle of Luxury: The Oaks Estate Hits the Market for $115 Million
Tampa Bay's most expensive residential listing redefines opulence in Thonotosassa.
May 7, 2026