Where to shop for a cigar

Cigar Paradise is rooted in Cuban tradition. | Photo by @cigarparadiseroyallounge

Tampa Bay stays lit all year long as the cigar-making industry continues to thrive. Ybor City – also known as Cigar City – has been a staple for cigar craftsmanship, where visitors from all over the world have come to shop from expert vendors in the area.

History of cigar making 📜

Cigar-making exploded in the early 1900s when Cubans migrated to the Tampa Bay area. Ybor City became home to the world’s largest cigar factory, Regensburg Cigar Factory — or El Reloj — in 1895.

At its peak, the cigar industry in Ybor/Tampa Bay had approximately up to 10,000 residents rolling cigars in around 200 cigar factories.

Where to shop 🛒

Whether you’re interested in gifting a stogie or a few belvederes, there is a wide variety of shopping options in the Tampa Bay/Ybor Historic areas.

J.C. Newman Cigar Company, 2701 North 16th St. | Known as America’s oldest premium cigar maker, this family-owned business hosts tours of 112-year-old El Reloj cigar factory. They’re best known for their exclusive Brick House, Diamond Crown, Quorum, and Perla del Mar Cigars. Stop by the factory story to shop cigars and merchandise after your tour.

Cigar Paradise, 400 Beach Drive N.E. STE 142, St. Petersburg | Inspired by Cuban tradition, this upscale lounge offers handcrafted cigars paired with unique cocktails. With a selection of over 500 diverse options, these master cigar rollers present a sophisticated, relaxing experience.

Tabanero Cigars, 1601 E. 7th Ave. | Rolling since 2007, these cigar connoisseurs pride themselves in offering high quality, entry-level, medium bodied, and full bodied cigars. Available in-store or online for purchase, their collection includes Corona, Big Torpedo, and Robusto.

We’d love to hear where you find a good puro in Tampa Bay. Share your recommendations here.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

Aline | Thu., Oct. 13 | 2-4 p.m. | Charlene Gordon Theatre - Ferman Center for the Arts, 214 N Blvd, Tampa | The Albertine Cinématèque series presents Aline, a fictionalized comedic telling of a Celine Dion-esque mega star.
Artists Workbench Demonstrative Exhibition | Thu., Oct. 13 - Sat., Oct. 15 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Florida CraftArt Galleries, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | A Tampa Bay artist will be present with workbench and studio materials to demonstrate the creation of a fine craft specialty in the Florida CraftArt Gallery.
Bonsai & Brews at Beerbusters Movie Bar | Thu., Oct. 13 | 7-9 p.m. | Beerbusters Movie Bar, 6836 N Park Blvd, Pinellas Park | $75.00 | Enjoy your favorite brews at a nostalgic blockbuster-themed movie bar while working side-by-side with local bonsai artists as you create your very own miniature masterpiece.
Trick or Treat Yourself-Self-care Festival | Thu., Oct. 13 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | MSC Amphitheater, 4103 USF Cedar Cir, Tampa | Join SWELL and other campus partners to de-stress, paint pumpkins, learn about campus resources and student organizations, and participate in self-care.

Friday

Billy Buchanan | Fri., Oct. 14 | 5 p.m. | Hotel Haya, 1412 E 7th Ave, Tampa | Jam out to the music stylings of Billy Buchanan, also known as the Ambassador of Rock’n Roll.
Displace | Fri., Oct. 14 | 6 p.m. | Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa | Enjoy live music from local artists Displace over a pint of beer.
Dress Like a Farmer Day | Fri., Oct. 14 | 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Great Explorations Children’s Museum, 1925 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg | Get into the spirit of the harvest season and dress up like a farmer.

Saturday

Cat Show | Sat., Oct. 15 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Tampa Salvation Army Church, 1100 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa | $10.00 | In addition to six individual feline conformation classes, there will be a raffle table with wonderful pet related items on which to bid.
First Annual White Cane Walk | Sat., Oct. 15 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Al Lopez Park, 4810 N Himes Ave, Tampa | $15.00 | Raise funds for the blind and visually impaired community while enjoying food, beverages, DJ, magician, games, activities, and a walk.

Sunday

Taste of Latino and Hispanic Heritage Festival | Sun., Oct. 16 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Centro Asturiano, 1913 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa | A celebration of Hispanic and Latin culture with food, a Cuban sandwich winners circle, art, music and the Top Latino Chef contest.

We have a monthly 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.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

83º | Scattered thunderstorms | 60% chance of rain
Time for sweater weather. A cold front is moving into Tampa Bay this week, bringing some cooler fall temperatures like 62 degrees on Saturday. After all, it isn’t fall in Florida unless we can wear a turtleneck, right? 🧣 (News Channel 8)

Sunrise + sunset

Rise: 7:29 a.m.
Set: 7:03 p.m.

