Briefs
Headlines and short briefs from the Tampa Bay Certified editorial desk. 214 published.
Briefs
50 items
Oystercatchers Celebrates 40 Years With a Fresh Take on Coastal Dining
Oct 1, 2026
FOOD · GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT
Pete's Bagels takes over the former Good Intentions space on 1st Ave S
The St. Pete bagel shop trades six years in a structurally damaged building for 4,200 square feet four blocks west.
Oct 1, 2026
SCREAM-A-GEDDON Is Back With a New Attraction and More Frights
Oct 1, 2026
The Dan Is Bringing 1940s Glamour Back to Tampa Every Friday in October
Sep 30, 2026
Florida Minimum Wage Rises to $15 Sept. 30
Sep 30, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Next Level Brands' Matilde takes the ground floor of AER on West Tyler in spring 2027
The coastal Mexican steakhouse is the operator's fifth concept, with nearly 300 seats, a live-fire hearth, and an agave bar.
Sep 30, 2026
Thee Hen House Brings Used Books, Coffee to South Tampa
Sep 30, 2026
FOOD · LAND O' LAKES
Mr. Bear opens second US location at The Hub at Bexley in Land O' Lakes
The Flushing-born Hokkaido cotton cheesecake brand has opened at 16970 Focus Loop, its second US shop since February 2025.
Sep 29, 2026
Tampa Bay Coffee Shops Are Celebrating National Coffee Day With Deals
Sep 29, 2026
EVENTS · ST. PETE
Green Bench Brewing's beer garden movie nights return with a Halloween lineup in St. Pete
The free Wednesday series runs Oct. 7–28 at 1133 Baum Ave N, opening with Beetlejuice before moving to R-rated titles.
Sep 28, 2026
OPENINGS · TAMPA
HAEVN debuts in its founding city Tampa ahead of the October 1 launch
Tampa-founded matchmaking network HAEVN soft-opens to local members ahead of its announced October 1 launch.
Sep 28, 2026
30th Dishes & Wishes Heads to Armature Works on Oct. 16
Sep 28, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Florafête opens a Bouquet Bar in the former Savory Spice Shop at 400 Beach Drive
Floral designer Lucy Watkins debuts her first storefront at Suite 173, pairing fresh flowers with a wine lounge this fall.
Sep 28, 2026
Azalea Cay Breaks Ground, Bringing Affordable Housing to St. Petersburg
Sep 28, 2026
The Dalí Museum Has a Full October Planned Before ‘Dalí in America’ Closes
Sep 27, 2026
EVENTS · NORTH TAMPA
Absolution Fest brings 18-plus bands from four countries to Tampa Orpheum, Oct. 1–3
The three-night festival, produced by Communion After Dark and Endoxa Booking, runs at 14802 N. Nebraska Ave. with doors at 6 p.m. nightly.
Sep 26, 2026
Morean Arts Center Plans Five-Story Expansion in Downtown St. Petersburg
Sep 25, 2026
Tampa Convention Center Nominated for 2026 ConventionSouth Readers’ Choice Award
Sep 25, 2026
FOOD · WESLEY CHAPEL
Tien's Sandwich opens a banh mi counter on Mansfield Blvd in Wesley Chapel
The 2,066-sq-ft counter at 2557 Mansfield Blvd is targeting a late October or early November opening.
Sep 25, 2026
EVENTS
Tampa Bay venues mark Dolly Parton Day with screenings, contests, and book drives
Giggle Waters, Gulf Pine Brewing, BarrieHaus, and Shuffle are each marking the Dollywood Foundation's annual giving day.
Sep 25, 2026
EVENTS · TAMPA
Kenny Chesney opens The Original Vibe Room Tour at Raymond James on April 24
Kenny Chesney's Original Vibe Room Tour opens at Raymond James on April 24, 2027, with Church and Crow on a 19-stadium bill.
Sep 24, 2026
Mezzo Market and Tampa Bay Lightning Team Up for Vintage Market
Sep 24, 2026
Andy’s Frozen Custard Plans First Tampa Location on Dale Mabry
Sep 24, 2026
EVENTS · TAMPA
Hans Zimmer brings The Next Level to Benchmark International Arena in March 2027
The touring live show, with a 19-piece band and Zimmer on stage, plays Tampa on Sunday, March 14, 2027.
