Tampa Today News: Florida Cane Closing Ybor Tasting Room + Tampa Hotel Sells At Loss
Everything to know happening in town.
Welcome back to Tampa Today News. I’m Carlos Hernandez, your host explaining all things about what’s happening in the Tampa area including local news, events, and more.
Today’s weather: High 64 and low 58. Cloudy.
Featured business: The Left Bank Bistro
The Left Bank Bistro is wonderful French restaurant and gathering place for friends and meeting new ones, for sipping coffee and cocktails on the patio while enjoying great conversations; or dining in the house on one of their chef's delicious creations. The restaurant is located at 1225 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Call to make reservations at (727) 256-1691.
Visit them online at theleftbankbistro.com.
Featured business: Due Amici & Geo’s Fine Wine & Champagne
Due Amici is a family-run pizza and pasta bar restaurant located in Ybor City at 1724 E 7th Ave. The restaurant takes pride in their gourmet food, handcrafting sauces to compliment the flavors in each dish. Pizza dough is made in-house, hand-spun, topped with the freshest ingredients, and carried to the oven with love.
Geo’s Fine Wine & Champagne Bar is the latest hotspot in Ybor City right next door to Due Amici. The bar has a selection of fine wines and champagnes to choose from as well as charcuterie boards and live music and events regularly.
Are you interested in sponsoring Tampa Today News and promoting your business, events, or products? Reach out at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com and I will be happy to discuss rates.
Top local stories today:
Florida Cane Distillery shutting down tasting room in Ybor City after over a decade of operation: The Florida Cane Distillery is closing its tasting room in Ybor City after 12 years of operation, according to an announcement made on Facebook. The business blamed the closure of its tasting room the decline of Florida tourism, recent shootings in Ybor City, and a lack of live music venues supporting foot traffic. (carloseats.com)
Tampa hotel sells at a loss after selling for record price in 2019: The Residence Inn Tampa Westshore/Airport has been sold at a nearly $8 million loss, according to Tampa Bay Business Journal. The hotel sold for $34.48 million, but previously sold for $42.65 million, according to property records. It is the second time Starwood Real Estate Investment Trust takes a loss in the area. (subscription: bizjournals.com, free: businessobserverfl.com)
St. Pete bakery merging with doughnut shop for survival: Valhalla Bakery is shutting down its independent bakery on Wednesday, Feb. 14 and merging with Valkyrie Doughnuts at 2444 Central Ave., according to a social media announcement from the business. The small business wrote “Taking this step has been a hard pill for all of us to swallow but it’s no secret that small business is struggling like we’ve never seen before.” (cltampa.com)
Mardi Gras celebration back at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this weekend: Mardi Gras is back at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay from Jan. 13 to Mar. 3 on weekends. Guests can enjoy a taste of Bourbon Street in New Orleans as well as special cocktails, beer, and wine. Sample lanyards will be available for purchase with a special lanyard for theme park passholders. (baynews9.com)
New Howard Frankland Bridge opening in 2024: The new Howard Frankland Bridge, a $864 million project from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), is expected to open this year. The new bridge will include a path for pedestrians and cyclists as well as the potential to add a light rail in the future. It is expected to last for about 100 years after being built. (wfla.com)
Top events in town:
Art on the House at Tampa Museum of Art. (4 p.m.)
Networking Afterhours Biz Card Exchange at Aloft Tampa Midtown. (5 p.m.)
LUXE: A Latin Night at The Floridian Social. (6 p.m.)
Go for Gnocchi - Cooking Class by Classpop at BRU Florida Growler Bar. (7 p.m.)
BurgBeats: A Vibe for Afrobeats Lovers at Steep Station Kava Bar. (7 p.m.)
Salchata Thursdays at Red Star Live. (8 p.m.)
Notes:
Publix has opened its first store in Kentucky. (businessobserverfl.com)
St. Petersburg, FL: “BREAKING: The City of St. Petersburg has recently received $600,000 from the State of Florida to assist homeowners impacted by Hurricane Idalia.” (stpete.org)
St. Pete’s BellaBrava is opening its first location in Pasco County this week. (subscription: bizjournals.com)
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Send news tip: carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.
That’s all I have for today. See you tomorrow!
-Carlos Hernandez