LOCATION:

Tampa, Florida

Tampa is a major city in, and the county seat of, Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. It is on the west coast of Florida on Tampa Bay, near the Gulf of Mexico, and is the largest city in the Tampa Bay Area. The bay’s port is the largest in the state, near downtown’s Channel District. Bayshore Boulevard runs along the bay, and is east of the historic Hyde Park neighborhood.

The city is divided into many neighborhoods, many of which were towns and unincorporated communities annexed by the growing city. Generally, the city is divided into the following areas: Downtown Tampa, New Tampa, West Tampa, East Tampa, North Tampa, and South Tampa. Well-known neighborhoods include Ybor City, Forest Hills, Ballast Point, Sulphur Springs, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Palma Ceia, Hyde Park, Davis Islands, Tampa Palms, College Hill, and non-residential areas of Gary and the Westshore Business District.

Events Calendar

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02 Apr, 2024
the joy ride
By gtm 13 Aug, 2022
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Accommodations

Aloft Tampa Downtown

Located right in the heart of the city, along the Hillsborough River, Aloft Tampa Downtown provides unparalleled access to a number of the area's biggest hot spots, such as the Tampa Riverwalk, Busch Gardens and the Tampa Theatre. During your downtime, feel free to meet and mingle with friends at the W XYZ® bar, or grab a delectable snack from Re:fuel by Aloft, our 24-hour pantry. When you need a moment to yourself, breeze into one of our loft-like rooms and suites, featuring forward-thinking designs, complimentary Wi-Fi and flat-panel TVs.

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Embassy Suites Tampa

Nestled in the heart of Downtown Tampa, Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown Convention Center welcomes you to a newly renovated, vibrant, and contemporary guest experience.


Connected via sky-bridge to the Tampa Convention Center, our all-suite hotel is within easy walking distance to attractions such as the Florida Aquarium, Sparkman Wharf (formerly Channelside Bay Plaza), and the Tampa Riverwalk. Cheer on your favorite sports team at the Amalie Arena (located only one block away), Raymond James Stadium, and Tropicana Field. 

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Epicurean

Epicurean Hotel, Autograph Collection



Designed as an ideal retreat, Epicureans 137 guest rooms and suites are a luxurious blend of urban chic and comfort. Our Tampa hotel is decorated to reflect our culinary heritage and unique flavor of the area.

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Gram's Place Hostel

Grams Place is a Hostel Bed and Breakfast located in Tampa FL that was established in 1991 as a result of owner Mark Holland taking a trip to Amsterdam.


Impressed by the tolerant nature of Amsterdam and receiving the Dutch'Gram Parsons Award' created by Henk Korsten of the Netherlands, recognizing Parsons as the official God Father of Country Rock Music, Mark set out with a dream: The idea was to bring all people together through music, the international language.

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Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay

Experience an Upscale Tampa Bay Hotel on the Waterfront and Escape to the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Our hotel set on 35 tropically landscaped waterfront acres. Located three miles from Tampa International Airport and Bay Street, our hotel is moments from shopping and sports arenas in Tampa Bay. Retreat to enjoy award-winning dining with stunning bay views.

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Hilton Garden Inn Ybor City

Stay in historic Ybor at Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District offering complimentary WiFi and more. Our hotel is a short walk from Centro Ybor and Ybor City nightlife and a street car ride from Channelside. This Ybor City hotel is within easy access of downtown Tampa, the Tampa Convention Center and the Port of Tampa.


Stay connected in our Ybor City hotel using the 24-hour business center with amenities designed for success, such as WiFi and remote printing. Work out in the fully equipped fitness center, featuring cardio machines and weights.

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Hotel Alba

Located in Tampas growing Westshore District, Hotel Alba features 222 stylish guest rooms meticulously designed to provide a memorable experience to business and leisure travelers. Hotel highlights include a gallery featuring original work by student artists and a signature restaurant with open-air dining and innovative dishes created from locally-sourced ingredients.

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Le Méridien Tampa

Travel back in time at Le Méridien Tampa. This century-old Historic Federal Courthouse has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind Tampa hotel. Located in the heart of downtown Tampa, this boutique hotel is the backdrop for exploring the city in style. Our on-site restaurant, Bizou Brasserie, serves a mix of international cuisine, a variety of French-inspired selections, signature eclairs, French pastries and a light fare of sparkling drinks served in an engaging atmosphere. Iconic Tampa courtrooms have been repurposed as elegant hotel meeting rooms and event venues.

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Residence Inn

Travel with confidence when staying at the Residence Inn Tampa Downtown hotel, where stylish suites provide relaxing comfort so guests can focus on the business at hand. Designed to provide the comforts of home, our studio-, one- and two-bedroom suites have plenty of room so Florida travelers can unpack and make the most of their travel time. Each of our suites feature fully-equipped kitchens ideal for extended-stay travel, and our hotel's central location is convenient to the downtown Tampa Convention Center, Ybor City, Amalie Arena and other top destinations. 

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Tampa Marriott Water Street

Experience Tampa's dynamic downtown with a stay at Tampa Marriott Water Street. Our beautifully transformed, waterfront hotel sits adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center and is steps from the Tampa Riverwalk, Florida Aquarium, the evolving Sparkman Wharf (formerly Channelside) and Amalie Arena. Relax in a reimagined room or suite, which features spacious layouts, indulgent bedding, mini-refrigerators, ample workstations and balconies with water or skyline views. Choose one of our Stay Well rooms to enjoy amenities like air purifiers and vitamin-infused showers. 

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The Westin Tampa Waterside

Edging the shimmering waterfront near celebrated downtown attractions, The Westin Tampa Waterside is a haven of wellness and renewal. Embrace effortless relaxation in newly renovated hotel accommodations with residential-inspired floorplans, modern essentials, plush furnishings and signature amenities. Delight your palate with fresh seafood and handcrafted cocktails at our scenic Blue Harbour Eatery + Bar. Stay in a coveted location within steps of the Tampa Convention Center near the Florida Aquarium, Sparkman Wharf, Amalie Arena, Tampa Riverwalk and Raymond James Stadium.

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Tampa Riverwalk Hotel

Optimize your time on the Gulf Coast. Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel offers easy access to downtown attractions and waterfront views that linger with you long after you leave. Stroll the Tampa Riverwalk, our two-mile trail along the Hillsborough River lined with artists and Florida's oldest restaurant. Visit the Tampa Convention Center, Florida Aquarium and other family-friendly attractions near Ybor City. Our Tampa hotel offers delicious dining at River's Edge restaurant and smart exercise equipment in our naturally lit Sheraton Fitness center.

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The Westin Tampa Bay

Elevate your travel experience with a luxurious stay at The Westin Tampa Bay. Our AAA Four-Diamond waterfront hotel boasts a beautiful location on the bay with magnificent views and world-class amenities. We are located just 3 miles away from Tampa International Airport with easy access to downtown Tampa attractions and the Westshore business district. Visit nearby Busch Gardens, Raymond James Stadium, the Florida Aquarium, Clearwater Beach, St. Petersburg and the University of Tampa. After a day of fun-filled Florida adventures, retreat to our modern rooms and suites featuring luxury bedding, room service and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.

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The Godfrey

Nestled amid lush tropical grounds at the edge of the Tampa Bay beachfront, our island-inspired hotel is a waterfront escape of chic casual luxury, comfort and service. The Godfrey's convenient location near Tampa International Airport is ideal for vacations, couples getaways and wedding celebrations.


Every detail of our resort-style property is designed to help you discover your element, from our two heated outdoor pools, private dock, fitness center, 7,000 square feet of flexible function space and our 20,000sf pool and cabana venue.

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The Westshore Grand

For business and leisure travelers alike, The Westshore Grand, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is a unique and stylish hotel that defines an authentically modern Florida lifestyle. The Westshore Grand offers distinctive, luxurious Florida-inspired design, as well as an energetic and service-minded atmosphere. Conveniently located in the Westshore business district, just five miles from downtown Tampa and the Tampa Convention Center our hotel is ideal for business and for play. 

