Cigars, culture, and celebrities 💨

Cigars, culture, and celebrities:
The J.C. Newman Cigar Factory in Ybor City

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Cigars are to Tampa Bay what wine is to Napa Valley. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Take a walk down the historic streets of Ybor City, and you just might stumble upon a factory that’s been producing stogies since the turn of the century. It’s the J.C. Newman Cigar Factory (2701 N. 16th St., Tampa) — where the smoke is thick, and the history is richer than a double Maduro.

Established in 1895, this factory:

has been crafting premium cigars for over a century
is the last cigar factory operating in the El Reloj district (named after the factory’s giant clock tower)
is the oldest family-owned cigar maker in the US, according to the Cigar Journal

But wait, you might be thinking, I’m not a smoker. Why would I want to visit a cigar factory? Well, my friend, there’s so much more to J.C. Newman than just cigars. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and engaging tours, it’s a must-see destination for anyone interested in Tampa’s roots.

Screen Shot 2023-02-20 at 10.40.49 AM.png — Buildings change, but the craft remains the same. | Photo via Wikimedia commons

J.C. Newman has seen it all — it survived the Great Depression, crafted cigars for soldiers in World War II, and continues to win awards for its blends.

And let’s not forget the famous lips that have enjoyed their cigars, including Babe Ruth and Winston Churchill.

Tours

Witness skilled rollers crafting cigars with precision, try your hand at rolling your own cigar, sample some of their fine blends, and even plan your next event.

Factory tour | $10
Hand-rolling class | $37.50

3 INSTAGRAM-WORTHY SPOTS

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A. Travel Points
B. Points Multipliers for Categories (e.g., 2X miles on grocery and restaurant purchases)
C. Low-Interest Rate
D. Cash Back Options
E. Introductory offers (e.g., % interest, point bonus)

Congratulations to Carol D. for winning a $50 gift card to our online shop, Six & Main. Did you know you could be our next winner? Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to score a gift card!

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Today, Feb. 21

OnBoard Tampa Bay Job Fair and Business Expo | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Tampa River Center at Julian B. Lane Park, 402 W. Laurel St., Tampa | Free | Bring multiple copies of your resume and look for a new gig.
Shuffleboard Night of Fun | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 6-8 p.m. | Mirror Lake St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N., St. Petersburg | $20 | Join Unity of Gulfport for a night of fun at the oldest Shuffleboard Courts in the world.
Lightning vs. Ducks | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 7-10 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $33-$425 | Watch as the Lightning take on Anaheim.
Chicago | Tuesday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 26 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $54-$150 | See the Broadway musical right here in Tampa Bay.
Fat Tuesday | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | Big Easy Bar, 1704 E. 7th Ave., Tampa | Free | Stop by for tunes from The Jazz DaddyOs Trio, New Orleans-style grub, and burlesque performances.
The Glass Menagerie | Tuesday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 26 | 8-2 p.m. | Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Rd., Tampa | $18-$23 | Relive the memories of an aspiring poet as he works in a shoe warehouse to support his mother and sister.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

OSCAR-Nominated Documentary Short Films (2023) | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $12 | Grab your popcorn and watch five academy-nominated short films.

Thursday, Feb. 23

St. Pete Beach Drive Dine & Wine Tour | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Vinoy Hotel, 501 5th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | $75 | Visit the Vinoy Hotel, Birchwood Inn, The Canopy, and more for top-tier food and bevs.

Friday, Feb. 24

Music in the Park | Friday, Feb. 24 | 5-7 p.m. | Hyde Park Village, 1602 W. Swann Ave., Tampa | Free | Stop by the Village Circle to enjoy some live tunes.
The Black Honkeys w/ The Tokes | Friday, Feb. 24 | 8 p.m. | Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Rd., Tampa | $12 | Have a brew and listen to TBAY’s groovy funk band.

We have a calendar filled with events and 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

80º | Partly Cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:02 a.m.
Set: 6:24 p.m.

