05.08.2025

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89º | 20% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 6:44 a.m. | Sunset 8:08 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 1:32 p.m. | Low: 7:04 a.m. + 8:09 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 9:34 a.m. + 9:53 p.m. | Low: 3:48 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

It’s not your typical snacky fare

Presented by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union

The owner, Chance Ryan, stands beside one of his specialized blue vending machines which is decorated with vines and a mini fake giraffe.

The owner, Chance Ryan, stands beside one of his specialized vending machines. | Photo via Chance Ryan

We’ve been sharing all things Small Business Week powered by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, and here’s your latest installment.

Chance Ryan started Lucid Vending back in 2020, and says he loves that TBAY’s small biz scene is different “because, “someone who operates a business as unique and different as mine is accepted and embraced.”

How would you describe your business in two sentences or less?

“Refurbished, retro, hand-painted vending machines that sell local items/art and other cool novelties customized specifically for busy late night bars and independent breweries throughout Tampa Bay.”

When someone visits your small business for the first time, the one thing they have to do, see, or try is?

“I make city-wide scavenger hunts that take you to cool places, points of interests all over town. You complete challenges, earn points, and I meet up with you at a bar somewhere and I award you a mystery prize package with cool stuff.”

What other spots should you check out?

Our Small Business Week coverage is powered by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, where you’ll find better banking for your local business.

Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board

Events

Thursday, May 8

Ybor Chamber After Hours | 4:30 p.m. | BarrieHaus Beer Co. | $0-$10 | Mingle with other local professionals over some light snacks and one TBAY-brewed beer.

Real Talk About Financing Your Business: Small Business Week | 6-7 p.m. | St. Pete Greenhouse | Free | Brent Everett from the Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation divulges info on types of business plans, funding sources, and credit requirements.

Orin Swift Wine Tasting Dinner | 6:30 p.m. | Epicurean Hotel | $100 | Sit back for a feast where each course is paired with one Orin Swift Cellars blend + intel on tasting notes and insights on the winery’s heritage.

Friday, May 9

WUSF’s Florida Matters | 6:30 p.m. | Palladium Theater | Free | Pack into the historic venue for a special taping of the WUSF podcast, focused on the the crucial role community plays in hurricane recovery.

Tampa Bay Symphony Spring Scheherazade | 8-10 p.m. | New Tampa Performing Arts Center | $0-$25 | Start the weekend off with an enchanting performance of “The Tale of Shahrazad, A Journey of Love,” “Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 57,” and “Scheherazade, Symphonic Suite, Op. 35.”

Saturday, May 10

Goodwill Suncoast’s 9th Annual Hippie Dash | 6:30-11:30 a.m. | Safety Harbor Waterfront Park | $80 | Pull on those sneaks for the Keep on Truckin’ 15K, 10K, 5K, 1-Mile Walk, Woof & Roll, or Flower Child Fun Run for Kids, then party with eats, beer, an awards celebration, and a vintage VW car show.

Mat Pilates With JETSET Pilates | 9-10 a.m. | Armature Works | Free | Use your body weight as resistance in this guided class that engages your core and energizes you for the day ahead.

Mother’s Day Weekend Sourdough Class | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Hyde House Public Studio | $105 | Spend the morning in the elegant, light-filled space, learning the craft of baking sourdough over a drink and fresh bread — leave with a ready-to-bake dough + a sourdough starter.

AAPI Cultural Celebration | 6-9 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, Lakeland | Free | Experience the cultures of Japan, Hawaii, India, New Zealand, and more through live dances, performances, food vendors, lawn games, and crafts.*

Sunday, May 11

Sunday Serenades: Mother’s Day Edition | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Midtown Commons | Free | Pregame or postgame Mother’s Day brunch with some tunes from Jerry ‘Toledo’ Northup on the lawn.

