11.27.2024

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Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 2:11 p.m. | Low: 7:30 a.m. + 6:47 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 9:46 a.m. + 8:38 p.m. | Low: 2:50 p.m.

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Think big, shop small

Over 350 local makers join Shopapalooza Festival every year. | Photo by @shopapalooza_festival

Small Business Saturday, an initiative dedicated to celebrating and supporting small and locally-owned businesses + the impact they have in our communities, is on Saturday, Nov. 30.

The day falls between two of the biggest shopping days of the year — Black Friday and Cyber Monday — and has become an annual shopping tradition for many since its establishment by American Express in 2010.

If you’re looking to join in on the festivities this year, check out some of our favorite small businesses in town — and some extra suggestions from our followers.

Newsletter Editor Bailey loves to turn some pages at Book + Bottle in St. Pete, while Audience Editor Patrick loves a bite at TacoSon in Temple Terrace — but the whole team at TBAYtoday is eyeing the full Shop Small Tampa Directory.

Looking for more spots for your shopping spree? Check out these small businesses our followers love:

Maggie B’s Cookies | A couple of our followers tagged this local bake shop that won the 2024 Florida Strawberry Cookie Contest.
Look Alive Coffee Roasters | @david.hutch shared this St. Pete spot with wholesale and subscription coffee + cute merch.
Spenny Lane Shop | This mother and daughter-owned shop sells unique and reworked vintage designs.
Shopapalooza Festival | Of course, no Small Business Saturday is complete without a visit to Shopapalooza, featuring 350+ local makers and small businesses.

Want to share some more small business love? Make sure to tag your favorite local businesses in the comments of our post.

Reminder: Shopping + supporting small isn’t limited to just this day — we love letting our local businesses shine all year long in our collection of City Guides.

Asked

How much did consumers spend for Small Business Saturday at retailers and restaurants in the US in 2023?

A. $10 billion
B. $15 billion
C. $17 billion
D. $20 billion

Let's talk turkey

Events

Wednesday, Nov. 27

Thursday, Nov. 28

10th Annual Misfits Thanksgiving Dinner | 6-10 p.m. | Bar@548, St. Petersburg | Price of purchase | Bring a dish and receive 50% off your bar tab at this community Thanksgiving dinner.

Friday, Nov. 29

Shimmering Lights Winter Walk-Thru Light Show | Friday, Nov. 29-Wednesday, Dec. 25 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Sunkissed Acres, Dover | $9+ | Stroll through displays of holiday lights while listening to seasonal tunes, let kiddos play in the foam area, and cozy up to watch classic Christmas films.

Saturday, Nov. 30

Holiday Sip & Sprout Plant Festival | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Metals & Nature, Plant City | Free | Put a botanical twist on your holiday shopping with a collection of greenery and garden decor.

“Encanto": The Sing-Along Film Concert | 6-8 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa | $15+ | We don’t talk about Bruno, but we do sing along to “Encanto” at this film concert accompanied by a live band.

More events this way

Click here to have your event featured.

Biz

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News Notes

Community

$29.17 million. That’s how much additional funding FEMA recently approved for Tampa following hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. In case you missed it, the FEMA application deadline was also extended to Tuesday, Jan. 7. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Development

A former Pinellas Park manufacturing facility has been demolished to make way for a planned mixed-use development anchored by Mastry’s Brewing Co. The project is set to feature a 5,000-sqft brewery and a 36,000-sqft space for offices, studios, commissary kitchens, event areas, a tap room, and a rooftop venue. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Opening

Jacksonville’s Sun-Ray Cinema is moving to Tampa, with an opening slated for Wednesday, Dec. 11. The 10-screen theater will initially launch with three screens and include a 4,000-sqft kitchen serving up food and drinks that can be delivered to your movie seat. (That’s So Tampa)

Sports

Amidst stadium turmoil, the Tampa Bay Rays and MLB made 2025 schedule adjustments to avoid playing too many games in the Florida heat. The Rays will swap a home-and-away series with the Angels and the Twins; road games will take place in Tampa in April and May, and the Rays will head to Minnesota and Anaheim in July and August. (Tampa Bay Times)

Eat

The International Food Truck Festival will return to Tampa Saturday, Dec. 14-Sunday, Dec. 15. From 12 to 6 p.m., you can head to Tampa Premium Outlets and donate a new toy or spend $5 for access to 50 food trucks slinging international cuisine. Bonus: Proceeds from the festival will benefit Celebrate Birthdays. (That’s So Tampa)

Closing

Hillsborough County’s disaster recovery center at Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library will officially close at 7 p.m. today. The center is set to reopen at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2 at the Ruskin Code Enforcement Building. You can find other center locations online.

Open

The Peach Cobbler Factory — a Nashville-based dessert shop known for its cobbler, cinnamon rolls, and banana pudding — is now open at The Food Truck Culture. Stop by for treats like NY cheesecake banana pudding, apple walnut raisin cobbler, and more. (That’s So Tampa)

Theater

The Straz Center announced that “HAMLET, Prince of Denmark” and “The Peking Acrobats” will be added to its 2025 lineup. Tickets for both shows will go on sale to the public Monday, Dec. 2 at 12 p.m.

Listen

It’s officially Rivalry Week in the SEC. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, and plenty of trash talk from the local experts of the SEC with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Arts

Experience the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art’s 14,000-sqft expansion for the first time, with “Dutch Impressionism: The Hague School, 1860-1930" on display now through Feb. 23. The free exhibit includes 80 rare paintings, never before seen in the U.S.*

Finance

Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (Yes, it sounds peppermint-mocha nuts. But it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Here are hands down some of the best.*

Shop

Black Friday’s come early at Madewell. Shop 30% off sitewide, including bestsellers like these leather ballet flats and this merino wool sweater.*

Try This

You know how awesome your business is, but do our 57,000+ readers? Visit our self-service ad portal to learn how TBAYtoday can help connect your business with our local audience — no long-term contract required.

Cause

Habitat for Humanity workers are putting up a house. People are wearing hard hats and raising a wall.

Help build homes for local families via Habitat for Humanities’ Hillsborough County or Tampa Bay Gulfside organizations. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit. Check out these local organizations where you can volunteer your time and energy during the season of giving.

Home Makers of Hope | Volunteer for pickups, home visits, warehouse duties, or donate some of your household goods to families in need.
Meals on Wheels of Tampa | Drive delivery routes and provide your neighbors with a hot meal and positive interaction.
Reach St. Pete | Use your special skills — such as IT, finance, or marketing — to volunteer, or sign up for an event from the organization’s volunteer calendar.
United Way Suncoast | Become a volunteer to help United Way’s mission of dismantling the barriers to human prosperity.
Feeding Tampa Bay | Volunteer at the warehouse or help distribute meals at the Groceries on the Go truck.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

20+ more volunteer opportunities

The Buy

A really good pickleball paddle — it’s rated 4.8 stars and is 62% off for early Black Friday. Notable features include: a larger sweet spot on the paddle + a handle with sweat-wicking ventilation for an anti-slip grip.

Shop more early Black Friday deals

The Wrap

I can’t stop going back to these adorable prints by local artist Ezra Sembler, featured in our 2024 holiday gift guide.

Here’s hoping she doesn’t read the newsletter while OOO.... Should I get Newsletter Editor Bailey this Book + Bottle print?

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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