Historic Sunken Gardens kept busy during lockdown
The Sunken Gardens is such a lush and beautiful piece of property. It first started as a nursery in 1903. George Turner, Sr. bought six acres of land, which included a shallow lake ten feet below sea level. He drained that lake, and the 'sunken' gardens began. This place has withstood tough times in our country before, and they are hanging in there now.
Breweries are starting to reopen -- including Coppertail
Coppertail Brewing Co. is a popular destination for beer enthusiasts and is also known for the good food they serve. They have finally reopened their doors.
The doctor is in: Dr. BBQ in downtown St. Petersburg reopens its doors
If you're craving BBQ, it may be time to pay a visit to the doctor
Dr. BBQ customers can dine-in again
After weeks of only offering takeout and delivery, Dr. BBQ is back open for customers to dine-in.
Pirate Water Taxi returns to Hillsborough River
Pirate Water Taxi is back open, and have added to their fleet. It’s a great and easy way to get out on the water, and enjoy much of what downtown Tampa has to offer.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium back open for Memorial Day weekend
Winter, Hope, Nicholas, and so many more at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium are eager to welcome back guests. The staff has been busy here, even during the safer-at-home orders, taking care of all the animals.
Anonymous donor will match every $13 Metro Ministries donation
With COVID-19 leading to so many lost jobs, Metropolitan Ministries has been working overtime to help those who suddenly find themselves in need. FOX 13 has been helping with a campaign called $13 for 13. A $13 donation will be matched by an anonymous donor and that $26 will be used to feed 13 people. That campaign ends May 21.
Get in-person music lessons at Replay Guitar
Replay Guitar Exchange is back open, and back to offering in-person music lessons. They have a great collection of new and used guitars, along with amps and all the other accessories you might need to rock out at home. The owner here also does work with his family’s charitable foundation that donated $350,000 to Tampa General Hospital to help them fight COVID-19.
The Florida Aquarium is open -- face masks required
There are some new rules in place as The Florida Aquarium reopens to guests. They’ve been busy behind the scenes during the pandemic, keeping all of the animals happy and healthy. Now they are pleased to be able to once again open their doors to visitors.
'We missed you': Historic Columbia Restaurant reopening locations across Tampa Bay
You can now dine-in and have your 1905 Salad too.
Columbia Restaurant ready to open
Columbia Restaurant Group is starting to open its doors. First up, the Columbia Restaurant along St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota.
Urban Brew and BBQ makes some changes to its business model
At 2601 Central Avenue, Urban Brew & BBQ was definitely a hot spot, back when crowds could gather. Here's how they have made it through the safer-at-home orders.
Gigglewaters in Safety Harbor operating under new rules
Gigglewaters is located right on Main Street in Safety Harbor. This is a great gathering place, known for their deliciously decadent food, and their handcrafted cocktails. During the shutdown, Gigglewaters’ owners decided to do what they could to help others. They’ve delivered meals to hospitals, provided free meals to those unemployed, and now they are grateful to be able to reopen their expanded patio area.
Forbici moving forward under new rules
Forbici Modern Italian is back with its 'scissor pizza' and is located in the areas of town where they have closed a street to allow for more outdoor seating.
South Tampa restaurants, like Ava, begin reopening
Michael Stewart is one of the owners at Ava on South Howard, and is involved with several eateries around the Tampa Bay area. He discusses how restaurants are getting through the pandemic and how it's working now that they've reopened limited indoor dining.
Become a 'dragon' with aerial workouts at home
Whether you want to run away and join the circus, or just build great core strength from a different way of working out, you might want to become a Dragon. Aerial Dragon Studios is a high-flying circus arts school in Ybor City. They are now offering online classes -- even for beginners.
Online STEM classes available for elementary, middle school students
Jacobs is an American international professional services firm, specializing in engineering, construction and infrastructure. The city of Tampa is one of their many clients. They usually do a lot of work with school children, offering field trips and other educational opportunities. The pandemic has put a stop to that, so they’ve decided to offer a weekly, live, online STEM class.
Free online classes offered through Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University in Pasco County is offering free classes, ranging from backyard birding and budget baking to quarantine spirituality and stress management.
Florida School of Woodwork moved their classes online
Businesses have certainly had to get creative, and some things they've changed may be here to last. That includes the Florida School of Woodwork in Tampa. They offer classes online and it has been so successful that they will continue to offer online classes even when they are able to reopen.
Cass Street offering free meals to unemployed restaurant workers
Restaurants have been devastated by COVID-19 and many of its workers have been furloughed or laid off, but some within the same industry have stepped up. In Tampa, Cass Street Deli is offering free meals every evening to restaurant workers.