April 12, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

🍎 History class is in session

A black and white photo of Franklin Street in Downtown Tampa taken around 1930. The Tampa Theater is visible in the background, while people walk about in fashion of the time, palm trees are visible, and streetcars make their way through streets. There are some cars around too, and shadows imply it is sunny.

Franklin Street in Downtown Tampa, taken c. 1930. | Photo via Florida Memory

Following our look at the Roaring 20s, it’s time to move on to the next decade. Both Tampa and St. Pete underwent significant change + challenges following the impacts of the Great Depression in 1929.

Despite economic hardship, job insecurity, and the growing threat of global conflict, our area continued to grow + emerged with hope for a brighter future.

A black and white photo of a train platform. There are scores of people unloading bananas from a train and carrying them on their shoulders. — People unloading bananas in Tampa, 1930.
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Photo via Florida Memory

In this economy?

The Great Depression decimated every local economy, and Tampa was no exception. The 1920s saw the Cigar City’s cigar production line accelerate to new heights, peaking in 1929 with 500+ million rolled. But there was an immediate decline. Just four years later in 1933, ~42% fewer cigars made it out of the factories.

To steady the ship in the Big Guava, Robert E. Lee Chancey was elected mayor in 1931. To balance the books, Chancey slashed budgets, including $100,000 from the police and fire department, equivalent to ~$2 million in 2024. Despite his best efforts, he borrowed $750,000 — roughly $15 million in today’s money — to steer Tampa through the Great Depression.

A black and white photo of the University of Tampa taken in 1937. The silver minarets are visible above the trees in the foreground. The sun is shining down on the building. — The University of Tampa, 1937.
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Photo via Hillsborough County Public Libraries

A tip for the iced-Burg

St. Pete needed similar help to navigate murky financial waters. The 20s saw an explosion of infrastructure development, with the likes of the Vinoy + Don CeSar hotels, the Coliseum, the Shuffleboard Club, the History Museum, and the Florida Theater all opening their doors. As with many parts of the country, 1929 ground construction to a halt.

It was the 1933-elected Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” which revived St. Pete’s infrastructure ascendancy. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Burg received an amount equivalent to ~$22 million today in federal funds. The US Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg opened in 1933, and the St. Petersburg Tennis Club moved to Bartlett Park in 1935. Most notably, construction finished on City Hall in 1939 — the same city hall in use today.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg...

Class isn't over yet

Events

Friday, April 12

Putt Putt Pop-Up | Friday, April 12-Sunday, April 14 | Times vary | Water Street Tampa, 536 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $10 | Unleash your inner Tiger across the buzzy neighborhood’s temporary courses and try out the golf simulator.
Rays vs. Giants | Friday, April 12-Monday, April 15 | Times vary | Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg | $10+ | The Rays return to the Sunshine City for a home series against the boys from out west.

Saturday, April 13

Keel Farms Blueberry Festival | Saturday, April 13-Sunday, April 21 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel & Curley Winery, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free | Celebrate blueberry season with family activities + blueberry treats — parking is $10.
“The Little Mermaid” | Saturday, April 13 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 N. Central Ave., Tampa | Free | Enjoy this screening of the live-action remake of the Disney classic — registration recommended.
14th Annual Crawfish & Craft Beer Festival | Saturday, April 13 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Founders Square Park at Winthrop Town Centre, 11289 Winthrop Main St., Riverview | Free | Browse a range of vendors serving up tasty eats + drinks, and your dog is welcome too.
Danny Avila | Saturday, April 13 | 12-8 p.m. | wtr pool, 7700 W. Courtney Campbell Cswy., Tampa | $20+ | Head to the waterfront venue to groove along to the sounds of this DJ from southern Spain.

Sunday, April 14

Indie Flea | Sunday, April 14 | 12 p.m. | 1920 Ybor, 1920 E. 7th Ave., Tampa | Free entry | Browse hundreds of vendors at the final flea of the season, where art, plants, vintage threads, and a whole host of other treasures await.
STEPS Ballet Ensemble | Sunday, April 14 | 2 p.m. | Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $30 | The pre-professional classical ballet ensemble presents excerpts from “The Sleeping Beauty.”

