In the heart of downtown Tampa, where the city’s pulse beats strongest, Carolyn Wilson surveyed the neoclassical façade of what was once the Exchange National Bank. The year was 1919, when this architectural gem first opened its doors to the financial elite of a growing Florida city. More than a century later, Wilson stood before the same building with a bold plan—one that would transform banking halls into dining rooms and vaults into intimate, speakeasy corners. That ambition ultimately led to the debut of CW’s Gin Joint, in 2017, a vibrant culinary and drinking destination where history, hospitality and craft cocktails converge.
For Wilson, the path forward wasn’t about looking back but about restoration, renewal and writing a new chapter. As president of The Wilson Company, a property management and development firm with more than three decades of history in the Tampa Bay region, she had witnessed firsthand how historic buildings could be reimagined as vibrant cornerstones of community life.
The Franklin Exchange Building, where The Wilson Company now makes its home, once faced demolition. But through careful renovation, it was brought back to life while honoring its architectural roots. For Wilson, the building represented more than a successful project; it represented a philosophy of preservation with purpose.
Her vision extended beyond commercial development. She was drawn to the stories Tampa’s historic buildings could tell and even more so, to the new stories they could host. The Wilson Company’s portfolio, which includes notable projects such as the New York Yankees’ Legends Field, established the firm’s reputation for thoughtful, impactful development. But this project felt different: more intimate, more personal. It was an opportunity to show how historic preservation could foster Tampa’s cultural and culinary future.
The Exchange National Bank building called to her. She envisioned something unprecedented for the local dining scene—a venue that would honor the building’s 1919 origins, while creating a modern escape. The transformation began in 2012, when The Vault opened as an elegant event space hosting weddings, corporate events and Tampa’s premier Halloween experience, “The Vault of Souls,” where brave guests gather each October to revel in the ghostly essence of the century-old building.
But Wilson’s vision extended beyond special occasions. CW’s Gin Joint became her canvas—a project that turned not just spaces but experiences into works of art. The Wilson Company’s legacy of urban renewal took its most personal and intimate form at CW’s, transforming how Tampa residents engage with their city’s historic core.
The culinary world often creates unexpected connections and the recent appointment of Gerry Sizemore as executive chef at CW’s Gin Joint is a full-circle moment defined by mentorship and growth.
The story begins with Gui Alinat, the restaurant’s original executive chef. Alinat, a Tampa-based ACF Certified Executive Chef, food writer and owner of Artisan Boutique Catering, built a distinguished career marked by excellence and education. His 2010 book, The Chef’s Répertoire, received the prestigious Cordon d’Or International Culinary Award for Best Culinary Literature.
Years before their professional paths would cross again at CW’s, Alinat had served as Sizemore’s instructor at Tarpon Springs High School’s culinary program. That early mentorship laid the foundation for Sizemore’s career. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University, Sizemore honed his craft in some of the South’s most respected kitchens including several years with the Augusta Masters and key roles within the Bern’s Steak House family, including Haven and the Epicurean Hotel.
It was Alinat who ultimately recommended Sizemore for the role at CW’s, completing a mentorship arc that had spanned decades. His appointment marked more than a new chapter for the restaurant; it underscored the interconnectedness of Tampa’s culinary community and the power of mentorship in shaping careers.
Walking into CW’s Gin Joint is like stepping back in time. With live music setting the mood and craft cocktails taking center stage, the vibe is both elevated and intimate, a modern homage to the speakeasy era.
At the heart of the experience is gin—not just a spirit, but a signature. The restaurant’s team developed a “gin matrix,” a curated tasting experience designed to guide guests through a personalized journey of flavor. From floral and herbal to citrus and spice, the matrix helps drinkers discover the subtle botanicals that make each gin unique. Whether you’re new to the spirit or a seasoned connoisseur, the matrix offers a playful, educational way to build a custom gin flight.
The food menu complements the sophisticated drink offerings, blending comfort with refinement and nodding to Southern and French influences.
One standout dish is the Scamp grouper, paired with kale, corn, heirloom tomatoes and oyster mushrooms, all elevated by a rich coconut corn curry sauce. It’s a dish that bridges the Gulf Coast’s local seafood with global flavors, balancing creativity with regional roots.
Another guest favorite is the Duroc pork chop, a personal recipe inspired by Chef Sizemore’s Southern upbringing. The pork is brined overnight in brewed sweet tea, with salt and sugar, tenderizing the meat and infusing it with balanced sweetness. It’s then skillet-seared with a cumin rub and served with green asparagus—comfort food with a refined edge, and a story on every plate.
With CW’s Gin Joint, Carolyn Wilson wasn’t just preserving buildings; she was reshaping the social fabric of downtown Tampa. What began as a passion for revitalization evolved into a broader mission: to bring people together in the city’s historic spaces and create vibrant, lasting experiences.
Each Wilson Company project reflects that vision. But CW’s Gin Joint stands apart as a deeply personal project, as a tribute to Tampa’s past and as a celebration of its evolving future. Within the walls of a century-old bank vault, Wilson’s dream of urban renewal finds its most human expression: a place where history is honored, culture is cultivated and new traditions are born.
