The 2011 Downtown Tampa Holiday Gift Finder
Tampa Downtown holiday shopping offers a most unique selection of holiday gifts in the Tampa Bay Area; there is truly something for everyone on your list. You will also enjoy the convenience of finding these sought-after gifts close to your work or home (or both!)
Many small businesses are listed below. You can consider this is an extension of Small Business Saturday - supporting the efforts of hard-working local entrepreneurs.
A total of 116 downtown businesses are listed below to help you find some wonderful ways to make the people on your holiday list very happy. We'll update as more options are made known!
And remember, there's even more at the Tampa Downtown Market on Fridays!
The 2011 Downtown Tampa Holiday Gift Finder
GIFTS OF ADVENTURE AND LOCAL TOURING
Channelside Watersports, 1910 N. Ola Ave, on the Hillsborough River
For the experienced boater on your list: Boat Rentals Tampa, Jet Ski Rentals Tampa, Kayak Tampa Bay. Gift certificates available. Look for Channelside Watersports' booth at the December 2nd Downtown Market!
City Bike Tampa, 212 E. Cass Street
Full service specialty bike shop in Downtown Tampa focused on rentals, tours, sales, service, repairs, parts and accessories. Authorized dealer for Bianchi, Pedego (electric bicycles), Kona, Jamis, Eastern and KHS Bicycles. Tampa history bike tours; gift certificates available.
Ghost Tours
Gift certificates for Ghost Tours that leave nightly from the Indigo Café on Franklin Street in Tampa. Perhaps you'll meet the Ghosts of Christmas Past...
Magic Carpet Glide, Channelside Bay Plaza
Gift certificates for Segway tours of Tampa from Channelside through the Riverwalk and Bayshore.
Tampa Bay Sailing Tours
Gift certificates available for full-day, half-day and dreamy sunset tours on the Tampa Bay that include food and soft drink service on board. Look for the Tampa Bay Sailing Tours at the December 2nd Downtown Market!
Tampa Water Shuttle and Water Taxi
Gift certificates for harbor tours and romantic sunset tours. Pirate adventures and treasure hunts for kids' special events. Look for the Water Taxi booth at the December 2nd Downtown Market!
GIFTS OF THE BOUQUET (and MORE)
Bay Bouquet Floral Studio, 203 West Platt Street
Gorgeous floral arrangements and gift baskets (fruit, chocolate, and "pamper me").
Downtown Flowers & Gifts, 715 W. Platt Street
Spectacular flowers, plant and gift baskets.
Downtown Florist, 200 N. Tampa Street
Fabulous florals, plants, and home décor - look for merchandise featured right outside their door each day.
Geoffrey's Channelside, 513 South Florida Avenue
Splendid florals and home décor, residential and commercial decorative services.
The Nature Shop,711 N. Franklin
Superb flower arrangements and more. Home décor, live and artificial plants, pirate themed items, and greeting cards.
GIFTS OF FITNESS: GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE
(Useful with New Year's Resolution)
Downtown YMCA, 100 North Tampa Street, 104 S. Franklin Street
Kiss & Tale Pole Fitness Studio, 1000 Channelside Drive
Powerhouse Gym Downtown, 1120 Kennedy Boulevard
Punch Boxing For Fitness, 411 Grand Central Avenue
The Sweatshop Urban Gym, 715 N. Franklin Street
YOGA Downtown Tampa, 206 E. Cass Street
GIFTS OF GOLD, GEMS, AND TIME
Hayman Jewelry Company, 305 E. Madison Street.
Since 1932 in Downtown Tampa. Offering: 35% off most jewelries and watches throughout the month of December! (Exceptions for all Chamilia jewels.) Certified gemologist on site. Estate jewelry 60% off. Gift certificates available.
GIFTS FOR GOURMETS, CHOCOHOLICS, AND CONNOISSEURS OF FINE WINES
Duckweed Urban Market,305 W. Polk Street
Gourmet cheeses, pastas, sauces, salsas, fine wine, imported beers, and fresh bakery items. Daily news on Duckweed Facebook Page.
