03.04.2024

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

☕ This bracket’s a brewin’

Vote in TBAYtoday’s coffee shop bracket

A TBAYtoday coffee shop bracket graphic. There are coffee beans on a blue background, with the message "Coffee Shop Bracket Winner: Spaddy's Coffee Co."

And the winner is: Spaddy’s Coffee Co. + | Graphic by TBAYtoday + photo by @spaddyscoffee

With the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments just around the corner, we’re joining the fun of bracket competitions with a faceoff of our own.

Last week, we asked you to share your favorite coffee shops in the Tampa Bay area. Now — thanks to you and the help of a random generator — we have the official lineup for our bracket.

TBAY-MM-Round 1-Web (3).png — *What’s your favorite coffee in TBAY? |*
|
Graphic via 6AM City

Who’s in the running

Going head-to-head in the first round are:

Black Crow Coffee Co. and S.O.G. Cafe | Black Crow is known for its laid back digs and artisan craft coffee, while SOG Cafe is popular for its plethora of solid coffee, and menu items ranging from acaí bowls to Cuban sandwiches.
Buddy Brew Coffee and Bandit Coffee Co. | Buddy Brew is beloved for its vanilla lattes, cookies, and eye-catching aesthetics, while Bandit is frequented for its in-house roasted coffee and full-kitchen menu.
Armetta’s Gelato and Caffè and GulfPerk Coffee Bar | Folks head to Armetta’s for their latte and pastery options, and GulfPerk for its beachy vibes and seasonal drinks.
Provisions Coffee and Kitchen and Spaddy’s Coffee Co. | Provisions is a hot spot for its fresh, locally roasted beans and cozy interiors, while Spaddy’s is popular for its funky Airstream courtyard vibes and strong brews.

How it works

Beginning today, we will host several voting rounds within our newsletters and social channels to determine TBAY’s best coffee shop. Who moves on is up to you. Vote for your favorites, and the java joint with more votes moves on. Simple as that. We’ll go until we have a champion, which will be announced in our Monday, March 25 newsletter. You will be able to vote once per round.

How to participate

Vote for the coffee shop you’d like to see advance to round two using this poll. You can vote for all four spots or as little as one. Once we count all the votes, we’ll share an updated bracket and new poll in an upcoming newsletter.

Want to fill out a bracket to see if you can guess who will win? Download and print the image above to take the competition up a notch. If your bracket is correct, send us a photo for a shoutout + bragging rights.

Ready to cheer your “team” to victory? Vote at the button below. ⬇️

Battle of the Coffee Shops

Events

Monday, March 4

“The New Couple in 5B” Launch Event | Monday, March 4 | 7-8 p.m. | Coastal Creative, 2201 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | $29 | Celebrate the launch of TBAY author Lisa Unger’s newest thriller, in which a couple inherits an apartment with a spooky past — ticket price includes a copy.

Tuesday, March 5

A TBBW Beer Tasting Event w/ Hidden Springs Ale Works | Tuesday, March 5 | 6-9 p.m. | bin + board, 807 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon | $85 | Enjoy five locally-made beers from Hidden Springs Ale Works paired with thoughtful dishes.

Wednesday, March 6

Rays vs. Yankees | Wednesday, March 6 | 1:05 p.m. | George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Dr., Tampa | $45+ | Watch the Yankees take on our Tampa Bay Rays at this Spring Training face-off.
Mat Pilates with BODYROK | Wednesday, March 6 | 5:30-6:15 p.m. | Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa | Free with reservation | Push through the midweek slump with this guided, hybrid Pilates sequences — bring your own mat.

Thursday, March 7

Napa & Sonoma Wine Evening | Thursday, March 7 | 6-9 p.m. | Cru Cellars, 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa | $99+ | Sample 30+ bottles, including whites, bubbles, pinots, cabs and other wines, from these regions and enjoy eats — your ticket includes a festive t-shirt.
The Jacksons | Thursday, March 7 | 8 p.m. | Seminole Hard Rock, 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa | $30-$120 | Members of the original Jackson 5 take the stage for hits like “Enjoy Yourself,” “Blame It On The Boogie,” “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground),” and “Can You Feel It.”

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Open

It’s a family affair. 1 Chick 1 Bro Cafe Bistro recently opened in Gulfport at 1431 49th St. S. The Venezuelan eatery serves dishes like arepas, tres leches, veggie bowls, and more, including breakfast bites. (I Love the Burg)

Watch

It’s time to Rock the Block. The HGTV show’s new season, which features Treasure Island homes, premieres tonight at 9 p.m. Contestants will transform waterfront homes using $250,000 — all for the ultimate bragging rights. (I Love the Burg)

Transit

Hillsborough Regional Transit Authority is asking the city for a potential millage rate increase to help cover costs. Right now, HART has a millage rate of 0.5, bringing in 50 cents for every $1,000 in assessed home value. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Travel

One ticket to West Palm Beach, please. Silver Airways is launching flights from TPA to PBI starting tomorrow, March 5. The service will run twice daily Sunday-Friday and once a day on Saturdays. (That’s So Tampa)

Edu

The incoming school year may bring new cell phone restrictions for Pinellas County Schools students. District officials are proposing that students keep their phones turned off + away during class — with more strict rules for elementary and middle school students. The proposal comes before the board at a workshop discussion tomorrow, March 5. (Tampa Bay Times)

Real Estate

A waterfront Sunset Park home just sold for $10 million. The scenic property features a 5,265-sqft custom home with five bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, a dreamy pool and outdoor escape, plus a dock with access right to the Bay. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Sports

Get prepped for this week’s Spring Training action. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Shop

Visiting another city and looking for a brunch as good as Oxford Exchange? Check a map. Having trouble picking a credit card? Check The Ascent. They recommend this card for its incredible perks (like 0% interest on balance transfers for almost two years + 2% cash back).*

Culture

⏰ We’d live this day again

Here’s how we spent Leap Day in Tampa Bay

The view from City Editor Bailey’s stroll. | Photo by TBAYtoday

Hi TBAY, City Editor Bailey here. I asked you to choose how I should spend my Leap Day in TBAY, and it turns out our readers might just have a future as event planners.

As suggested, I kicked off my extra 24 hours with coffee. I stopped by Kahwa for a latte and a croissant breakfast sandwich — an absolute must — and headed off on my Leap Day journey.

Joined by Sage the dog of course, I took a fast-paced walk around Walter Fuller Park’s beautiful loop. The trail features overhangs to watch wildlife, a butterfly garden, and access to the park’s many amenities, like a dog park and pickleball courts.

Then I headed over the bridge for a little coworking at Armature Works. No surprises here, but it was a blissfully sunny and cool day. I holed up at one of the rocking chairs on the lawn with my laptop + edited a newsletter.

See where else the day took me

The Buy

The Buy 3.04.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Mary Benson Art Collection is the solution to beautifully brightening your walls this spring.

Share TBAYtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_2}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Bailey

From the editor

And, just in case you missed it, I recorded my Leap Day adventure for Instagram. Take a peek.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

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.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY