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! 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!
Carla Dubis Tedeschi