Find your bliss

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Gov. Ron DeSantis says he’ll sign the bill to ban building golf courses, hotels, and sports facilities at state parks. House Bill 209 also requires Florida to compile an inventory of necessary repairs to state parks + make a plan to address them. When? The report is due Dec. 1. (Tampa Bay Times)

Development

Gears are shifting again on the historic Gas Plant District redevelopment project. St. Pete leaders are looking at new opportunities for the 86-acre site, after the Rays’ deal fell through. Mayor Ken Welch said he would consider extending the Rays’ lease on the Trop — which sits within the historic district. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Travel

We’re headed north this fall. Breeze is rolling out new routes from Tampa International to Lansing, Michigan, Rochester, New York, and Wilmington, North Carolina. The routes launch in October — just in time for leaf peepin’. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Arts

Speaking of TPA, Swiss visual artist Claudia Comte is installing her “Starfish Family and Dancing Algae” nearby the incoming Airside D shuttle lobby and the Red Express Curbs. The sculpture features multiple starfish aimed to invoke serenity for travelers. (That’s So Tampa)

Try This

The Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization wants to know if — and how — Tampa residents would use the Brightline. Take the survey before May 31 to make your voice heard. Bonus: All participants will be entered in a giveaway for an $100 grocery gift card. (WUSF News)

Real Estate

A piece of Cigar City history is on the market. Yeah, that’s right, the home where Tom Brady filmed a swath of commercials. Beyond bragging rights, the Harbour Island home also boasts a deep-water dock, courtyard, 5 bedrooms, and 5 baths. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Listen

The Lightning’s captains, coaching staff, and front office are all still excellent pieces comprising a strong Lightning team. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Biz

Grow your business savings with a MIDFLORIDA Business Money Market Account. Earn 4.25% APY on balances over $250,000 — a smart way to make your money work harder while you focus on growing your business.*

Featured Deal

Visit St. Pete-Clearwater is offering up to a $100 Visa gift card when you book during the Book Your Sunny Getaway Deal. Book before Saturday, May 31 to score the deal and discover beaches, dining + activities for the whole family.*

Finance

You know that moment when a company goes from “never heard of” to “suddenly everywhere?” That’s RAD Intel — and you can still invest. Join their supporters like Adobe and Fidelity by end of day today, May 8.†‡*

Stat

$8,000+. That’s how much you could spend if your dog breaks a bone in a car crash, fall, or collision — from wound treatment and x-rays to emergency surgery and aftercare. Luckily, this pet insurance plan could reimburse you up to 90% of that cost.*

Outdoors

Precious cargo incoming

A group of coral biologists wearing blue shirts saying "The Florida Aquarium" load a giant white cooler into a truck.

Coral biologists carefully loaded the van. | Photo via The Florida Aquarium

Yesterday, a young crew made the long drive from Apollo Beach down to the Keys, but not for day drinking at Capt. Tony’s Saloon.

Coral biologists packed a brood of 1,050 coral babies into massive white coolers and slowly lowered them into a van for the journey to the Keys Marine Laboratory.

The elkhorn corals were generated from corals rescued from the Keys and raised at the Florida Aquarium. Now they’ll be planted on the reef or cared for in ocean-based nurseries — bolstering the health of Florida’s famed reefs.

The move comes at a critical time, as Florida prepares for another summer of likely record-breaking heat. The coral babies were spawned by from rescues from Florida’s Coral Reef — pulled from the waters before 2023’s mass-bleaching event decimated the reefs.

“The coral juveniles we are transferring today are made up of many new mother and father combinations that we hope will be more resilient to future stressors,” Keri O’Neil, director of the Aquarium’s Coral Conservation Program, said in a release.

Shop

Feature your biz in our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide

Put your business in front of thousands of daily readers. | Graphic by 6AM City

This month, we launched our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide to showcase gifts that say I appreciate you to parents, grandparents, neighbors, mentors, and life-long friends.

While we’ve already filled all our slots ahead of Mother’s Day, we’ve opened up a few more for Father’s Day.

Whether your business offers a neat product, one-of-a-kind gift, or unique service that could be enjoyed by a father figure — we want to feature it. Secure your spot by Friday, May 23.

Use code PGG2025 for 20% off

The Buy

It’s easy to support small businesses across the globe when you shop unique + one-of-a-kind products on Etsy. One of our favorite things to browse is Etsy’s selection of custom artwork. These are five of our favorites:

🖼️ A minimalist custom house illustration done in the color of your choice.
🖼️ A top-rated watercolor portrait of your pet(s).
🖼️ A cartoon-style family portrait that can feature up to eight people and pets.
🖼️ A vibrant wall poster customized with the birth years of your family members.
🖼️ A watercolor portrait made from a photo of your choosing.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Yesterday, we asked “What kind of spots would you like to see more of?” And the consensus is clear: 58% of folks said casual eateries, and another 40% said rooftop bars. Take note prospective business owners.

‡This offering is made pursuant to Regulation A Round and involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The Company valuation is set by RAD Intel. Please review all offering materials before making an investment decision.

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