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Attractions

Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens Tampa (formerly known as Busch Gardens Africa and Busch Gardens: The Dark Continent) is a 335-acre (136ha) African-themed animal theme park located in the city of Tampa, Florida. Busch Gardens Tampa is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and is the 2nd largest park in terms of attendance behind SeaWorld Orlando. The park officially features nine roller coasters and two water rides amongst other rides and animal attractions. On April 19th, 2019, Busch Gardens opened its newest roller coaster, a Sky Rocket II named Tigris.

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Centro Ybor

The Centro YBOR Management Office is located at 1600 E. 8th Avenue, Suite E109 next to YBOR YBOR.


The management office telephone number is (813) 242-4660.


Management office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM until 5:30 PM. Voicemail is available after hours. In case of an after hours emergency, please contact Security at

813-281-0858.

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Everglades Day Safari

The Day Safari is a certified Everglades eco-tour, led by a naturalist who guides you into the Everglades and explores the four main ecosystems, including the pine savannas, cypress swamps, mangrove forests, and sawgrass prairies.


Enjoy an amazing Fort Myers airboat tour, a nature walk through ancient cypress, a mangrove wilderness boat tour in Everglades National Park, a wildlife drive through Big Cypress National Preserve, and a delicious southern lunch with this Florida eco-safari!

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The Castle

The Castle opened on Guavaween in 1992 as a small saloon with a determined goal: create a great place that all of our friends would like to visit.


Adding in the idea of strong drinks, from a diverse selection of single malt scotches, small batch bourbon, aged tequila and a eclectic mix of beers from around the world didn't hurt either. A killer jukebox supplied the music for a few years, before Djs were added to spice up the varied genres that the Castle royalty required.

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TBHC

The Tampa Bay History Center


Beginning with a look at Floridas first peoples, who inhabited the peninsula some 10,000 years ago, and the arrival of European explorers in the 1500s, to Tampa Bays modern role as a port city, industrial capital of west central Florida and a draw for tourists and visitors the world over, the History Center tells the story of Tampa Bays and Floridas history, heritage and culture.

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The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, publicly operated institution located in Tampa, Florida, United States. It is a large scale, 250,000-square-foot (23,000m2) aquarium and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This means they are a leader in conservation and education, supporting programs for wildlife and having a strong educational component in the forms of summer camps, school trips, etc.

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ZooTampa at Lowry Park

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is operated by the Lowry Park Zoological Society, an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to excellence in education, conservation and research. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and is featured among the'Top 25 Zoos in the U.S' by TripAdvisor (2015) and'10 Best Zoos in the U.S.' by Trekaroo (2015). The Zoo is located at 1101 W. Sligh Avenue in Tampa, one mile west of I-275 (exit 48) and is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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Florida State Fairgrounds

In February of 1977, the first Fair was held at the location its still held today, near Interstate 4 and U.S Highway 301 in eastern Hillsborough County. The 330-acre site sits just seven miles from its original downtown Tampa location. Once moving to the East Tampa location, new buildings, barns and even the Mildred W. and Doyle E. Carlton, Jr Cracker Country living history museum were established. The Fair grew' and continues to grow' each year.

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Bars & Clubs

City Side Lounge

LGBT cocktail lounge with TVs & an outdoor area, plus billiards, karaoke & cabaret shows.

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Honey Pot

The Honey Pot is one of Ybor's hottest clubs. With the hottest people, if you wanna experience Ybor City this is the place to be!

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Southern Nights

Mission Statement: "To provide the premier nightclub experience for the LGBTQ community in the greater Tampa, Florida area. In the effort to complete this goal we will provide first-rate customer service and craft all drinks with skill and consistency. The customer will always come first and the bar will be as family to the community."

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Cristoph's

We are Cristophs Tampa. We believe in the power of rock and roll. We love guitars. We abhor homophobia. We enjoy a cold beer. We like disco. We despise racism. We cannot respect disrespectful behavior. We can be silly. We do believe variety is the spice of life. We love a man in leather. We're partial to scruff. We love a parade. We enjoy a night on the town. We LOVE TAMPA. We look forward to making new friends. We love coming home to Cristophs Tampa.

