Weekly news roundup
Hey South Tampions! Here's the news of South Tampa this week 🌴
Your weekly dose of what's happening in the South Tampa restaurants, roads, real estate, and everything in between.
Local Deals
Exclusive Local Specials: Dine & Save in South Tampa!
Discover the best deals this week across South Tampa's vibrant dining scene and essential home services.
Dining Deals
- Green Lemon (SoHo) – Daily “Fiesta Hour,” 3-7 p.m., with $5 sangria, three tacos for $10, and $13 Maragrona cocktails.
- Bella’s Italian Café – Weekday happy hour, 11:30 a.m.–6 p.m., featuring wine, cocktails, and select food specials.
- Timpano – "Social Hour" weekdays 11 a.m.–7 p.m. & weekends 4–7 p.m. Enjoy wine, cocktails, beer, and light bites like $2 oysters and Mediterranean tuna tartare.
- The Dan – Happy hour Sunday–Thursday, 4–6 p.m., with specials on food, beer, wine, and cocktails.
- Haven – Daily happy hour, 5–7 p.m., offering charcuterie, wine, steaks, plus $12 burgers and $10 cheese plates. Bar/patio only Friday/Saturday.
- Ava – Italian-inspired happy hour weekdays, 5–7 p.m., featuring $9 handcrafted cocktails, $6 wines by the glass, and discounted pizzas and appetizers.
- Bulla Gastrobar – Daily 3–7 p.m. happy hour with $3 off bottled beer/drafts, $9 specialty cocktails, $8 house liquors, $9 martinis, and $7 sangrias.
- Blind Goat – Monday–Friday 3–7 p.m. happy hour: $4 premium wells, $5 wines, and a $5 rotating cocktail/food special; plus $6 giant Bavarian pretzels on Thursdays.
- Barcelona Wine Bar – Happy hour menu offers $7 cocktails (like mini espresso martinis) and small bites like NY beef tartare and Marcona almonds.
- Buchette Spritz Bar (Davis Islands) – Italian wine-window happy hour with $5 spritzes every day, 4:30–6 p.m.
Home & Service Specials
- Gotcha Covered of Central Tampa – 20% off custom window treatments, blinds, shades, and drapes through June 30, 2025.
- TownePlace Suites Tampa East – Military/government leisure discount offering 10% off all suites.
- Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating – South Tampa Chamber members, active military, veterans, and first responders receive 15% off service repairs and $200 off new system installations.
- Jazzercise South Tampa – Try two weeks of classes for $59, combining cardio, strength, and stretch workouts.
- Brick Media – South Tampa Chamber members get a 10% monthly discount on social-media marketing services.
- South Tampa Gutter & Window Cleaning – Membership program offers up to 25% off gutter, window, and house-washing services.
- Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning – 10% off when you book carpet cleaning online (serving South Tampa).
Please note: Promotions may change. It's always best to verify details directly with each business before visiting.
🍽️ New Openings & Development
The Landon rises from the ashes 🔥
The former Ava space at 717 S. Howard Ave. reopened March 23 as The Landon. Owner Michael Stewart named the restaurant for his son and brought in Hell's Kitchen alum Chef Robert Hesse to run a menu of globally inspired American dishes. The rebuilt space features a central bar that opens onto Howard Avenue, private dining rooms and a re‑imagined interior. The Landon operates Mon–Thu 3–10 p.m., Fri–Sat 3–11 p.m. and Sun 5–9 p.m.
Giancarlo's Café & Spirits opens in Hyde Park 🥪
The owners of Santoro's Pizzeria launched Giancarlo's in December 2025 at 1532 W North B St. The fast‑casual restaurant serves breakfast through dinner with Jersey‑style deli sandwiches, tavern‑style pizzas, Italian‑American entrées, house‑made meatballs and imported rolls. There's a coffee bar with Tampa‑roasted Wuz Here coffee, craft cocktails and an adjacent full‑service dining room. Hours are Sun–Thu 7 a.m.–11 p.m. and Fri–Sat 7 a.m.–midnight.
The Mabry — Westshore's skyline grows 🏗️
RMC Property Group plans The Mabry, a $68 million, 320‑unit apartment development that will replace the Office Depot along North Dale Mabry Highway. The seven‑story project includes a co‑working lobby, two courtyards with a pool deck, an eight‑story parking garage with 448 spaces (ten spaces reserved for an on‑site salon) and no announced start date.
🚧 Infrastructure & City Updates
Selmon Expressway Expansion 🛣️
THEA's $362 million project will widen the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway from two lanes to three in each direction between downtown and Gandy. The improvements include noise‑barrier walls, wider sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, storm‑water upgrades and 14 new green spaces with dog parks and pickleball courts. An AI‑driven "Downtown Brain" system will monitor congestion and adjust signals. Construction begins in spring 2026 and is funded by toll revenues.
South Howard Flood Relief Approved 💧
The Tampa City Council narrowly voted to move forward with the SoHo flood‑relief project despite a $39.8 million funding gap. Costs ballooned from an estimated $64.5 million to $98 million. Funding will come from storm‑water funds, state grants, THEA contributions and water‑department funds. Three council members voted no, but chairman Alan Clendenin's deciding vote advanced the project; another vote is expected in October 2026 if outside funding is secured.
Redistricting Update 🗺️
On March 9 the Hillsborough County Planning Commission approved Redistricting Alternative 2, moving Precinct 345 from council District 7 to District 5. This shift reduces the population deviation among Tampa's seven districts from 8.36% to 3.97%, bringing the city within the recommended 5% threshold.