Peppermint Reindeer Konfection Kafe, 201 Twiggs Street.
Delectable gourmet chocolates and other hand dipped candies sold individually and in festive "Santa Tray" and "Holiday Sleigh" packages. 1/2 Off Holiday Gift Packages of Chocolates. Local owner offers all price ranges.
Qachbal's Chocolatier, Channelside Bay Plaza
Scrumptious hand dipped chocolate, gift towers, corporate gifts, gourmet bakery items including cupcakes and cheese cakes. Family owned and offering all price ranges.
Wine Design, Channelside Bay Plaza, Channelside Bay Plaza
Gift certificates at this family-owned wine shop, small in size, but with a diverse selection of wines and a very special tasting room for Girls Night Out! All at competitive prices.
GIFTS FROM HOTEL GIFT SHOPS - Many Happy Surprises!
Hyatt Regency Gift Shop, 211 N. Tampa Street
Choose from a wide array of Brighton jewelry and artsy canvas bags.
Marriott Channelside Gift Shop, Channelside
Look for local crafted costume jewelry, including "Pasha," lovely holiday home décor, sports apparel, and a wide selection of designer accessory items.
Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel Gift Shop. 200 N. Ashley Drive.
Choose a pair of fancy beach sandals, fashion purses, and fun pirate themed gifts.
LOCAL STOREFRONTS OFFERING UNIQUE GIFTS FOR HOME AND OFFICE!
AIA - Bazaarchitect Holiday Shop, 200 N. Tampa Street
From November 17 through Holiday Season. Look for unique jewelry, pottery, glass ornaments, napkins, napkin rings, placemats, paper ornaments, t-shirts (Tour Tampa Bay Architecture), origami framed pictures, photography, laptop/ipad/kindle covers (handmade).
Beverly's Hallmark Card and Gift Shop, 512 N. Franklin Street
A must see among the 2011 Hallmark® holiday gifts for all ages and holiday home décor: Interactive Storybook and Story Buddy™ and Peanuts Characters that amazingly play their instruments in concert.
Fed Ex Kinko's, 400 North Tampa Street
Holiday Cards - Style and Print Special $15.00.
One World Gift Store, 410 Zack Street (Operated by the First Presbyterian Church)
Imported from church missionaries throughout the world. Decorative items for the home or office from around the world; Many holiday themed gifts, including ornaments from Russia. All profits support local and worldwide charities. Great Deals! (Open Monday through Friday 11 am to 2 pm only.)
White House Gear of Tampa, Channelside Bay Plaza
Family owned store with whimsy and the ultimate in stock stuffer ideas. Political funnies, retro throwbacks, and the largest collection of rubber ducks in town. (You'll also find lovely apparel here.)
GIFTS FROM OUR MUSEUMS - MANY GIFTS ARE UNIQUE TO TAMPA
The Florida Aquarium Gift Shop - 701 Channelside Drive.
Family of Four Membership Gift: $140.00. 10% discount on memberships through December! Gift Shop with large array of aquatic themed artworks, books, DVDs, one-of-a-kind art, jewels, toys, stationery, purses, clothing, and home decor.
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts - 200 N. Tampa Street
(Moving to beautiful, new location at 400 N. Ashley soon!) Posters, books, and novelties - many based on current and past exhibits. Individual Membership: $45.00 - with national reciprocal benefits, $120.00. Bud Lee's American exhibit currently showing.
Glazer Children's Museum Play2Go Gift Shop - 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza
Specializing in child development toys, books, dress-up play, and much more. Basic family membership offers unlimited entry to the museum for one year: $100.00. Clifford Big Red Dog Exhibit through December 31, 2011.
Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Home décor, accessories, books, artwork, and youth-themed gifts. 30th annual Victorian Christmas Stroll from December 1st to 23rd. Give a basic "friend" membership with reciprocal benefits: $50.00.