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CrowBar

Crowbar is a live music and special events venue, open 7 nights a week in the Historic Ybor City District of Tampa. The Crows Nest Beer Garden is home to several weekly and monthly events including The Beer Garden Sessions and Ol' Dirty Sundays!

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Restaurants

Carmine's

Italian, Cuban and Spanish Restaurant located in the heart of Ybor City - Tampa's Latin Quarter. While specializing in dishes from Italy, Cuba and Spain; Carmine's is home to the devil crab and has one of the best Cuban Sandwiches in Tampa Bay.


Enjoy dining with a front row, window view of 7th Avenue, recognized as one of the '10 Great Streets in America' by the American Planning Association.; Ybor City today is one of only two national historic landmark districts in Florida.

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Hard Rock Cafe Tampa

We offer a huge selection of electrifying gambling to amp up your fun, whether you're an amateur or an experienced player. Enjoy the excitement 24 hours a day featuring the hottest slots, thrilling table games and an action packed poker room. The property also showcases some of the greatest pieces of music memorabilia throughout the casino for an atmosphere like no other.

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Oxford Exchange

If community is the heart of Oxford Exchange, the history is most certainly its soul.


Seated across the street from what was once Henry B. Plants legendary Tampa Bay Hotel, our space, has undergone several transformations throughout its lifetime. Originally constructed in 1891, we believe it began as a humble stable. (Today, vintage horseshoes and milk bottles unearthed during renovations are displayed in our Commerce Club.)

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The Candle Pour

The Candle Pour is a custom candle-making experience that allows you to create your own soy-wax candle from your choice of over 100 different fragrance oils.


The process in our shop only takes about 30 minutes for all products. Once your candle is poured, it will need to set for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours before it is ready to go home (most of our flameless options can be taken with you immediately). Hyde Park is filled with shopping, restaurant & fitness options to fill that time, or you can come another day to pick up your candle.

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P.F. Changs

P. F. Chang's China Bistro is an American-based, Asian-themed, casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1993 by Paul Fleming and Philip Chiang. Centerbridge Partners owned and operated Chang's until acquired by TriArtisan Capital Advisors on March 2, 2019. P. F. Chang's is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. The chain specializes in American Chinese cuisine, plus other Asian dishes. Employees describe the menu as "Asian flavors." As of October 2017, Chang's operated 208 restaurants in the United States and more than 100 in international markets under licensee agreements.

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New York New York Pizza

New York New York Pizza only serves the absolute best!! ALWAYS FRESH ALWAYS FROM SCRATCH! 


Come visit us at 1512 E 7th Ave Tampa, FL and decide which of our specialty pizza is YOUR favorite!!

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Armature Works

Armature Works is a fully restored mixed-use building that breathes new life into the historic Tampa Heights neighborhood. With its unobstructed view of the Hillsborough River, the historic structure has been reinvented as a premier community destination with innovativeeateries, Heights Public Market, reimagined event spaces and an exclusive coworking space.

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District Tavern

District Tavern is your classic neighborhood bar, but with an upscale twist.Located in the heart of the Channel District of Downtown Tampa, often referred to as Channelside' just minutes away from Ybor and SOHO. We bring together new American cuisine, craftcocktails, craft beer and top-quality wines.


District Tavern is open daily from 11am to 3am with our kitchen open until midnight or later.


Monday through Friday we have Happy Hour from 4pm to 7pm.

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Datz Delicatessen

Since the opening of Datz on January 28, 2009, owners Roger and Suzanne Perry have sparked invention and reinvention in Tampas food scene. They have evolved Datz into the home of comfort food with flair, in the hopes of making their sons Brandon and Matthew proud. Its a craft beer oasis, a bourbon lovers paradise, a foodie wonderland filled with bacon, cheese, and house-made breads.

