6 minute read
From the Editor
Explore Tampa Bay - Support Local Businesses!
I’ve lived in Tampa Bay since 2004, and I am still surprised at the amount of hidden local gems I have yet to explore. From adorable boutiques to food trucks and everything in between, Tampa Bay has numerous amazing small businesses just waiting for you to visit!
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With the pandemic numbers still rising, and with many business owners struggling to stay afloat, I am encouraging everyone to continue supporting your locally owned stores.
Explore your neighborhood and surrounding areas for small shops that offer goods and services you would normally purchase online or at big chain corporations. There are hundreds of businesses around you that are dying for an opportunity to win you as a customer. People that will greet you by name when you first walk in, people that still believe in family values and that go above and beyond to make you feel appreciated for your business.
During one of my “adventures” exploring local shops, I found myself at “Salty Paws” in Downtown Dunedin. It happens to be the first doggie ice cream shop in Florida, and it is a dream come true for any dog owner in town! Salty Paws Dunedin is owned and operated by Florida native Robyn Nackino, and Michelle Bimble, who has lived in Tampa since 1999. Robyn and Michelle are family-oriented women who enjoy supporting local businesses and have a passion for animals. I encourage everyone to spend a day exploring Dunedin and its multiple small local businesses, including Salty Paws! But be careful though, their “dog treats” look so beautiful and delicious that you may be tempted to bite one!
Recently, my mother and I have found ourselves on the fun quest to find Tampa Bay’s most unique “locally-owned coffee shop.” We spend every weekend supporting one new coffee shop/bakery in town, getting to know the owners, and exploring their menu options. Our dates are usually less than $20 and we leave having made new friends in a new place.
By doing this we’re not only supporting small businesses, but we’ve also gotten to know our city better and all the wonderful things it has to offer.
For information on art festivals, concerts, farmers markets, and other local events in town please get online and visit https://www.unation.com/fl/ tampa-bay or eventbrite.com for the latest information on local activities.
Another great way to support local organizations is through volunteering. The scope of the need is unprecedented. If you have the time and resources to volunteer at any local non-profit, please don’t hesitate. In these trying times, your help is always needed.
Metropolitan Ministries and Feeding Tampa Bay are organizations that are always looking for volunteers, and they help ensure that local families can find help when they need it most.
If you’re ready to start, visit https:// www.metromin.org/volunteering-areas/ and https://feedingtampabay.org/ respectively.
Stay safe and stay kind, always!
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in-class Spanish and Portuguese wines, beers, and vermouths, as well as other global wines of distinction and specialty food products from the Mediterranean.
“We specialize in Iberian wines (Spain and Portugal) and vermouths. We do sell other European and new world wines. We also carry food products like tuna, Sardines, anchovies, highend vinegar, chestnuts, almonds, oils from Spain and Portugal,” said Victor. “We were excited to share our wine culture with Carrollwood and offer something different because people were- pun intended- thirsty for a local non-franchise concept.”
The dark garnet walls are adorned with Spanish portraits of bullfighters and dancers. A guitar sits alone, waiting for someone to strum next to the long bar covered in Portuguese cork. With walls dressed in rows and rows of wine, food and wine displays decorated with Spanish pottery, set up conveniently throughout the shop, the specialized retail and wine bar in Carrollwood feels welcoming, warm, and inviting.
Victor said the personal attention he gives to every customer and the carefully curated selection makes La Vid stand out from other wine concepts.
“We are a smaller operation, so it permits us to have that one-onone with the customers. We also are willing to order anything that they want,” he said. “We are glad to cater to their needs. Customers can shop with confidence. I bring in products that are classic examples of what textbook Iberian wines are all about.”
Having worked regularly with wine in the hospitality industry, his interest was furthered when he was given a book about wine.
Once he experienced the different wines, a seed was planted and began to cultivate.
Victor went through rigorous training and exams to become a Certified Sommelier. An idea for opening his own shop formed.
“I had my own perspective and, with my experience, the tools to establish a successful business, learning from great people who’ve been in the business for years,” he said. “I don’t have this knowledge to want to keep to myself. I want to share with people. I want this to hub for people to learn about wine. I want to reach anybody who’s willing to taste something new and exciting.”
With ancestors from Spain, he said the idea to specialize in Iberian wines came easily.
“Maybe it’s preprogrammed in my
Certified Sommelier Victor Manuel
DNA because of my Hispanic heritage. It’s two parts – a personal side and a cultural one. Both great grandparents came from Spain, and the crest that we use here is actually an adaption of our family’s coat of arms. On the cultural side, Spain is a country that produces wines that can rival any kind of style of wine that exists in the world, and Portugal has such a vast variety has wines that there is no typical style. It’s a very exciting time in wine across the board, but especially in the Iberian peninsula. The quality of wines we are getting is punching way above its weight.”
Victor explained that the wines aren’t made in huge, mass qualities.
“It’s more of a finite product. A lot are unfiltered and unrefined. Though not always listed on the label, many are organic or biodynamically grown. I try to source the most talented producers to offer the best products that I can, which allows us to have a wonderful selection for the same prices you’d pay at a grocery store or chain liquor store. You’re getting a much better product, and you’re also buying and supporting local,” he said.
Not only can customers purchase wine from the retail shop, but they can also order from a menu of different varieties of Spain wines, beers, and ciders at the wine bar. Here, conveniently, customers can also enjoy the wine and food products they purchased in the retail shop.
During the pandemic, La Vid follows CDC guidelines of sanitization, masks inside the shop, and social distancing to protect customers and staff.
La Vid Fine Wines & Vinoteca is located at 14610 North Dale Mabry Highway. The business is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm, and Sunday, 11 am to 11 pm. The shop features a hospitality night on Sunday. Visit lavidwines. co or follow on facebook. com/LaVidWines to learn about upcoming classes and tastings. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments for consultations are
available.