Tampa Fire Fighters Museum 720 East Zack Street
Check ou the 2012 Calendar of Tampa's Bravest.
Tampa Bay History Center 801 Old Water Street
Home décor, apparel, accessories, books, youth-themed gifts, artwork and much more. Basic individual membership is $50.00, $25.00 for teachers and students. Reciprocal benefits available.
Tampa Museum of Art Gift Shop - 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza.
Artworks, mens and women's accessories, jewelry, home décor, kitchen items, toys, and much more. Individual annual membership $50.00. Discounted shopping event with over 10 artists' works December 5th - 4 to 8 p.m.
GIFTS FOR SPORTS FANS
The Tampa Bay Lightning
Offering the "Vinnie Holiday 4-Pack of Tickets" with autographed puck, also all Team Merchandise; all available on-line!
Tampa Bay Rays Pro Shop and Sales Office, 400 N. Tampa Street.
In addition to official Rays gear and team holiday decor, game-used jerseys and balls, autographed pictures, the store also offers Gift Certificates.
GIFTS OF THE SILVER SCREEN AND STAGE CURTAIN
Channelside Sony Digital Cinemas, Channelside Bay Plaza (Upper Level)
Movie Pass Sales.
David A. Straz Center, 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place
Gift Certificates or buy specific tickets for any performance scheduled in the Straz's theaters. Gift shop at the Straz offers theater related souvenirs, CDs from Broadway musicals, and much more. Look for Straz at the December 2nd Friday Downtown Market!
Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin Street
Gift certificates available. December 20th is the Cool Santa Film Festival. Reserve on-line. Basic membership: $50.00; add $50.00 more for Balcony Club events for Young Professionals.
Stageworks Theater, 1120 E. Kennedy Boulevard
Purchase tickets to any upcoming play in the theater's beautiful new home. You can also pick up the season flex pass.
GIFTS THAT PAMPER
201 W. Twiggs Salon at 201 Twiggs
Gift Certificates for all spa services, including facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and threading. Events and special packages. Ask for Marina, facial expert.
Ahead Salon, 110 E. Madison
Gift Certificates for all hair services for women, men and children. Lynn Andrew, stylist with 25 years experience. Redkin and Paul Mitchell Hair Products for sale.
Elements Salon, 416 E. Madison
Gift certificates available for all hair and waxing salon services. Owner is one of the Tampa Bay area's top hair color experts. Tec Italy, PureOlogy, Phyto Organics, and L'Oréal Professional products available.
Priority One, 501 E. Kennedy
Gift certificates available for hair and nail services by Fina.
GIFTS TO WEAR
(not including finds in hotels and museums)
Del Sol Apparel and Accessories, Channelside Bay Plaza
Everything in store changes color in the sun (Amazing!), including all clothing for men and women, sunglasses, hair accessories, nail polish, purses.
Designing Eyes, 200 N. Tampa Street (shares space with Toni Licata, O.D.)
Look sharp in medium to high-end brands of eyeglass frames and sunglasses priced from $75.00 to $1,200.00, including True Religion, Theo, Oliver Peoples, Chrome Hearts, Gold & Wood, and the first electronic focusing eyewear: emPower!®. Gift Certificates Available.
Phat Shack Boutique, 615 Channelside Drive
Men's and Women's modern designer clothing and footwear. Open later in the afternoon, into late evening.
Surf Down Under, Channelside Bay Plaza
Designer sportswear, coordinates and outerwear, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, Oakley and Ray-Ban sunglasses, very cute kids wear, sandals, wide variety of Tom's shoes and more.
Greiner's Fine Clothing, 117 E. Whiting Street
For Men: Fine tailored clothing, sportswear, and footwear. Coppley, Jack Victor, Samuelsson suiting; Alberto Jeans, Bill's Khakis, and Bugatchi Uomo sportswear; Alden, Allen Edmonds, Martin Dingman, Santoni footwear. Great Selection of holiday neckwear.
GIFTS FROM WRITERS
Old Tampa Book Company, Inc., 507 N. Tampa Street.
