As we’ve all heard, the Tampa Bay area is (mostly) enjoying an economic upswing, with a spate of new residential and mixed-use developments set to permeate the urban cores of St. Pete and Tampa. A sure sign of the region’s upward mobility, retail outfits are flocking here — some indie, some not-so-indie. Here is a list of some of the key spots slated to set up shop (or that have recently opened their doors) this summer.
Athleta This Gap, Inc. brand sells high-end workout attire as well as swimwear and casual clothing. It is scheduled to open in June in the old Juicy Couture storefront. International Plaza, 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. athleta.com.
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World At 140,000 square feet, this mega big-box sporting and outdoor goods retailer, 13,000-gallon aquarium and cabin-style facade and all, will soon be open to suit all your huntin’ and fishin’ needs. There’s also an on-site restaurant called Islamorada Fish Company and Restaurant. The entire outfit is slated to open in July. I-75 and Adamo Road, Brandon. basspro.com.
David Yurman Jewelry designer David Yurman will open his first Tampa Bay area boutique in the space next to Gucci in August. International Plaza, 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. davidyuman.com.
Disco Dolls Unequivocally, Seminole Heights is Tampa’s hub for creative indie types, so naturally this salon/boutique combo’s recent relocation to the neighborhood (from the NoHo area, near the Armory) is a good fit. In addition to a full-service hair salon, you’ll find clothing, beauty products, cards, books, candles and John Fluevog shoes. Management says a grand opening celebration is scheduled for July. 4632 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-641-4367, thediscodolls.com.
Fourward Glass Gallery A media release touts the new spot as “a modern, upscale glass gallery featuring scientific, heady, and decorative glass with artists from the United States and Asia.” The grand opening is Saturday, May 23, starting at 11 a.m. 611 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-433-9991, fourwardglass.com.
Lululemon Probably the most well-known place to buy yoga pants and other items related to the practice, this spot is slated to open at Tampa’s mega-mall in June. International Plaza, 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. lululemon.com.
Pearl Salon Owner Kim Nguyen is set to open a 4,200 square-foot salon offering manicures, pedicures, waxing, massages, a blow-dry bar and more, in early June, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Park Tower, 400 N. Tampa St., Tampa. pearlsalontampa.com.
Vital Solutions IV Nutrition For anyone who’s ever wished they could just inject all their necessary nutrients, this novel clinic, which has its grand opening celebration Friday, May 22, might be worth checking out. The idea is to treat fatigue, dehydration and even hangovers via intravenous solutions. 222 2nd St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-202-6807, vitalsolutionsiv.com.
Sketch & Sip If you can’t get enough of those fun, boozy painting classes — of which St. Pete currently has two — there’s one more on its way. The Central Ave. studio will be the sister property of the flagship Riverview location. It’s set to open over the summer, though it’s unclear exactly when. 1010 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 813-694-5954, sketchandsip.com.
Vertical Ventures Like its longstanding Tampa counterpart, this climbing gym features extensive space to get vertical — 10,000 square feet of it, to be exact, with a maximum height of 40 feet. It’s open to members of the Tampa gym now, and will be open to the public in June. 116 18th St. S., St. Petersburg.
Vom Fass This gourmet chain retailer should fit in nicely along Beach Drive, the affluent shopping and dining spot in downtown St. Pete. It will offer gourmet oils, spices and vinegars as well as wines and spirits. It’s expected to open this summer. Parkshore Plaza, 300 Beach Drv., St. Petersburg. vomfassusa.com.
White Owl Market St. Pete’s 600 Block has long been a key place for scoring vintage and antique finds, and this spot is the latest case in point. Here you’ll spot everything from antique cash registers to vibrantly painted shabby chic furniture to chunky costume jewelry. It had its soft opening earlier this month and has been open to the public since early spring. 683 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-235-4706, whiteowlmarket.com.