Tide
Old Tampa Bay

High: 4:22 a.m. + 7:12 p.m.
Low: 12:05 p.m. + 10:36 p.m.

Clearwater Beach

High: 1:07 a.m. + 2:55 p.m.
Low: 8:29 a.m. + 7:37 p.m.

Community

Hillsborough County is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thurs., Oct. 13 for the New Tampa Performing Arts Center. This 20,000 sqft venue seating 348 people will bring the community together for theater experiences, educational youth programming, and more residential events.

Biz

Clearwater’s KnowBe4, one of the largest companies in the area, will shift back to a private company. The cybersecurity firm was bought by Austin-based Vista Equity Partners for a whopping $4.6 billion. Stock owners will be paid out $24.90 in cash for each share of common stock they own and the company expects the deal to close in 2023. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Coming Soon

Mark your calendars. St. Pete’s annual Shine Mural Festival kicks off this weekend Fri., Oct. 14. Bringing 18 new murals and 13 local artists, this event showcases the heart and soul of a diverse range of creators. 🎨 (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Drink

Masquerade Boss Gala is coming to Tampa Bay on Sat., Oct. 15 at The Tampa Club, 101 E. Kennedy Blvd. #4200. This benefit will provide a diamond bar, fashion show, and whiskey + tequila tastings. 🥃 (That’s So Tampa)
Coffee’s giving back. Tampa Bay roaster Kahwa Coffee’s fundraiser “Coffee for a Cause” last week raised over $15,000 to help World Central Kitchen fund their efforts in Lee County after Hurricane Ian. ☕

Announced

Tampa is brewin’ something new. Buddy Brew Coffee Roasters announced they’ve landed a partnership with grocer chain Sprouts Farmers Market. Now shoppers will be able to purchase Buddy Brew’s Bolt cold brew coffee, in original and nitro brews, at 370 stores. 🏪 (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Number

135. That’s how many feet Busch Gardens’ new Serengeti Flyer will spin passengers overhead at 68 miles per hour. We’re seren-ready for this coaster to open this spring. 🎢

Edu

Local government leaders joined students on National Walk to School Day, which took place yesterday Wed., Oct. 12. This initiative encouraged students to walk or bike to school. Even Tampa Mayor Jane Castor took part in walking students to Grady Elementary. 🎒

Eat

America’s largest dessert festival, Dessert Wars, is coming to Tampa Bay. This tasty event featuring 30-50 small businesses takes place on Oct. 22 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds. 🍨 (Tampa Bay Times)

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Go bananas over these foodie brands 🍌

Go bananas over these 30+ foodie brands

Just one of these local, specialty foods on your table will impress your dinner guests. | Graphic by TBAYtoday

We polled City Editors across our parent company, 6AM City, about foodie brands they love. The result? A list of mouthwatering food products ranging from SC Lowcountry’s favorite biscuits to a line of vegan dipping sauces that hail from San Diego.

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit (Charleston, SC) | Serve southern-style, pre-made biscuits at home with this nationally recognized brand (plus get jams, jellies, and biscuit mixes). | We love: Hot Little Combo Pack

Kanelli Bakery Co. (Orlando, FL) | Authentic Greek baked goods crafted using century-old Cretan recipes. | We love: Greek Assortment Tray with baklava, koulourakia, kourabiedes, and olive oil sesame cookies.

Q39 (Kansas City, MO) | Give your weekend barbecue an upgrade with this award-winning brand’s line of sauces, rubs, and spices. | We love: Brisket Rub

Sunny Culture (St. Petersburg, FL) | Probiotic water kefir drinks and wellness shots that support gut health | We love: Kefir Water Hibiscus Probiotic

27 MORE FOODIE BRANDS

America’s greenest aircraft is in Tampa Bay

Frontier Airlines launches new fuel efficient aircraft. | Photo by @tpaaviation

We’ve got our head in the clouds...literally. Tampa International Airport announced Frontier Airlines has a brand new aircraft – the Airbus A321neo. This fuel-efficient airplane is powered by an ultra-efficient GTF engines created by Pratt & Whitney.

Built to be “America’s greenest aircraft,” Frontier’s new ride features a delivery of around 120 miles per gallon per seat. The industry standard rate is 51 miles per gallon per seat, according to Sierra Magazine. Frontier’s measurement not only exceeds industry rate, but it also helps significantly reduce fuel consumption, which decreases the company’s impact on the environment.

Talk about love at first flight and an adventure that awaits. The plane also shows off brand new uniform to commemorate the launch.

After the plane’s completion, Frontier CEO Barry Biffle flew from Hamburg, Germany, to then deliver the aircraft to Tampa International Airport. After final checks and inspections, this Airbus will be taking off later this week.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Victoria.

Editor’s pick: Since getting married in Downtown Tampa, my husband and I love spending date nights in this iconic part of town. Looking for some inspo? If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out our date night guide.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Tour Tampa International Airport, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Bailey Lefever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?