🏙️ Big Developments on the Horizon
Ritz‑Carlton Residences Approach Completion ✨
Recent aerial photography shows both towers of The Ritz‑Carlton Residences, Tampa at 3101 Bayshore Boulevard (Tower I) and 3015 S. Ysabella Avenue (Tower II) appear externally complete. Tower I rises 27 stories with 89 condominiums and 12 villas and is already sold out; Tower II stands 30 stories and will deliver 94 condos and six villas in 2026. The site now resembles a finished waterfront resort with pools, cabanas, tennis and pickleball courts and landscaped walkways.
Water Street Entertainment District in the Works 🎭
Strategic Property Partners announced plans for a new entertainment district along Channelside Drive across from Benchmark International Arena. The concept includes a 3,500‑seat venue, a 250‑room hotel and 100,000 sq ft of retail and dining space. The aim is to create a connected entertainment corridor linking Water Street with the Riverwalk and convention center. Groundbreaking is planned for 2027.
Upcoming events
📅 The Week Ahead (Mar 25 – 31)
👨👩👧 Family‑Friendly
1
Color Me Mine 5 After 5
Wed 25 Mar | 5 – 8 p.m. (Hyde Park Village) – Kids and adults can paint pottery together for just $5 studio fees every Wednesday evening at Color Me Mine.
2
Posies Flower Truck
Fri 27 Mar | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Hyde Park Village) – Pick your own seasonal blooms from Posies' vintage flower truck. The flower bar pops up in Village Circle on Fridays and Saturdays.
🎭 On Stage
1
"The Shark Is Broken"
Ongoing through Apr 5 (Straż Center) – Jobsite Theater's Olivier‑nominated comedy takes you behind the scenes of the film Jaws. The 95‑minute play runs March 11–April 5 in the Shimberg Playhouse at the Straż Center; the best ticket availability is 7:30 p.m. on March 26 and an ASL‑interpreted performance is offered March 28.
🎉 Social & Nightlife
1
Color Me Mine Date Night
Fri 27 Mar | 5 – 8 p.m. (Hyde Park Village) – Bring a date or best friend; studio fees are buy‑one‑get‑one after 5 p.m. on Fridays.
2
Bike Westshore Ride 🚴
Sat 28 Mar | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Avion Park) – The Westshore Alliance and Pedal Power Promoters lead a guided ride through Westshore showcasing safe bike routes and public art. Cyclists meet at McKibbon Hospitality in Avion Park; LIME e‑bikes are available to reserve.
3
Joy & Ink's "Heroes on the Run" 🏃
Sun 29 Mar | 7 – 11:15 a.m. (6901 S MacDill Ave) – Join a fun 5 km/10 km run benefiting Joy & Ink. The race starts at 7 a.m. The course winds through the South of Gandy area and is open to all ages (discounted rates for children).
🏠 Real Estate Spotlight
Micro‑Market Trend: High‑end vs. Balanced Markets
$912K
33606 Median Listing
Hyde Park/Davis Islands — 166 active listings, $565/sq ft. Inventory up 3.9% MoM; listing price up 1.39% YoY; rental inventories up 26%.
$585K
33611 Median Listing
Ballast Point/Bayshore — ~330 active listings, $363/sq ft, 57 median days on market. Rents avg $2,675/mo. Homes sell ~3.38% below asking.
$1.35M
33629 Median Home Price
Palma Ceia/Virginia Park — 292 active listings, $501/sq ft, ~107 days on market. Rents avg $3,950/mo (up 33%). Sale prices ~3.41% below list.
$607K
33609 Home Value Index
Beach Park/Gray Gables — 151 active listings, median list $553K, median sale $555,050 (Feb 2026). 1‑year forecast: modest 0.4% growth.
🏆 Notable Listing/Development: The most visible new development is The Ritz‑Carlton Residences on Bayshore Boulevard. Tower I (27 stories) is sold out, while Tower II (30 stories, 94 units) is nearing completion; recent photos show completed exteriors, resort‑style pools, cabanas and sports courts. Buyers seeking luxury waterfront living should expect final deliveries later this year. Meanwhile, RMC's Mabry project and SPP's planned entertainment district signal continued investment in Westshore and Water Street.
💎 Hidden Gem & Quick Hits
Hidden Gem 🌊
Ballast Point Park
Tucked along the bay at 5300 Interbay Blvd (33611), Ballast Point Park is a favorite escape for locals. The park features a boat ramp, fishing pier with panoramic downtown views, colorful playgrounds and a splash pad for kids. With picnic shelters, swing benches and the on‑site Taste of Boston restaurant, it's the perfect spot for sunrise runs or sunset strolls.
Ballast point park - VIA Facebook
⚡ Quick Hits Before We Go
The South Howard flood‑relief project advances despite a nearly $40 million funding gap.
The Landon opens with celebrity chef Robert Hesse on SoHo's restaurant row.
Selmon Expressway widening begins this spring, adding lanes and 14 green spaces.
Precinct 345 moves from District 7 to District 5 in Tampa's redistricting plan.
Westshore's Bike Westshore ride rolls out Saturday, March 28.
☀️ Weather Outlook (Fri – Sun)
Expect warm spring days with highs in the upper 80s, a strong UV index each afternoon and a chance of showers Saturday and Sunday. Pack sunscreen and a light rain jacket for outdoor events!
That's it for this week. 👋
For questions or story tips, reply to this email. See you around South Tampa!