Plus, Ella's is closing.
 
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Today’s Forecast

90º | 50% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:02 a.m. | Sunset 8:02 p.m.
Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 3:36 p.m. | Low: 9:22 a.m. + 10:53 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 12:30 p.m. | Low: 6:19 a.m. + 7:24 p.m. | Full Weather Report | Traffic Report
 

Cozy up or find a shady spot

Cozy up with a book at these Tampa Bay reading spots
A sprawling tree at Eureka Springs Park. There are tentacle-like branches covered in Spanish Moss and greenery surrounding the arbor. A blue sky is visible through the leaves and plants sit beneath the tree.
Tampa Bay parks offer serenity and calm in the great outdoors. | Photo by Hillsborough County
Sometimes nothing can beat a good book. Whether you’re into romantasy, historical fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or any other strain of ink stains, there’s plenty of places to page turn across the Tampa Bay area.

Among the books

If you prefer your reads among the smell of parchment, surround yourself with books at a bookshop or library. We’re big fans of book + bottle in St. Pete, which describes itself as both “a bookstore with wine” and “a wine bar with books.” In Tampa, Mojo Books & Records offers nooks within its shelves, and great cups of joe.

When the weather eases off, Tombolo Books’ courtyard offers tranquility alongside fellow bookworms. Or, combine serenity with elegance at one of our area’s most beloved destinations: Oxford Exchange.

With a cup of coffee

This section could be Tolstoy-length if we’re not careful. With arguably too much choice, let’s keep it simple with five quiet coffee caves to cozy up at:
As always, let us know if we missed your fave.
What about the great outdoors?
 
Events
Tuesday, Aug. 20
Wednesday, Aug. 21
  • AARP Day | Wednesday, Aug. 21 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Tampa Bay History Center | Free | AARP members get free admission to the museum on the third Wednesday of every month.
  • Armature Works Run Club | Wednesday, Aug. 21 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Armature Works | Free | Take a scenic 5K run along the Tampa Riverwalk + treat yourself to a bite after.
Thursday, Aug. 22
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Open

💸 Doors officially open at Bank of Central Florida’s new location
An exterior render of the new Bank of Central Florida TBAY location.
As a nod to the neighborhood, the new space features historic images of the local community. | Image provided by Bank of Central Florida | Member FDIC
Cue the red ribbon and oversized scissors, because Bank of Central Florida is celebrating the grand opening of its first-ever branch built from the ground up.

Located in the heart of South Tampa’s SoHo District, the luxe new space marks a growth milestone two-and-a-half years in the making.

It is also the sixth location for the local biz, whose Vision 2025 Strategy aims to connect with communities along the I-4 corridor + offer personalized banking solutions from Orlando to Tampa.
Stop by the new space
News Notes
Closing
  • Ella’s Folk Art Cafe is closing its doors after 15 years in business. The Seminole Heights eatery has established a cult-like following during its tenure, but will shutter on Sunday, Sept. 1. That means you’ve got 12 days to say your goodbyes.
Today Is
  • Florida’s primary. There is only one statewide race on the ballot today, in which incumbent Sen. Rick Scott will learn his opponent for the upcoming election. Voters will also decide on various local positions across the state, and may give clues as to what awaits in November. (Tampa Bay Times)
Sports
  • Brooke Hendrix, remember the name. She scored Tampa Bay Sun Football Club’s first-ever goal during Sunday night’s inaugural game. Tampa’s first professional women’s soccer team tied 1-1 vs. Dallas Trinity thanks to Hendrix’s game-tying goal. The renovated Riverfront Stadium was sold out for the historic encounter. We were there too.
Open
  • There’s a new spot for a bite in SoHo. SoulFul just opened at 1101 S. Howard Ave. and boasts a Los Angeles-inspired menu with salads, wraps, and bowls up for grabs. The eatery is part of the Ciccio Restaurant Group.
Real Estate
  • The share of homes worth $1 million or more is increasing in the Tampa Bay area. A new Redfin report shows a year-over-year increase from 4.8% to 5.1%. Of the 50 metro areas included in the report, all but three saw a similar increase. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Development
  • West Tampa’s Bustillo Brothers y Diaz Cigar Factory now lives on as student housing. University of Tampa students are moving into the 121-year-old building ahead of the new school year. (Tampa Bay Times)
Community
  • A previously missing Great Horned Owl is back with the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay. Officials say Charlie left his enclosure during Tropical Storm Debby and were looking for him in the Brandon area. Yesterday, they said he made it home. (ABC Action News)
Listen
  • The Magic could be a top seed in the East. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Orlando Magic with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Number
  • 22%. That’s how much auto insurance rates have increased over the last year. Stop overpaying + find a better rate when you get a free, no-obligation quote from Savvy.*
 
Sports

⚡ Let’s go Bolts

Get ready for the Lightning’s 2024-2025 theme nights
Four Lightning players smile and celebrate on the ice. Two are fist-bumping, and the crowd at Amalie Arena is visible in the background.
The countdown to the new season is on. | Photo via Tampa Bay Lightning
There are just 52 days left until the Tampa Bay Lightning begin their campaign for a fourth Stanley Cup title. Ahead of the upcoming season, the team announced a slew of theme + group nights, so the Thunder can prepare to roar from Amalie Arena’s rafters. Here are a few we’re looking forward to:
  • Game One Opening Night | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 7 p.m. | vs. Carolina Hurricanes
  • Halloween Night | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 7 p.m. | vs. Washington Capitals
  • Military Appreciation Night | Thursday, Nov. 7 | 7 p.m. | vs. Philadelphia Flyers
  • 90s Night | Thursday, Dec. 5 | 7 p.m. | vs. San Jose Sharks
  • Gasparilla Night | Saturday, Jan. 18 | 7 p.m. | vs. Detroit Red Wings
  • Kids Day | Saturday, March 29 | 2 p.m. | vs. New York Islanders
  • Neurodiversity Night | Wednesday, April 9 | 7 p.m. | vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
The full list is online, and single-game tickets are now on sale.
The Buy

The Buy 8.20.24 (Affiliate)
A laundry hamper cabinet. This easy-to-assemble space-saver comes complete with a hidden compartment for the laundry hamper, as well as a drawer and shelves that are functional storage solutions.
More worth The Buy
Answered

We asked if you’ve been to Juno & the Peacock yet

The front of Juno & the Peacock. Red and white striped umbrellas sit above tables outside the restaurant, whose name is written in gold letters on a while building. Greenery and trees surround the building, and a mostly cloudy but somewhat blue sky is above.

The former 400 Beach location is generating quite the buzz.

|

Photo by TBAYtoday

After we reviewed Beach Drive’s buzzy new restaurant, we wanted to know how many of our readers have been yet.

Only 13% have made the trip so far, but most of you — 73% — say you’re looking forward to it. And rightly so. If you still need convincing, here’s some more encouragement.
 
The Wrap
 
City Editor Patrick holding his very fluffy dog next to a trophy.

Today’s edition by:
Patrick
From the editor
In honor of my dog’s birthday, I changed my Wrap photo for the day. Arthur is turning six today — doesn’t time fly?

I’ll be taking him to Two Shepherds Taproom to celebrate the occasion, where he can run around and get away from his younger brother. He’s also the star of our seasonal summer tips for dogs guide.
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