Tides
Old Tampa Bay

High: 3:35 a.m. + 4:47 p.m.
Low: 10:45 a.m. + 10:36 p.m.

Clearwater Beach

High: 12:48 a.m.
Low: 6:30 a.m. + 6:29 p.m.

Eat

What goes around comes back around. Karma Juice Bar and Eatery is opening soon in downtown St. Pete on the first floor of the Times Building on 1st Avenue South. The menu features smoothies, sandwiches, and “wellness lattes.” The new location opens Wednesday, March 1. (I Love the Burg)
Calida Kitchen + Wine (2909 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.) is bringing chef-driven vino and global cuisine to the eclectic Crescent Heights neighborhood. The menu features a diverse range of starters, from chorizo empanadas to Chow Noodles. This spot also opens in March. 🍷 (St. Pete Rising)

Real Estate

Mamma Mia, here we go again. The waterfront house (873 2nd Ave. S, Tierra Verde) which the Swedish band ABBA supposedly owned, is on the market for $2.75 million. The home was listed last summer for about a million more. 🪩 (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Number

$10.4 million. That’s how much money 56 red light cameras in Tampa raked in last year. The revenue is split between the state, the city, hospitals, a Miami-based nonprofit, and the camera vendor, according to the Times. Reminder: Driving through a red will cost you $158. 🚥 (Tampa Bay Times)

History

One of St. Pete’s first gas stations could become a historic landmark. Former Council Member Robert Blackmon is working on restoring a 1924-constructed Standard Oil station on 439 4th Street South. The City Council still has to approve the move. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Plan Ahead

DYK every year the Hillsborough river turns neon green? Officials dye it (with a non-toxic + biodegradable dye, of course) for TBAY’s St. Parick’s Day celebration — The River O’ Green Festival. We’re shamrockin’ and rollin’ with this year’s live musical performances, family-friendly activities, and green beer. 🍀 (Fox 13)

Try This

Tomorrow is National Margarita Day. Celebrate with Simple Time Mixers by sipping on the Margarita Bundle or the Margarita Madness 3-Pack. Will that be salt or sugar on the rim? 🍹

Shop

Did you sea this deal? The Seaweed Bath Co. hair products are BOGO at Publix GreenWise Market now through Wednesday, Feb. 22. 🌊 *

Eat

#TerraceTabletop: To mark the arrival of the iconic Strawberry Festival, the Terrace Grille is launching new specials featuring winter produce’s superstar — strawberries. Sweeten your next visit with a strawberry shortcake, or enjoy themed cocktails bespoken for the fruity favorite. Make a reservation. 🍓 *

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Flippin’ some fire flapjacks 🥞

6 pancake spots in Tampa Bay, FL

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Griddle riddle: How does a penguin make pancakes? Answer in the wrap. | Photo by @h2hsocial

It’s the most glorious day of the year — National Pancake Day — and what better way to join the batter brigade than with a tower of fluffy, butter ecstasy? Prepare to salivate as we dish out the most heavenly hotcake havens in TBAY.

Datz | 📍 Tampa, St. Pete, Riverview

Must try: If Datz is the Willy Wonka of Tampa Bay, then its classic buttermilk pancakes, topped with maple syrup and whipped cream, are the Everlasting Gobstoppers.

Oxford Exchange | 📍 University of Tampa area

Must try: Let the orange mascarpone citrus dollop dance on your tastebuds with every bite of warm sugary blueberry pancakes.

Mr. Dunderbak’s Biergarten | 📍 Tampa Palms

Must try: Get your pancakes “potato-fied” (latkes) and pair them with some applesauce.

Pro tip: If you’re looking for free hotcakes, this year IHOP is giving them away on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

3 MORE PANCAKE HOUSES

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brad.

Editor’s pick: Answer to the riddle in the pancake story: With its flippers.

Also, I wrote this newsletter with a 10-week-old foster puppy named Rain on my chest.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We rounded up 20 tree-mendous local parks.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith, Josh Kranzberg | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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