The Historic Hyde Park neighborhood is filled with well-kept bungalows and Colonial Revival homes, and leads out to the waterfront Bayshore Boulevard. | Photo by @tampa_stephen
Hyde Park is Tampa’s most stylish neighborhood for a reason. The historic bungalows + tree-lined streets are some of the prettiest in the city — especially at the holidays. Over the past few years, the village has added even more chic restaurants + incredible shopping — so we wanted to check out what’s currently brewing here. Even if you have your mainstay Friday night dinner picks, it might be time to find a new fave.
Hyde Park’s monthly fresh market brings out hundreds of residents for shopping and community.
Have your sights set on Hyde Park, it may cost you a pretty penny. In recent years, Hyde Park has become one of the most popular — and expensive — neighborhoods in Tampa Bay with the median home price hovering right below $1 million, according to Redfin.com. But that price scores you a happy home in an area walkable to the newest restaurants, shopping, farmers’ markets and top-rated schools.
A 1930 home in the budding South Tampa neighborhood.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons
The early days
Hyde Park is one of Tampa’s oldest neighborhoods — which you can probably tell from driving past its mix of well-kept Craftsman bungalows and brick Colonial revivals.
The storied neighborhood has roots back to 1886, when Illinois native O.H. Platt (yes, that Platt) bought 20 acres + divvied them up into plots — renaming the area after the Chicago community of the same name. Hyde Park Village didn’t come until 1985, when developers built an open-air shopping plaza with names like Polo Ralph Lauren and Jacobson’s.
But the upward growth soon stopped. Just two decades ago, the Village was made up of empty storefronts, and some neighbors formed a watch group to help curtail crime. Things changed when WS Development bought the Village in 2013 — bringing in an influx of trendier stores and making the historic destination the hot spot for eaters and shoppers it is today.
Heights Night Market | Wed., Sept. 14 | 5:30–9:30 p.m. | Armature Works | Free | Roam the aisles of Tampa Bay craftspeople and their wares + finish off the night with a rooftop sip at M.Bird or a memorable meal at Oak & Ola. 🍹
Thursday
2022 Gourmet Food Festival | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 6–8:30 p.m. | Higgins Hall, 5225 N. Himes Ave. | $25+ | Grab BOGO tickets before the 15th for the 30th annual foodie festival, benefiting the Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women.
Friday
Sunset Paddle Happy Hour | Fri., Sept. 16 | 6 p.m. | Armature Works | $25+ | Take in Downtown Tampa’s waterfront with a scenic standup paddle or kayak ride — there’s even double kayaks so you can bring your boo. 🚣♀️
USF Volleyball vs. Stetson University | Fri., Sept. 16 | 7 p.m. | The Corral, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. | $5+ | Finish off the week with a little volleyball, as these local squads face off. 🏐
Saturday
Anime St. Pete | Sat., Sept. 17- Sun., Sept. 18 | Hours vary | The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $25+ | St. Pete’s first anime convention is upon us, bringing a weekend of costumes, meet-and-greets, lip sync battles, and more.
The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of Oceans | Sat., Sept. 17 | 2 p.m. | Sulphur Springs Museum and Heritage Center, 1101 E. River Cove St. | Free | Environmental journalist and award-winning author Cynthia Barnett answers questions about her latest book, which details the relationship between humans and shells. 🐚
Green Bench Brewing Oktoberfest | Sat., Sept. 17 | Tappings at 1 p.m. + 4 p.m. | Green Bench Brewing Co., 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg | The popular St. Pete brewery is celebrating the kickoff of the holiday in Munich — and your ticket gets you a commemorative stein, two pours of beer, and a plate loaded with German cuisine from Dusty’s Hot Stuff. 🍻
Mirror Lake Twilight Walk Tour | Sat., Sept. 17 | 6:30.-8:30 p.m. | 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N., St. Petersburg | $10+ | A Preserve the ‘Burg guide will delve into the history of Mirror Lake and its surrounding neighborhood from its Carnegie Library to the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
Good Intentionsopens today in St. Pete’s Grand Central District at1900 1st Ave. S. The vegan eatery is operated by the folks behind popular spots Black Radish, Golden Dinosaurs, and Nah Dogs and will offer seasonal fare, grazing boards, and cocktails. 🍸
Water Street’s Tampa Edition is the city’s first hotel/condominium combo and plans to soft launch later this month. Michelin-starred chef John Fraser has crafted menus for its various hospitality venues, including a casual Italian spot, Gasparilla-themed cocktail bar, two Mediterranean restaurants, an elevated lobby bar, and the pool deck, of course. 🦜 (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Coming Soon
There’s a new Sunday Morning Market coming to town. The rapidly growing Westshore Marina District will have its own weekly market beginning Oct. 23. The market, located right off the Gandy Bridge, will host 70+ vendors selling everything from baked goods and art to produce. (That’s So Tampa)
We’re a day closer to the opening of Bonnet Springs Park on Sat., Oct. 22. Located justminutes off I-4 in Lakeland (hey, LALoday 👋),it’s in the perfect spot to be Central Florida’s place of play.*
Civic
Tampanians treasure their tree canopy. Mayor Jane Castor held a press conference this week to renew her commitment to protecting the city’s arbors. 🌳 (Tampa Bay Times)
Announced
“Adam Sandler? What are you doing here?” The ever-goofy comedian is coming to Amalie this fall (with a yet-to-be-announced special guest). Tickets for the November 6 show start at $35.75 and go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. 🎤 (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Drink
Tasty and healthy? Yes, please.Super Coffee is the energy-boosting, great-tasting drink with 0g added sugar, 10g protein, and 200mg of caffeine — and only 80 calories.Taste for yourself to see why it’s creating so much buzz. ☕ *
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
Culture
A full decade of Oxford Exchange
Happy Birthday, Oxford Exchange
The bookstore stocks new releases as well as classics + regularly hosts signings. | Photo by @lower48tradingco
September marks 10 years of Tampa’s most Instagrammable brunch spot, bookstore and community hub — Oxford Exchange. The Downtown Tampa hang is deeply wedded to our city, whether you’re a regular member of one of its book clubs, always bring friends from out of town when they visit, or just like to stop by for a latte before work.
There are a number of ways to celebrate the beloved brick landmark.
The restaurant + bookstore is starting off its birthday with a throwback bingo night, Thurs. Sept. 15. Tickets are $48 and include three bingo cards, appetizers, and two drink tickets. The party runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Party like it’s 2012. Oxford Exchange’s cocktail bar + restaurant is serving 2012 blendsall month long — from Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Vintage Brut to Dom Perignon Brut.
Try the signature cocktail of the month, aptly named Perfect 10, and made with champagne,pineapple, lime juices, and more.
THE WRAP
Today’s edition was written by City Editor Bailey.
Editor’s pick: One of the things I love most about living in St. Pete is the plethora of small businesses that color the landscape. I could grab a quick bite at Pete’s Bagels, groceries at Mazzaro’s Italian Market, pick up a cinnamon roll at A Friend Who Bakes all on a lunch break. We’re lucky to be able to get most of what we need right here in town.
I found this story on the future viability of small businesses in Tampa Bay interesting.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? David breaks down St. Pete’s most swoon-worthy dining views, here.
Editorial: Bailey LeFever, David Warner, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.
Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.
}})
}})
}})
}})
}})