Take in the old school fish shack vibes at Cheeky’s. | Photo by Sarah Maingot
To me, matchbooks are the perfect item to collect. First off, they’re small — unlike my hoard of hoodies — and easy to haul home. You can find cool vintage ones at estate sales and markets and businesses while traveling or at home. And best of all, they tell a story.
Some are marked with the names of beachfront motels and downtown hotels that have been closed for decades. Others bear the name of some of our favorite new Hyde Park haunts.
Editor Bailey’s prized collection.
Photo by TBAYtoday
We asked our readers to share some Tampa Bay restaurants, stores, and hangs that dole out or sell matchbooks — and found a few more in our own research. Take a peek:
Did we miss any spots? Send them, photos of your collection, or any matchbook-collecting stories our way.
Events
Events
Wednesday, Sept. 3
Carrollwood: Vibrant Hues of Fall | Wednesday, Sept. 3-Monday, Nov. 3 | Times vary | Carrollwood Cultural Center | Free | If we waited for it to feel like fall, we’d kick off autumn in December. So make believe its cooler by checking out The Exhibiting Society of Artists’s exhibit focusing on fall-inspired hues and views.
Armature Works Run Club with Fit2Run | 6:30 p.m. | Armature Works | Free | Make the short week feel a little longer (just a joke) with an upbeat jog along the Riverwalk, followed by a brew or two at Bar AW — runners get 10% off their first drink.
Thursday, Sept. 4
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians | Thursday, Sept. 4, Sunday, Sept. 7 | Times vary | George M. Steinbrenner Field | $10+ | There’s less than a month left until the post season. Don’t miss the Rays two-game stint against the boys from Cleveland.
KC and the Sunshine Band | 8 p.m. | Seminole Hard Rock | $176+ | Boogie on down for the Florida-born band’s “Doin It World Tour.”
Friday, Sept. 5
Charley Harper Cardinal Glass Class | Friday, Sept. 5, Friday, Sept. 12 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement | $110+ | Don’t wait for cardinals to visit your bird feeder. Cut and solder your own red bird bedecked stained-glass panel.
Sur La Table Coffee Like A Pro Class | Friday, Sept. 5-Sunday, Oct. 5 | Times vary | Hyde Park Village | $49 | You don’t need a Breville Bambino to make Kahwa or Buddy Brew-level java. Learn how to brew cafe-level coffee using a French press and pour over in this guided class.
First Friday in the Heights DIY Night | 7-10 p.m. | The Disco Dolls Studio | Price of craft | Get crafty by sewing a lavender-filled eye pillow, knitting your own pumpkin, creating a collage, or join in a guided meditation.
Thomas Rhett: “Better In Boots Tour 2025" | 7:30 p.m. | MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre | $30+ | The croonin’ country star arrives to rock the outdoor venue’s stage with hits like “After All The Bars Are Closed” and “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman.”
Elevate your event with Graingertainment’s DJ + entertainment services. | Photo provided by Lakelandermedia, Graphic by 6AM City
Calling all 2026 brides (or Sweet 16s, or Bar Mitzvahs, or any big day celebrants) — ready to throw the party of a lifetime? Enter to win our Party on Us Giveaway.
We’ve partnered with Florida-based DJ + entertainment group Graingertainment to give away a night of music that will have your dance floor packed all night.
The $1,000 prize includes four hours of music spun by DJs, online planning + consultations, and all necessary equipment (dance lighting, PA system, wireless microphone). The prize is valid for any wedding or event through 2026 within the state of Florida that allows loud music.
The winner can also choose to combine any of Graingertainment’s other services up to the $1,000 mark, like:
Live musicians
Market lighting
Cold sparklers
Photo booths
A CO2 cannon
Phone booth + audio guest book
Head to our Instagram and follow the instructions to enter by Tuesday, September 16 at noon.
Psst...if you don’t win, Graingertainment DJs all over Florida + beyond. Check out their website to discover their services and book to bring the party to your next event.
1,056. That’s how many apartments will be built on the old Raytheon Technologies site. The Southwest Florida Water Management District just approved Porter Development’s plans, which includes 12 buildings spread out across the 29-acre plot. We’ll keep you posted on the timeline. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Weather
A USF researcher thinks we should reassess our hurricane rating system. The National Hurricane Center uses Saffir-Simpson Scale, rating hurricanes between a 1-5 based on wind speed. But Jennifer Collins, a hurricane researcher + professor, thinks storm surge and rainfall should be factored in. (Tampa Bay Times)
Health
Apparently, mosquitoes are more than just an ever-present threat to our happiness. The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County says several local chickens tested positive for West Nile virus. Stay protected with these tips. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Quoted
“Come relive the fun and help us celebrate a true Busch Gardens legend.” That’s what officials urged TBAY residents in a post announcing the closure of Stanley Falls Flume. The waterfall drop ride — one of the park’s original attractions — closes this Sunday, Sept. 7 to make room for something new. (WTSP)
Real Estate
In the market for a new house of worship? Literally, Lyceum at Mirror Lake is on the market. Built in 1926 as the First Christian Church of St. Petersburg, the property boasts a 600-seat amphitheater, multi-purpose rooms, two kitchen spaces, 51 parking spaces in a nearby garage. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Show
“You’re My Best Friend.” It’s more than just the refrain of your middle school bestie. It’s the name of Adam Sandler’s new show which arrives at Benchmark International Arena this Saturday, Sept. 6. Yes, there are still tickets available. (That’s So Tampa)
Biz
This local hospitality leader helmed the Vinoy Resort & Golf Club through its $100 renovation. Who is Vanessa Williams? Williams retired from her role as the iconic pink hotel’s general manager last month. But what exactly did the multi-year renovation entail?(Tampa Bay Times)
Sports
The Rays need one more victory over the Mariners to pick up the series win tonight. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Biz
“Straightforward, transparent, and low stress.” That’s how one business described our self-service ad portal. No sales pressure. No hidden fees. Just you, your message, and the tools to get it out there — your way. Get started.
The Buy
Your go-to item for upping fall runs and workouts: a top-selling weighted strength training vest. Choose from six pounds up to 30 pounds and add the weighted vest to runs, classes, or gym sessions to enhance calorie burning, improve your core, and increase muscle gains.
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.
Last week, we asked “Which movie was not filmed in Tampa Bay?”
We prefer the real deal Ybor City.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Only 16% of readers correctly guessed the 2016 film “Live By Night.”
For some reason, Ben Affleck chose to film the Prohibition Era film in Georgia, even though it’s set in Ybor City. Huh.
The drama, which also stars Affleck, follows a group of Bostonian gangsters who “set up shop in balmy Florida” and face off against the Ku Klux Klan, according to IMDB.
Yesterday, I asked what you — my very favorite TBAY residents — would spend the Cigar City’s budget on. You know, in the universe where you’re the mayor.
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