Barbara Lynch 
What happens when you blend the expertise of Jeff Gigante – a 20-plus year veteran of the dining and hospitality industry, Andrew Wright – chief executive officer of Franklin Street, a commercial real estate firm located in Tampa, and Joseph Guggino – a local lawyer and investor with an affinity to the restaurant industry? A … Read more
Heidi Butler’s childhood dream of becoming the cruise director for the Love Boat played out in real life when she and her husband, Michael Butler opened The Helm: Provisions & Coastal Fare on February 22, 2022. The original meaning of helm is associated with the equipment used for steering a ship or boat. Now taking … Read more
Let’s talk about the ghost town that turned into a cosmopolitan, mini-Manhattan, mecca now known as Water Street Tampa. Jeff Vinik, owner of Tampa Bay Lighting, and Cascade Investments, headed by Bill Gates, are the driving forces behind Strategic Property Partners and the vision for this metropolis. Early in the planning phase, Next Level Brands … Read more
From his initial start in the Icot Center, in Clearwater, to expanding his brand in Hyde Park and South Tampa to his newest venture in Midtown Tampa, Chris Ponte’s journey has developed within the Tampa market as he continually builds roots with flagship dining concepts including Olivia’s, On Swann and now Bare Naked Kitchen. But … Read more
Many locals (and tourists alike) know Mazzaro’s Italian Market as the premier place to purchase anything Italian in St. Petersburg. Since Mazzaro’s is a legend, parking is a challenge any time of the year; however, during the holidays, and most Saturdays, there are parking attendants to help with the chaos. It can be a nightmare. … Read more
The restaurant industry is challenging and establishments change hands, bringing variety to the ever-growing food scene, in the Tampa Bay area. A welcome addition to St. Petersburg is Allelo, a Mediterranean-influenced restaurant on Beach Drive. Shawn and Jeanna Damkoehler combined forces with Volet Hospitality and the innovativeness of Chef Alex Pyser to bring a remarkable … Read more