Assortment of rare, antique and used books on virtually every subject. Look for Floridiana History Section too.
The University of Tampa Book Store, 200 Poe Parkway (located on UT Campus)
Find just about all you'll need for that UT Alum on your list. Also, a fine assortment of books and interesting greeting cards.
YES, VIRGINIA,
THERE REALLY IS A FREE LUNCH
A LIST OF RESTAURANTS OFFERING
GIFT CERTIFICATES
A gift meal is also a night off from the kitchen, stocking stuffer treat, or part of night of hockey or theater package gift
Ashley Street Grill , 200 N. Ashley Drive
Bamboozles, 516 N. Tampa Street
Bruegger's, 501 E. Kennedy Boulevard (Purchase $25 or more, $5 free bakery bucks!)
Café Dufrain, 707 Harbour Post Drive
Café European, 113 Hyde Park Avenue
Cafe Hey, 1540 N. Franklin Street
Café Perera, 601 N. Morgan Street
Cold Stone Creamery, Channelside Bay Plaza
First Watch Restaurant, 520 Tampa Street
Five Guys Burgers & Fries ,777 N. Ashley Drive
Fly Bar, 1202 N. Franklin Avenue
Four Green Fields, 205 W. Platt Street
Frankie's the Gourmet of Fast Food, 909 W. Kennedy Boulevard
Fresh, 507 N. Franklin Street
Gilligan's Hideaway, 202 N. Morgan Street
Hattricks, 107 S. Franklin Street
Hooters, Channelside Bay Plaza
Il Terrazo, Marriott Channelside (Purchase gift cards in Hotel gift shop)
Indigo Trading Company, 514 N. Franklin Street
International Café, 601 E. Twiggs Street
Jackson Street Bistro, 401 E. Jackson Street
Jerk Hut Downtown Café, 207 E. Twiggs Avenue
Jimmy John's, 514 N. Franklin Street
L'Eden, 500 N. Tampa Street
LIT Cigar Bar, Channelside Bay Plaza
Lonnies, 513 E. Jackson Street
Maestro's Restaurant, Straz Center (Purchase through Straz Center Gift Card Program)
Malio's Prime Steak House
Metro (The), 511 N. Franklin Street
Mise en Place 442 W. Kennedy Boulevard
Moxies, 514 N. Tampa Street
Oishi Japanese Steakhouse, Channelside Bay Plaza 228-9202
Ole Style Deli, 110 E. Madison Street
Original Grill Station, 508 N. Franklin Street
Paninoteca Mediterranean Café, 519 N. Franklin Street
Pizza Fusion, 777 North Ashley Drive, #C
Pizza Hut, 614 W. Platt Street
Pizzaiolo Bavaro, 514 N. Franklin Street
Precinct Pizza 615 Channelside Bay Plaza
Quiznos, 302 E. Kennedy Boulevared
Rojo Taco, 309 E. Twiggs Street
Samaria Café, 501 SNorth Tampa Street
Spain Restaurant & Toma Bar, 513 Tampa Street
Starbucks Coffee, 513 South Florida Avenue
Stumps Summer Club, Channelside Bay Plaza
Sumos Thai Café, 301 E. Twiggs Street
Taps Wine & Beer Merchants, 777 North Ashley Drive
Taverna Opa. 615 Channelside Drive
Thai Thani Restaurant, Channelside Bay Plaza
That's Amore Restaurant, 700 Harbour Post Drive
The Loading Dock, 100 E. Madison Street
The Metro, 511 N. Franklin Street
The Rack Suishi Bar & Billiards Lounge, 1809 West Platt Street
Tinatapas, Channelside Bay Plaza
Trolley's American Café (Inside Embassy Suites Hotel)
Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 200 N. Tampa Street
Urban Cantina, 200 E. Madison Street
Water Works , (Howard Johnson Plaza)
Wet Willies, Channelside Bay Plaza
Yacht Starship Dining Cruises, 603 Channelside Drive
Zudar's Deli, 201 W. Platt