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Meet Ybor City’s new history-infused inn

The concrete structure is the oldest in the city of Tampa. | Photo by TBAYtoday

La Tropicana Cuban Cafe’s lunchtime regulars no longer peer out its arched windows surveying Seventh Avenue. The white stuccoed Ybor City hangout stopped serving Cuban sandwiches, deviled crab, and cafe con leche during the early days of COVID-19. The carved wooden table in the corner no longer reserved for Roland Manteiga, the late longtime editor of La Gaceta.

The red phone no longer clatters atop his round table, its ring alerting the neighborhood newsman of fresh news or gossip, oftentimes both. But a new ruby-toned corded beaut will soon make outgoing calls from the same famed table at a reborn Ybor City institution when it reopens come November.

The restored Ybor building will soon pay bed taxes once again.

Drew Newman, the fourth-generation owner of J.C. Newman Cigar Co. — Tampa’s final operational traditional cigar factory — intends to give the power table a new home at another fabled Ybor City spot. The company is restoring the 116-year-old Sanchez y Haya building across the street from its factory, building it out ”just like it was” a hundred years ago with a new restaurant, cigar lounge, and inn.

See the plans

Asked

How old did Ybor City just turn?

A. 100
B. 120
C. 140
D. 160

Hint: The birthday party was this week.

Events

Thursday, April 16

Friday, April 17

Saturday, April 18

Sunday, April 19

There's more where those came from

Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

News Notes

Development

Volta Wine + Market is opening a new 2,000-sqft location in 400 Central. Expect a fine wine shop with 300 types of bottles and a gourmet market in the front, with an intimate bar where you can vibe to vinyl in the rear, and (praise) no QR code menus.

Sports

The Lightning are back in the playoffs for the ninth year in a row, baby. Celebrate with a scoop of Chill Bros.’ rice crispie and marshmallow-stuffed Thunder Crunch before the Bolts take on the Canadiens in Game 1. Get tickets while you can, and maybe you’ll spot my dad + uncle rooting on Montreal.

Show

Good thing we’re getting a new concert venue, because TBAY’s concert lineup is only growing. Case in point: Chris Brown and Usher are playing Ray Jay on their The R&B Tour to Tampa. Sign up for presale for the Friday, Dec. 11 show. (That’s So Tampa)

Travel

While airports across the US saw a drop in spring break travel, TPA fared very well. In fact, the airport saw a 2% bump in passengers — about 124,000 more folks than anticipated. Why? It’s partially because Tampa Bay is becoming more of a tourism destination. (That’s So Tampa)

Announced

DalMoros is moving into Moon Mountain’s perch right by Jannus Live. The fast-causal eatery will open in May, offering pasta, panini, and tiramisu to both late-night concertgoers and clubbers alike. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Eat

One of TBAY’s fave date night spots, Urban Stillhouse, is getting a pretty big refresh. The Warehouse Arts District spot’s owner bought the location and plans to introduce a new menu, new furniture + upgrades, and turn the office next door into an event space and a casual bar. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Outdoors

The Lyrid meteor shower has begun and will last until Thursday, April 30, with the peak night being Tuesday, April 21, into the morning of Wednesday, April 22. Head to one of Florida’s Dark Sky Parks — Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is about 2.5 hours from downtown Tampa. (USA Today)

The Buy

Pop quiz. What can you wear while 1) driving 2) drinking your morning coffee, or 3) reading this newsletter to look more awake and help under eyes glow? Under eye patches. Be an under eye patch influencer and work these into your morning routine:

👁️ These award-winning under eye patches employ collagen, snail mucin, and hyaluronic acid to get the job done — you should notice an immediate difference in puffiness.
👁️ Go for green tea under eye patches to get the energizing benefits of caffeine directly on your skin — you’ll get 30 in a pack.
👁️ One of the most popular brands is grace & stella. Try a variety pack to learn which key ingredient — whether retinol, caffeine, or firming peptides — makes the biggest difference to your skin.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Anyone else really feeling the urge to thrift lately? On that note, I’m looking for new hole-in-the-wall spots. So please help a girl out and send me your faves.

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