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Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory story begins in Detroit, Michigan in the 1940s. Evelyn Overton found a recipe in the local newspaper that would inspire her'Original' Cheesecake. Everyone loved her recipe so much that she decided to open a small Cheesecake shop, but she eventually gave up her dream of owning her own business in order to raise her two small children, David and Renee. She moved her baking equipment to a kitchen in her basement and continued to supply cakes to several of the best restaurants in town while raising her family.

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Art / Entertainment

Tampa Museum of Art

The Tampa Museum of Art opened its award-winning new building in 2010 with a commitment to provide innovative public programs with a focus on ancient, modern, and contemporary art. The Museum balances a growing collection, including one of the largest Greek and Roman antiquities collections in the southeastern United States, with a dynamic annual schedule of special exhibitions. 

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MOSI

Tampas Museum of Science & Industry' we call it MOSI for short' is a scientific playground with more than 100 hands-on activities!


Guests can lie on a bed of nails, build a robot, explore optical illusions, challenge themselves with hands-on brain puzzles, explore another world in our NASA-funded Mission: Moonbase lunar colony, touch the future in Connectus and learn about planets and our solar system in the Saunders Planetarium.

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Straz Center for the Performing Arts

The David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors as the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa, Florida in July 1987. The venue was rebranded in November 2009 to recognize the donation of financier David A. Straz, Jr.--the largest individual philanthropic gift ever made to a cultural institution in Tampa.

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Ybor City Museum

The Ybor City Museum Society and Ybor City Museum State Park invite you to experience the rich cultural heritage of Ybor City, one of only two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. Visit the Museum located in the 1923-era Ferlita Bakery, its lush Mediterranean-style garden and the "casita," representative of a typical cigar-worker's family home. Check often for special events, programming updates and news on the many exciting activities that the Museum and Society plan for you. 

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FMoPA

The FLORIDA MUSEUM of PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS is a museum dedicated to exhibiting important photographic art as central to contemporary life and culture. FMoPA collects, preserves, and exhibits historic and contemporary works by nationally and internationally known photographic artists. FMoPA also enriches the community by operating outreach programs to educate children and adults.

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Resources

Hyde Park Village

Set in Hyde Park's beautiful historic district with tree-lined streets and charming brick walkways, Hyde Park Village is the epitome of the new Tampa. Offering the best on-street retail, Hyde Park Village brings together top national brands with beloved local businesses and restaurants to create the downtown Tampa has been waiting for. The recent revitalization has also solidified Hyde Park Village as the go-to destination for entertainment and nightlife, creating an air of casual revelry for Tampas socially-inclined coterie.

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Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber

We serve the entirety of Tampa Bay, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and as far north as Tarpon Springs. In addition to this web site, we host various activities including monthly Business 2 Business Networking Socials, Breakfast N' Learns, Luncheons, and an annual awards banquet, The Diamonds In Diversity. We also have an online business directory and an annual magazine and directory distributed throughout the Tampa Bay area.

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Shopping

International Plaza

Tampa's Premier Shopping and Dining Destination


International Plaza and Bay Street, an enclosed, two-story regional shopping center with an adjacent outdoor lifestyle center, is located on the southeast edge of the Tampa International Airport. It features 200 specialty stores and 15 restaurants, plus Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Dillard's and Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza. Shopping hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

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Sparkman Wharf

Revitalizing, refreshing, connecting.


Situated along Garrison Channel in downtown Tampa, Sparkman Wharf celebrates the best of Tampa' good weather, waterfront views, music, craft beer, and exceptional dining.

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Tampa City Center

With its superior water and cityscape views, fully-amenitized retail esplanade, and central address between the city's largest, best-located parking garage and top-reviewed hotel, the 750,000-square-foot Tampa City Center is Downtowns premier office tower.

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Out of the Closet - St. Pete

Out of the Closet is a nonprofit chain of thrift stores whose revenues provide medical care for patients with HIV/AIDS. The chain is owned and operated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a Los Angeles-based charity that provides medical, preventive, and educational resources for patients. AHF is the nation's largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare, research, prevention, and education provider. Out of the Closet thrift stores generate income to help fund the medical services AHF provides for those patients who are unable to pay. Proceeds from Out of the Closet Thrift Stores directly benefit AHF.

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