Category: Locally Owned

Salon 705

I know it’s still quarantine out there, so a trip to the salon is kind of like … what’s the point? The only people who can see me are my family and maybe the odd work colleague via Zoom or WebEx. Well, there are few things that can make you feel better than a color refresh and a trim, so I made an appoint at Salon 705 in Brandon yesterday (Facebook: @salon705, Instagram: @salon705brandon).

I’ve been going to Salon 705 for the last year, ever since I moved to Tampa (my stylist is Seta and she’s fantastic – you can see her work and follow her on Instagram: @hair_by_seta). Yesterday, I got a half a head of highlights, a deep conditioning treatment, and a trim, and my hair looks and feels amazing.

They are taking plenty of COVID-19-related precautions – you can’t just walk in and sit in the waiting area; someone will come and let you in the door to ensure there’s enough space for social distancing for everyone inside. Once you’re in, you’ll be asked to wash your hands. All of the stylists are wearing masks, and you must do so as well throughout your service. I was leery of this at first – I assumed when it got to the blowout phase it might be difficult to breathe, but I was totally fine. There is also hand sanitizer throughout, and of course, all of the tools are already clean thanks to OSHA cosmetology rules.

The salon does take walk-ins, but it’s better to call and make an appointment, since they may not be able to get you in right away depending on how busy they are if you just walk in off the street. 

Salons in general are struggling for business right now – it’s a luxury, and people still don’t feel safe enough to spend that much time in such close proximity to someone. But with the proper precautions, you can enjoy this service and help out a local business in the process.

Salon 705: 125 W. Bloomingdale Ave. Brandon, FL 33511 813.993.9705

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Cool Down at The Blind Tiger

The summer heat of Florida can be brutal. We were out photographing some of our favorite locations in Ybor City for an upcoming series we’re writing on the history behind some of the landmarks in Tampa. Since we like to avoid the national chains and shop local, we decided to stop into The Blind Tiger Cafe in Ybor City to escape the nearly 100-degree heat and enjoy a cold coffee. 

The Blind Tiger is a laid-back coffee house environment that is normally full of folks meeting, studying, working, reading, or those just wanting to take a break from the bustle of their day. The theme of the coffee house is inspired by the speakeasy establishments from the United States’ prohibition days. Blind Tiger is another name given to a “speakeasy,” whose name refers to the demand that patrons participating in the illegal activity of drinking alcohol were not to make too much noise and alert others to the illegal existence of the location. The coffee shop was started in Ybor City (Tampa) by local entrepreneur, Roberto Torres, and has grown to six locations around the Tampa Bay area. The Blind Tiger serves food as well as coffee. A menu for each of its locations can be accessed HERE.

Every time I have visited the Blind Tiger, I’ve found the employees to be very friendly. After speaking with the crew for a while, we continued our walk around Ybor City enjoying a Vanilla Latte and a Nitro Cold Brew. It was a nice cooldown from the humid sauna-like weather of Florida in July. They are taking precautionary measures, due to COVID-19, in order to ensure the safety of their guests. A mask must be worn to enter the establishment and social-distancing guidelines must be observed.

Next time you’re in the Tampa Bay area and looking for a place to meet, relax, or just grab a cup of coffee and go, we recommend you drive right past the green circle labeled chain store and support a local business: The Blind Tiger Café.

If you enjoy reading about local businesses and attractions in the Tampa Bay area, please consider following this blog and sharing it on social media for continued updates! Thanks!

Ice Cream at Snobachi

We recently visited Snobachi Handcrafted Ice Cream in Ybor City (Tampa, FL). Located one block East of the historic Columbia Restaurant, Snobachi is a locally owned business that offers a family-friendly, laid back environment with all the offerings you’d expect from an ice cream shop and more.

We enjoyed the Cookies & Cream Milkshake and an order of the liquid nitrogen infused Dragon Ballz. The milkshake was one of the best we’ve tasted, and the smoke pouring out of our mouths as we ate the Dragon Ballz added fun to their flavor.

The shop is taking some social distancing precautions, due to COVID-19, but it did not negatively impact our experience.

We’d recommend anyone stop into Snobachi when seeking a cold break from the Florida heat. Whether you enjoy classics, such as hand-scooped ice cream and a Root Beer float, or would like to have a slice of cheesecake and try some Dragon Ballz; this place will not disappoint. Children and adults alike are sure to get a blast out of experiencing the liquid-nitrogen infused offerings.

Support a locally-owned business next time you are in the Ybor area of Tampa and stop by Snobachi Handcrafted Ice Cream!

Snobachi is open Monday-Thursday 2p-9p, Fri/Sat 12p-10p, and Sunday 12p-9p.

Snobachi is located at 2206 E 7th ave. Tampa, Florida 33605