Tag: florida

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

St. Pete Pier

The St. Pete Pier opened to the public on Monday, July 6, 2020. 

The St. Pete Pier provides fun for those seeking a casual stroll, children needing to release their energy, fisherman wanting to cast their line, or couples seeking a romantic evening. We visited the newly opened pier to see what it had to offer.

One convenient feature is the St. Pete Pier Tram for those wishing to explore the new pier, but would rather not walk the length on foot. The trams offered wheelchair accessible options as well.

The Pier Plaza features both the Spa Beach Bistro and the Stone Fired Pizza restaurants. A bar sits in front offering adult drinks. The Pier offers an educational experience for those who visit the Discovery Center and Wet Classroom, operated by the environmental organization Tampa Bay Watch.

Level 1 of the main structure featured a gear and gift shop, as well as a tackle store. Driftwood Café is located on level 2, and on level 4 is the Pier Teaki.

The Pier Teaki Bar & Restaurant is located at the top level of the structure at the end of the St. Pete Pier. This is where we decided to take a break and have a snack and some drinks. It has tables along the outside of the top balcony that allow for lovely views of the water, boats, surrounding parks, and downtown St. Pete. It also has couch seating areas throughout. There is a full bar and a menu of light –  even somewhat healthy – bar food (including a tuna bowl and a blackened grouper sandwich). The waitresses wear masks and the menus are scannable (you scan the QR code on the waitress’s device and view the menu on your own phone). The service was rather slow, but if you’re just there to relax it’s not a big deal. There were kids present when we were there at around 2pm, but the waitress said that after 8pm, it’s strictly 21 and over.

Adding to the amazing views of the skyline was being able to watch the planes take off and land at the Albert Whitted Airport near the pier.

Google says that the Pier is only open from 9am-5pm, but that’s not the actual hours of the bars and restaurants. Pier Teaki, for example, serves food until midnight and drinks until 2am.

COVID-19 Concerns: There were clean bathrooms everywhere with staff limiting the number of people allowed to enter at once. We also saw multiple hand sanitizer stations with foot pedals, so you don’t even have to touch them. Pier staff all wore facemasks.

Visiting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay During COVID-19

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has managed to provide an excellent experience that puts health and safety at the forefront when it comes to concerns over COVID-19. They’ve even managed to have some fun with the inconvenience of needing to wear face masks right now, by placing one on their lion sculpture at the main entrance. 

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an amusement park located on the north side of the City of Tampa. It is known for its thrill rides and animal advocacy. It’s kind of like a zoo with rollercoasters. After hopping off your favorite ride, you can wander around the park observing and learning about giraffes, cheetahs, lions, tigers, elephants, penguins, and many other species.

My six-year-old was excited that he was finally tall enough to ride Cheetah Hunt for the first-time. He provided entertainment for all of our fellow passengers when the ride launched and he started screaming, “God, help me!!” – but that quickly melted into enthusiastic cries of, “This is the best ride ever!” It was hard to catch my breath on the ride from laughing so hard.

The final verdict: He loved it! If your child is not a roller-coaster enthusiast, though, there are plenty of rides that appeal to all ages.

Let’s address the first question that is probably on the mind of parents considering a visit with their family: Is it safe to visit Busch Gardens right now with COVID-19 being a concern?

COVID-19 Precautions: Busch Gardens is taking COVID-19 seriously! We were really impressed with the precautions that have been put in place. The park is limiting admission to those who have made a reservation for the specific attendance date. Newly purchased Busch Gardens tickets are now date-specific. Passholders and existing ticket holders will only be permitted admission by reservation. Hours vary by day, and the park is no longer open every day of the week. You can check the schedule HERE.

Your temperature will be taken before proceeding to the entrance and face masks are required once inside the park. If you don’t have a face mask, the park has them available for purchase. Designated “Mask Relaxation Zone” areas are marked for visitors to remove their masks to cool down and get some fresh air. Social distancing is also encouraged. Ride lines are clearly marked with six-foot markers. Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations are placed at regular intervals throughout the park, with additional locations placed when entering and leaving a ride. Additional information may be found on their Health and Safety page and their Health and Safety FAQ page.

We found most of the park’s COVID precautions made the visit even more enjoyable than the typical amusement park experience. Waiting in line with six feet between our party and the next was a welcome departure from the normal expectation of fellow visitors being crowded against each other in the heat. Everyone seemed to be respectful of each other and the enhanced rules.

We’ve decided to err on the side of caution regarding public spaces and COVID concerns, but Busch Gardens has done an excellent job of providing as safe an environment as possible. 

One drawback is that their playground areas and carnival games are closed. There are additionally none of the typical amusement park things available like face painting. In addition, indoor shows have been temporarily canceled. If you plan on attending, just be aware that you’re going to be limited to riding rides, looking at animals, eating, or shopping for souvenirs.

If you are able to take a day off and go during the week, we highly recommend it! Our most recent visit was on a Tuesday, and the longest line we waited in was around 45 minutes. Most of the lines were 20 minutes or less. However, with the reservation requirement, weekends aren’t overly crowded either. 

Overall, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers a fun and safe escape for those parents and children who are going stir-crazy from months of sheltering in place and social distancing.

Visit https://buschgardens.com/tampa/ to schedule your visit!

Silent Ybor City

Ybor is usually a bustling part of Tampa, Florida. Nightlife in Ybor is famous worldwide. However, Florida is currently under various phases of lockdown. Outdoor activity is permitted, as long as social distancing guidelines are observed, but a business must be deemed essential in order to operate under the current guidelines.

I decided to get out of the house for a few hours and photograph the eerily Silent Ybor City.