Sep 24, 2026
Suncoast Community Health Centers Expands Care With New Riverview Location
Sep 24, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE
Green Bench opens Upstairs at Webb's on its 13th anniversary at 1133 Baum Ave N
Green Bench adds a second floor to Webb's City Cellar on Sept. 25 with beer, wine, cider, and port-focused cocktails.
Sep 23, 2026
Tampa’s SPIRIT Program Creates Inclusive Recreation Opportunities for Families
Sep 23, 2026
New St. Petersburg App Helps Residents Find Events and Make Connections
Sep 23, 2026
EVENTS · WAREHOUSE ARTS DISTRICT
Noah Sain's Sake Block hosts World Sake Day at Morean Center for Clay
Noah Sain brings sake tastings, Japanese brewers, and ceramics workshops to the Warehouse Arts District on Oct. 1.
Sep 23, 2026
The Violet Stone to Open Second Location in South Tampa
Sep 23, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE
Apt 34 opens on 1st Ave N, built around Nico Leeper's 312 West 48th apartment
The beer-and-wine bar at 554 1st Ave N in St. Pete transplants the design and artifacts of its founder's Hell's Kitchen apartment.
Sep 22, 2026
Carúpano Kitchen Plans First Standalone Restaurant in St. Petersburg
Sep 22, 2026
EVENTS
Taste of the Beaches puts $10 dishes at 50 restaurants from St. Pete Beach to Indian Rocks
The nine-day event runs Oct. 3 through 11; a free kickoff party at Horan Park on St. Pete Beach opens Oct. 2.
Sep 22, 2026
USF Ranked Among Nation’s Top 50 Public Universities for Eighth Consecutive Year
Sep 22, 2026
FOOD · CHANNEL DISTRICT
Channel District's Fabrica lands No. 24 on 50 Top Pizza's 2026 US list
Fabrica, open in the Channel District since 2015, ranked No. 24 on 50 Top Pizza's 2026 US list.
Sep 21, 2026
Oktoberfest Returns to Plant City With Food, Music and Family Fun
Sep 21, 2026
OPENINGS · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Museum of Fine Arts St. Pete rehangs permanent collection by theme this fall
The permanent collection galleries close for several months as Art Unbound reorganizes the collection around human themes.
Sep 21, 2026
Clearwater Offshore Nationals Brings Powerboat Racing to Clearwater Beach
Sep 21, 2026
FOOD · UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER
Pure Green opens superfood bar at The Market at UTC
The cold-pressed juice and açaí bowl brand has opened its Bradenton-area location at The Market at UTC, daily from 7 AM to 9 PM.
Sep 21, 2026
TPA Adds 9-Foot AquaFence to Protect Critical Electrical Buildings
Sep 21, 2026
Florida Aquarium Scientists Create New Genetic Crosses to Help Save Elkhorn Coral
Sep 19, 2026
St. Petersburg Museums Waive Admission Saturday for Free Museum Day
Sep 19, 2026
EVENTS · TAMPA HEIGHTS
The Haunting takes over Strandhill Public in Tampa Heights for October
The Miracle operator debuts its first Halloween concept at the West Palm Avenue Irish pub, running Oct. 1 through Nov. 1.
Sep 18, 2026
The Bluffs Completes First Elevated Pour on Former Clearwater City Hall Site
Sep 18, 2026
EVENTS · ST. PETE
Five St. Pete breweries stage simultaneous Oktoberfest events on Sept. 19
St. Pete Brewing, Green Bench, 3 Daughters, Pinellas Ale Works, and Green Turtle all hold Oktoberfest on the same Saturday.
Sep 18, 2026
Angel Foundation Florida to Celebrate 20 Years With Anniversary Gala
Sep 18, 2026
EVENTS · TAMPA
RuPaul takes the DJ booth at Tempo Daylife inside Seminole Hard Rock Tampa on Nov. 1
The Drag Race host headlines a 21-and-older pool party alongside Romi Lux and Tweak on November 1 at 11 a.m.
Sep 17, 2026
PROFILES
Stronger Over 50 Competes for New World Record
Sep 17, 2026
FOOD · TAMPA
Last Train to Shibuya opens inside Saucin Wings as a Thursday-Sunday R&B lounge
The nighttime concept turns a Tampa wing counter into a dim R&B lounge after dark, with Japanese karaoke on Sundays.
Sep 17, 2026
PROFILES
Tampa International Wins #1 in Customer Satisfaction for Third Time
Sep 17, 2026