08.05.2025

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93º | 50% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 6:54 a.m. | Sunset 8:16 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 11:28 a.m. | Low: 8:19 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 8:54 a.m. | Low: 4:55 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

There’s still time to fit in summer reading

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What’s better than freshly squeezed juice and a freshly opened book? | Photo via @shadow1188

We’re a sports town, an arts town, and we’re definitely a book-lovin’ town. Okay, book-lovin’ Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater metro area.

Whether you’re looking for the latest bestseller or a hidden gem, here’s a roundup of five spots to find your next read or literary community in Tampa Bay:

Oxford Exchange | Tampa

The owners of this downtown Tampa institution built more than a books + brunch spot, it’s a gathering place for the community.

Black English Bookstore | Tampa

Head to Tampa Heights to peruse this bookshop opened by the late Commissioner Gwen Henderson.

Tombolo Books | St. Petersburg

The Burg’s indie bookstore is beloved for its slew of staff picks, author events, and its perch next to Black Crow, of course.

The Story Garden | St. Pete

Remember The Shop Around the Corner from “You’ve Got Mail”? This bookstore looks pretty much like that, but tucked within an old bungalow in historic Kenwood.

Steamy Lit | Tampa

This is the spot for smut. Really, the romance-focused bookstore focuses on women romance authors of color + non-binary/genderqueer authors.

10+ more must-dos

Asked

What’s your favorite genre to read?

A. Fiction
B. Biography
C. Science fiction
D. Thrillers

Check out your fave

Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services

Events

Tuesday, Aug. 5

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Ribbon Cutting Celebration | 8-10:30 a.m. | Raising Cane’s | Free | Jump start your morning with some breakfast tendies + order from 8 to 9 a.m. for a chance at scoring free Cane’s for a year.

Happy Hour Yoga | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Armature Works | Free | Down dog then down drafts or wine flights with your dawgs at this outdoor flow overlooking the Riverwalk — yogis get 10% off at Bar AW.

Sourdough Basics | 6-8 p.m. | 1717 S. 50th St., Tampa | $53.61 | TBAY’s own Nara Smith, Amberle Marie, leads you in mixing, stretching, folding, and baking your own loaf of bubbly sourdough perfection.

Wednesday, Aug. 6

“Midsommar” | 7:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | $10 | Check off one of the New York Times’ top 100 movies of the 21st century with this 2019 film transporting you to a fabled — but troubling — midsummer festival.

Thursday, Aug. 7

Paintings & Pimms | 5-7 p.m. | ARTicles Gallery & Fine Art Services, St. Petersburg | Free | Fancy yourself an English broad by sipping a glass of Pimms or lemonade and learning about a few special pieces and artists displayed in the gallery.

Night Market | 6-9 p.m. | Outside Via Corazon and Raybon Plaza | Free entry | Wander the market spread out across the bustling neighborhood + enjoy a night of art, culture, and community.

Brian Kelley: “Sunshine State of Mind Tour” | 7 p.m. | Jannus Live | $23+| He’s one half of “Florida Georgia Line,” and a country, rock, and coastal star in his own right.

Friday, Aug. 8

“Lavender Haze: The Ultimate Taylor Swift Tribute” | 8:30-9:45 p.m. | The Birchwood Hotel | $30 | Missed “The Eras Tour”? No sweat, scream along to all of Ms. Swift’s hits, dance, and dress in full sequined flair — without the terrible post-parking jam on Dale Mabry.

See our full events calendar

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Concert

Stevie Nicks’ upcoming Tampa show has been pushed back due to an injury. The “Priestess of Rock and Roll” was supposed to perform at Amalie Arena later this month, but a fractured shoulder has delayed proceedings until Sunday, Dec. 7. (WFLA)

Quoted

“After exhaustive research, I’ve concluded there will be a storm somewhere on Planet Earth. That’s all I got.” ABC Action News’ Denis Phillips seems confused by this hurricane season. Make sure you’re ready as we approach what is normally the most active time of year in the Atlantic.

Community

Applications just opened for the My Safe Florida Home program. Lower-income older adults can apply for money to harden their homes against hurricanes and lower insurance. Think: New doors, windows, and roofs. (WTSP)

Coming Soon

Tampa is about to get a slice of Music City. Sunset Rodeo is opening its Nashville-inspired doors this Friday, Aug. 8 in SoHo. Cowboy boots, live music, and wild cocktails await at 302 S. Howard Ave., the former home of Bar HWRD. (That’s So Tampa)

Shop

It’s National Farmers Market Week — an opportunity to support the local farmers, growers, and makers that give life to Florida produce. Fortunately, the Tampa Bay area is blessed with stellar markets to browse.

Opening

Jacksonville-based coffee chain Southern Grounds is making its way to the Gulf Coast. First up, a downtown St. Pete location opens next Monday, Aug. 11 at 695 Central Ave., before Tampa gets in on the action with its own location in Channelside. We don’t have a date for the latter yet. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

State

Send this to the true crime fanatic in your life. Virgin Voyages is launching a cruise later this year where live podcast recordings + creepy themes await out of Miami. The adults-only experience is setting sail for the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. (Tampa Bay Times)

Sports

Todd Bowles says he’s “toying” with the idea of rotating all the corners. Get the debrief on the potential change for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Number

20%. That’s how much you can save on our self-service ad portal thanks to our Countdown to Q4 special. Hurry — it only runs until the end of the month. Use code AUGUST20 at checkout to secure your discount.

Seasonal

Nordstrom’s vacation + resort styles under $100 are giving us serious vacation wardrobe goals. Excuse us while we dream of dinner out in this dress …*

The Buy

A go-to pair of running shorts to get you through hot summer workouts. This pair is under $20, has a built-in liner, and stays secure around hips thanks to a thick elastic waistband.

More worth The Buy

Games

The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.

Let the games begin

Answered

Yesterday, we asked “Which of these museums is the oldest in the Tampa Bay area?”

You know your Tampa lore. A strong 86% of folks correctly guessed the Henry B. Plant Museum.

The red brick riverfront museum and its iconic Moorish minarets got its start as the Tampa Bay Hotel. The winter resort — which operated from 1891 to 1932 — also served as military headquarters during the Spanish-American War.

The Wrap

You might think August is one of TBAY’s slower months, but you’d be wrong.

Our recently updated Plan Ahead is chock-full of the best local events for the month ahead.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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