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Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s 18th Annual Cup of Compassion Breakfast: The annual Crisis Center of Tampa Bay held their annual Cup of Compassion Breakfast both virtually, and in-person with nearly 300 people attending at Armature Works. The Crisis Center handles over 170,000 requests each year and their mission of nobody in the community will face crisis alone. Providing help, hope and healing to the Tampa Bay Community. | 4th Annual Handbags & Happy Hour: Presented by ReEmployAbility and Sarah Watkins, guests enjoyed the 4th Annual Handbags & Happy Hour at the Glazer Family JCC. The silent auction was filled with new and gently used handbags and other items raising over $188,000 to support The Spring of Tampa Bay and its mission to prevent domestic violence, protect victims and promote change in lives, families and communities. | Tampa Theatre Celebrates the 22nd Annual Hollywood Awards Night: The Tampa Theatre celebrated the annual night at the movies with a hybrid live and virtual event. Presented by The Bank of Tampa, guests and supporters enjoyed the night either with a virtual VIP Pre-show with live and silent auctions ,and a catered dinner option or the option to attend the OSCARS® watch party, live and in-person in the historic auditorium.

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(1) John Lum, Bob Gries Jr., Sheriff Chad Chronister, Nikki DeBartolo (2) Liane Caruso, Jen McDonald, Dae Sheridan, Michele Norris, Kim Obrien, Kelly Addington, Jessica Muroff, Mindy Murphy (3) Penny Parks, Carly Kien, Elizabeth Brackman Kibert (4) Shelia & Alex Awad (5) Deborah White, Mary Kelly (6) Debbie Lunderg, Betsy Irizarry (7) Leland Baldwin, Denise Vaughan, Karen Vaughan (8) Kathleen Thaxton, Jenny MitchellSpencer, Ann Bailin (9) Even Co-chairs – Sarah Watkins, Megan Kuder (10) Diane Egner and Sandy Rief (11) Velocity Resource Group: Chris Smith, Luke Herchenbach, Matt Obrien, Jill Obrien, Melissa Fortino, John Fortino, Amanda Simpson, Tyler Simpson, Brittany Rice, Jennifer Edwards (12) Paul and Deirdre Dixon

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LAMPlighters “Lights, Festival, Hope” – A Street “Fare” Food Truck Festival: The LAMPLighters are a resourceful group and with the uncertainly due to the pandemic, one of their largest fundraising events pivoted with the times. An outdoor celebration of support for the children of Metropolitan Ministries and Joshua House was held in the parking lot and outdoor patio areas of the beautiful law offices of Bleakley Bavol Denman & Grace in North Tampa. Over 267 guests attended the event with delicious food truck vendors including Crab Daddy’s Surf & Turf, St. Pete Taco Lady, Slider Guy’s, Hoke Poke as well as desserts provided by The Cake Girl. Special guest speaker Tony March, CEO Pay It Backward Foundation gave an inspiring address to the crowd and a special $5,000 donation. LAMPLighter member, Elena Wagner provided the entertainment with her beautiful voice. | Humane Society of Tampa Bay Luncheon: It was a luncheon at one of the hottest spots in town to raise awareness and funds for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Meredith Balasco and Loren Rhoads hosted the afternoon luncheon at Meat Market in Hyde Park Village to benefit animals in need. Guest enjoyed a delicious three-course meal, appetizers and cocktails.

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(13) Summer Patterson, Cindy Sofarelli, Yolanda Cielo (14) Judith Henkin, Rob Bleakley, Charlene Bleakley, Kathy Cedro (15) Kari Adams, Shelley Sharp (16) 2021 Event Chairs: Marianne Bondanza, Ivy Peterson, Kimber Williams (17) Tony March CEO of the Pay It Backward Foundation, Charlene Bleakley with a $5,000 donation (18) Debbie Trujillo, Amy and Kurt Hull (19) Dede Grundel, Tony March, Ivy Peterson (20) Jason Teabout, Meredith Balasco, Candy DeBartolo, Rob Bowen, Letitia McKibbon (21) Parker Homans, Suzie Archibald, Cherie Schonbrun, Liz McCoy (22) Lindsey and Michael Stewart (23) Cheryl Adams, Loren Rhodes (24) Heather Van Nest, Eve Gloede, Nancy Floto

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A New Take on Luxury

Meet Ian Schrager - Creative Director The Residences at The Tampa EDITION

By Ronda M. Parag

METRO had an exclusive opportunity to video chat with the legendary Ian Schrager, Creative Director for EDITION and Founder and CEO of Ian Schrager Company. Schrager says he has been working from home, using Zoom and is optimistic that we’ve turned the corner on the pandemic. “We will get back to the same normal,” says Schrager. “We always do. It may take a little while. Masks and social distancing might be the norm, but we will get back to the way we were. People have a tendency to remember the good and forget the bad.”

Scheduled to open later this year, The Residences at The Tampa EDITION are developed by Strategic Property Partners, LLC and will be only the third EDITION residences in the world. There are 26 EDITION hotels throughout the world and the Tampa EDITION is located within the newly created 56-acre Water Street Tampa neighborhood in downtown Tampa. The EDITION hotel will have 172 guest rooms and suites, six food and beverage outlets, a signature restaurant and roof top bar and terrace. Atop the hotel, there are 37 luxurious, one-of-akind homes, called The Residences at The Tampa EDITION. The Residences at The Tampa EDITION weave ease and well-being into every aspect of life and are designed to promote wellness.

METRO: Tell us your thoughts about The EDITION in Tampa.

Ian Schrager: The scale is very exciting. This is Tampa’s moment and it doesn’t happen by itself. Tampa has industry and is really a great city. The quality of life was good. Tampa’s been in the shadow of Orlando and South Florida and that is over with. I think Tampa is the gateway to all of southern Florida. I believe that, not because of any data or intellectual studies, I’m saying that because, I feel it. Tampa is a good city to live and provides a quality of life. Sometimes, it takes time to wake up and see something.

M: You are credited with creating the luxury-boutique hotel concept. Give us some background.

S: “I’m a little bit of a renegade, I like being subversive to the status quo. When we did the first lifestyle hotel, we wanted to do something that hadn’t been done before. We wanted to manifest my generation, not my parents. We created for my popular culture, not my parents. Things change and hotels need to reflect those changes through the visuals, designs, feel – through the F & B, etc.

M: What will be different about the EDITION in Tampa from other markets?

S: The property has to be appropriate for the location – it’s a manifestation of the place. The hotel will feel like your staying in Tampa, not a cliché. The hotel reflects and has references to Tampa, the sunny hotel in the center of state, but at the same time, we need to be be true to ourselves. We need to be consistent with the aesthetic and style, and the standards of excellence. But, the property has to be a Tampa hotel for it to be successful. It has to be different in subtle and sophisticated ways. The plantings and landscaping was a critical aspect of the EDITION. We don’t want people to feel like they are leaving Tampa to come inside, so we created a the tropical oasis. The inside is an extension of the outdoor space. Each EDITION hotel reflects the feeling of the city they are located.

M: What separates the EDITION from other luxury hotel brands?

S: Our notion of luxury is a modern notion – for modern people, based upon a different criteria than previous. Luxury today is not about the brand of your shirt or car you drive, it’s about how you feel. How does the property make you feel? Is it comforting, is it convenient, does it give you the freedom of time and freedom from hassles? I think that is what traditional luxury hotels are missing. Traditional hotels are using antiquated criteria that people just don’t care about any more. People want to be treated with humanity, with a genuine friendliness and that is the EDITION approach. Everything changes, we can’t be guided by the past. Luxury has to keep pace with it. The EDITION wants to provide guests with a new luxury experience. We want to give guests everything they need, and nothing they don’t, and that takes all the pretense out of it.

M: What do you like about the Tampa Bay area?

S: Life is easy. You are able to get around easy, close to the airport and views of the water. The people have an energy, it’s urbanized, but they are still kind of relaxed about everything. Tampa is one of the leading cities right now.

M: We have to ask about Studio 54. Any thoughts?

S: I have ambivalent feelings about Studio 54, obviously, but I love when people tell me about their good times and experiences. It was my first business and as time goes on, I’m remembering more and more of the good, and less and less of the bad. I enjoy doing things that people haven’t seen before. Because they love it, that is why I still keep doing it.

M: How will you spend your summer?

S: I have a big family, and really enjoy time with my friends and family. We will go to the beach and on the boat. I know that doesn’t go along with my nightclub past. I tell my kids - I’m lucky, I love what I do. To me, I’m the richest guy in the world. I love my family, I love my friends, I love what I do. I’m perfectly content with what I have, and I don’t care what anyone else has. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. M

Tropical pool deck at the Tampa EDITION

8 Great Summer Scoops

By Ronda M. Parag

It’s the quintessential food of summer — that sugary, sweet taste of ice cream, or a cool burst of a flavored popsicle. Beat the heat this summer with a scoop (or two) from some of our favorites shops around Tampa Bay.

Dairy Joy

Serving up soft serve cones with dips, hard picked ice cream along with delicious shakes, snow cones, sundaes and banana splits. Sit outside at the picnic tables and enjoy the statue of Elvis that makes for a great selfie post.

3813 S. Manhattan Ave. | Tampa, FL 33611 813.839.5485 | www.dairyjoytampa.com

Bright Ice

There are now three locations serving up small batch ice cream with the most recent location in downtown Tampa. Unique flavors include blueberry with cinnamon and carmelized bananas with peanut butter and honey, plus locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

Located at Tampa Marriott Water Street 505 Water St. Suite A-01 | Tampa, FL 33602 813.442.8419 | www.brighticeisnice.com

Aubi & Ramsa

Enjoy a sweet treat just for adults with infused premium liquor ice cream and sorbet. The Tampa location is sleek and sophisticated inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. The containers include bourbon, champagne and single malt such as Macallan 12 years, and Veuve Cliquot Rose & St. Germain,

Located in Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa 5223 Orient Road | Tampa, FL 33610 www.seminolehardrocktampa.com

Chill Bros. Ice Cream

Whether your in South Tampa or Ybor City, the name comes from the local Chillura family that created the scratch made custard with five pure ingredients. Based on the season, you’ll find seasonal selections with fruit from Plant City’s Wish Farms including Blueberry Buckle or Strawberry. Classic flavors include Chronic Popcorn or the Guava Pastelito.

3302 W. Bay to Bay Blvd. | Tampa, FL 33629 813.835.0008 | www.chillbros.com

1910 E. 7th Ave. | Tampa, FL 33605 www.chillbros.com

The Revolution Ice Cream Co.

Started in Seminole Heights, this ice cream shop serves up the most unique flavor combinations including chocolate and habanero peppers, and candied bacon ice cream. There is always new flavors on the menu at the three locations that have a play area for the kids and walls filled with work by local artists.

6701 N. Florida Ave. | Tampa, FL 33604 813.513.5053 | www.revicecream.com

4032 W. Kennedy Blvd. | Tampa, FL 33609 813.573.7744 | www.revicecream.com

Paciugo Gelato & Caffè

Italy is available right here on Beach Drive in St. Pete. Try a delicious serving of gelato in flavors like Crunch Berry, Amarena Black Cherry Swirl and Monkey Business. Also serving delicious shakes, smoothies, pies and macaroons and a Affogato — gelato topped with expresso or hot chocolate.

300 Beach Drive Northeast | St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727.209.0298 | www.paciugostpete.com

The Hyppo

These gourmet ice pops are the ideal summer treat that are available around Tampa Bay. The popsicles have unique flavor combinations and are made with only the freshest fruit, herbs and ingredients. The company has made over 450 combinations and are still experimenting. Each shop has around 50 flavors to choose from.

702 S. Village Circle | Tampa, FL, 33605 813.422.4387 | www.thehyppo.com

1600 E. 8th Ave. | Tampa, FL 33605 813.644.4289 | www.thehyppo.com

627 Central Ave. | St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727.489.6536 | www.thehyppo.com

Snobachi Handcrafted Ice Cream

In the heart of Ybor City, the once rolled ice cream is now serving up scoops of their delicious ice cream with the same great flavors and great toppings to choose from including Doh Butter — bischoff cookies and cookie dough mix, and Berry Cheesecake. Also, enjoy the delicious icy Dragon Ballz and milkshakes and slushies.

2206 E. 7th Ave. | Tampa, FL 33605 813.284.6071 | https://snobachi.business.site