06.26.2024

Today’s Forecast

🛍️ You could shop... until it dropped

Dead malls: You could shop... until they dropped

A neon purple "food court" sign illuminates a dark mall area. A green and white map of the mall is pictured in the forefront.

Seminole Mall’s food court circa 2010. | Photo by cherbonsy via Flickr

Shopping malls across America have been left in a state that not even Paul Blart could save, and the Tampa Bay area is no exception.

Known as “dead malls,” these abandoned, dilapidated, or mostly vacant shopping centers have become a subject of fascination — especially thanks to the online popularity of liminal space aesthetics.

Let’s go to the mall

What is now the 40-acre Seminole City Center was once another bustling hub — Seminole Mall.

Seminole Mall originally opened in 1965 and in its heyday was home to spots like Publix, Eckerd Drugs, Pup’s Pub (no relation), and Jet Shoes, adding department stores like J. Byrons and McCrory after expanding a few years later. Longtime residents may remember the mall hosting monthly entertainment + the green alligator structure.

In Largo, the former Crossroads Mall — before that, Bay Area Outlet Mall — is now just a memory. Back in the day, it was the only outlet mall in Pinellas County, with stores like Dress Barn, Rack Room, and Music 4 Less + eateries such as Sardo’s Italian Restaurant and Coffee Cafe.

Back to the future

Now, both former malls are gone after each sat nearly empty as dead malls for years; Seminole Mall was demolished in 2015 to become the busy shopping and entertainment district it is today, and Crossroads Mall went from outlet mall to grocery store.

Though these malls have changed, Tampa Bay still has a number of other thriving shopping centers or districts where you can make like NSYNC and buy, buy, buy:

International Plaza and Bay Street | With 25+ full-service restaurants, bars, and grab-and-go eateries — plus its proximity to downtown Tampa’s swathe of attractions — you’ll want to clear a full day.
Tampa Premium Outlets | Shop 110+ stores, then tap in at Tapville for bites, cocktail flights, and a self-pour wine wall.
The Mall at Sundial | Just off the waterfront, this downtown St. Pete shopping center is the perfect place to grab a bite, shop around, and then cool off with a movie at the mall’s AMC Theater.

Asked

Do you have memories of a local mall from back in the day?

First date at the food court, trying on prom dresses at the department store, hitting up Orange Julius before picking up the perfect graphic tee at Hot Topic — we want to hear it all.

Blast from the past

Events

Wednesday, June 26

Medieval Machines | Wednesday, June 26 | 10:30-11:45 a.m. | Ruskin Branch Library, 26 Dickman Dr. SE, Ruskin | Free | Launch your way into medieval history and take home a small windmill craft — recommended ages 6-12.
Brews & Bracelets | Wednesday, June 26 | 6-8 p.m. | 3 Daughters Brewing, 222 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg | $32 | Craft two customized bracelets + enjoy delicious local brews.

Thursday, June 27

Think Like A Woman Co-Working Day | Thursday, June 27 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Sorry Not Public, 512 N. Franklin St., Ste. 200, Tampa | $10 | Join other woman entrepreneurs, founders, and freelancers for a day of collaboration + motivation.
Community Plant Swap in the Green Building Courtyard | Thursday, June 27 | 6-8 p.m. | Beach House 5317, 2135 3rd Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Bring a plant to exchange + shop around the site’s artist studios.

Friday, June 28

Graphic Worlds: Exploring Comic and Anime Art | Friday, June 28 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $5-$15 | The museum’s latest exhibition explores the dynamic world of visual art, including paintings and illustrations, video art, and sculpture.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority unanimously adopted a new capital spending plan. The program totals $882 million over six years, including ~$400 million for the South Selmon project and $72.9 million on Whiting Street improvements. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Development

San Francisco-based real estate firm Hamilton Zanze & Co. purchased Jade, a North Hyde Park apartment complex built in 2022, for $50.8 million. Coffee and wine bar Tango Brew currently occupies the complex’s commercial space. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Eat

Floridian Social is offering $500 to the — ahem — “glizzy gladiator” who can down the most hot dogs at its 2nd annual hot dog eating contest on the Fourth of July. Registration is free, but be ready to top last year’s record of 18 dogs in 10 minutes. (I Love the Burg)

Watch

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are opening up two training camp practices to the public on Thursday, July 25 and Friday, Aug. 2. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, June 27 — but Krewe Members can buy tickets to these + four more exclusive preseason practices right now. (WTSP)

Active

Tampa Pickleball Crew + Water Street Tampa will host free, monthly pickleball pop-ups at Sparkman Wharf on Tuesday, July 16; Tuesday, August 13; and Monday, September 9. Courts will be open 9 a.m.-9 p.m., with instructors on hand for dedicated beginner hours in the morning and evening. (That’s So Tampa)

Trending

Tampa Bay is welcoming two trending treats. Room + Fig is now serving Espresso Martini Trees — of TikTok fame — with flavors like Tequila Chili and Salted Caramel. In New Tampa, Hello Sweetness has added viral crackling lattes to its range of sweet offerings. (That’s So Tampa)

Try This

What’s a birthday party without ice cream? Celebrate Small Batch Creamery’s second anniversary in St. Pete tomorrow, June 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. with a free scoop, plus face painting, balloon animals, and a DJ. (I Love the Burg)

Sports

Are the Bucs a top 10 NFL team ahead of the 2024 season? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Finance

This card is a cash rewards dream, ft. unlimited cash rewards on purchases, a $200 bonus after spending $500, and a long intro APR on purchases + balance transfers. Reward seekers, say it with us: Cha-ching.*

Art

📸 Smile for the camera

Tampa International Airport to host 2024 International Photography Competition

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge captured from below and up close. The sky is blue and there are very few clouds, while the water below the bridge is a richer shade of blue with waves.

You may recognize “Cruising under the Skyway Bridge” from TBAYtoday’s own photo contest. | Photo by Eileen G.

The Florida Museum of Photographic Art’s annual International Photography Contest will hold its opening reception tonight, June 26, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Tampa International Airport.

Photographers from 59 countries submitted over 2,500 photos to the contest, making it the museum’s largest to date. Categories include portraiture, nature photography, and photojournalism.

Winners have been determined by a panel of world-famous photographers, and will be revealed at the reception — but even if you miss it, you have until Sunday, August 25 to see the winners, which will remain on display in the airport.

Meanwhile, check out last year’s winners, including the Best in Competition: Angelika Kollin’s “Everyday Saint Lucy.”

The Buy

The Buy 6.26.24 (Affiliate)

A margarita pool float (yes, that’s a thing — complete with a giant lime).

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Dayten

From the editor

Some other liminal spaces: darkened school hallways, closed-down pools, inactive arcades, and, of course, empty office buildings. In case you were looking for more nightmare fuel.

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