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Award

The recognition for TBAY’s foodie scene keeps on coming. The recently opened Streetlight Taco just received the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand distinction, which “recognizes friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.” The 2024 Florida Guide’s star reveal is next week. (Tampa Bay Times)

Number

$10.2 million. That’s how much money is going toward Raymond H. Neri Park in Pinellas County. Located at 4303 46th Ave. N. in Lealman, the unused green space will be transformed with a playground, picnic shelters, two dog parks, and playing fields, among other upgrades. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Plan Ahead

The developments roll on for USF’s new football stadium. The Bulls just released new renderings for the ~$340 million project set to open in 2027. But wait, there’s more. USF has also announced when ground will be broken — during Homecoming Week in October.

Coming Soon

A former breakfast fave is making a grand return. First Watch is expected to open in Downtown Tampa this fall at East Madison St. and North Ashley Dr. The eatery was previously in the area for almost 20 years, before being demolished early last year. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Eat

St. Pete’s Pin on Cafe will move up the road from 1100 Central Ave. to 2458 Central Ave. The relocation is due to construction on the EDGE Collective mixed-use development project. The new location for the Asian fusion spot will be twice the size + boast a backyard. (St. Pete Rising)

Try This

Spaddy’s Coffee Co. is embracing the Masters Tournament spirit. TBAYtoday’s Coffee Shop Bracket winner is running a drink in honor of the event — the Courtyard Azalea. Its ingredients include lemonade, grenadine, and Green Jacket dreams.

Ranked

7.9. That’s the joint-best ranking Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy dished out on his Tampa Bay pizza tour. Portnoy stopped at more than a dozen slice houses, ending up with a best of 7.9 for both Forbici in Hyde Park Village + the Violet Stone in St. Pete. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Sports

Oh captain, my captain — Steven Stamkos is shining again. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Culture

⏱️ Don’t dilly-Dalí

A black and white photo of Salvador Dalí. His mustache is curled up at the edges as he strikes his quintessential wide-eyed pose. He is holding a cat against his face and they are both staring at the lens close up.

The Dalí Museum was founded in 1982. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to speak with one of the world’s most celebrated artists? Well now you (kind of) can.

This week, The Dalí Museum launched its “Ask Dalí" experience, allowing museum-goers the chance to converse with an AI-created version of Salvador. It was tested at SXSW in Austin earlier this year in front of a sold-out crowd.

The latest technology and machine-learning models have studied a range of Dalí's writings + audio recordings. This not only means his voice echoes reality, but his unconventional personality traits and quirks also come through in his speech.

If that’s not surreal enough for you, a replica of Dalí's “Lobster Phone” sculpture is the means of communication. Visitors need only pick up the phone, pose a question, and await his whimsical insights.

What would you ask Dalí?

The Buy

A ClassPass membership, which lets you use multiple local gyms, fitness studios, and spas with just one membership. We like: Getting 14 days free when you sign up — meaning you can finally see if that gym you’ve been eyeing is worth it.

Answered

Earlier this week, we asked which new and upcoming Tampa Bay area restaurant you were most excited for.

A rendering of the outside of Juno & the Peacock. There are red chairs under red and white umbrellas, with tables set for people to eat. The doors are open on the left to the inside of the restaurant, and there are lights + greenery around to create a calming atmosphere. — Juno & the Peacock sits in a prime location.
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Rendering via Juno & the Peacock

It was a blowout, to say the least.

With ~83% of votes, Juno & the Peacock is causing quite the stir + excitement. The upcoming spot is taking over the former 400 Beach location on St. Pete’s Beach Drive, and will serve coastal American eats. The restaurant will also house Pluma — a cocktail lounge serving up modern twists on timeless drinks. A summer opening is in the works.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Patrick

From the editor

Treat yourself to a coffee + some coworking bliss on this fine April Friday. I am a big fan of Victory Coffee in Tampa’s Channel District.

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