Stores, Malls or Markets in Tampa

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This shop/store appears to be inside an old movie theater in a less-traveled area of Tampa.

The store is packed with just about every conceiveable costume and accessory you can think of. From floor to ceiling and wall to wall, there is everything you can think of and much of it is categorized so for an example, all the pirate items and costumes are in one spot and all the make-up and props are located in another spot. Beads? How about dozens and dozens of all varieties.

They usually have a huge staff working (especially during costume holidays like Halloween or Gasparilla) and they are very knowledgable. Don't hesitate to ask for help in searching for something specific but in my case, it is just fun to walk throughout the entire store and see everything they have.

There must be 1,000's of items for sale and some costumes can be rented.

Be sure to call ahead to confirm their hours which change during certain holiday peak times and dates.

What to buy: Whether it is fake teeth or fake blood or a realistic pirate costume or space helmet, you can find it here. Look up and look down, look all around because if you do not find what you are looking for, it may be in another part of the store.

I found many Halloween props here like lighted plastic pumpkins and glow-in-the-dark skeletons plus some pirate-wench outfits and accessories.

They have eyeglasses and wigs, costumes of all sizes, shapes and colors, props to add to costumes, make-up items and party materials.

Beads are also a big item located at the front of the store.

What to pay: The authentic costumes are pricey and some accessories can be found cheaper elsewhere but then again, some are unique and only found here and reasonably priced.

All sorts most upscale - also has a variety of restaurants
Not a complete list: Bang and Olufsen, Learning Express Toys, Downtown Dogs, Brooks Brothers
Chicos, Crabtree & Evelyn, Black and White & Restoration Hardware

Regular Hours:
Monday - Saturday 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday 12 pm to 5 pm
Some stores and restaurants have extended hours.

There is a great little restaurant at the end of the street - The Wine and Cheese Exchange

What to buy: Hyde Park Village is located at Swann and Dakota Avenues, just minutes from downtown Tampa. The Village lies in the heart of the historic district of Hyde Park and is easily accessed by I-275, I-75, and Tampa's Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. The Village is just minutes from other area attractions too, including the Tampa Convention Center, The Florida Aquarium, and Ybor City. Parking is available free of charge in three covered parking garages.

What to pay: Ride the In Town Trolley to Hyde Park Village from downtown Tampa for only 50 cents.

Old Hyde Park village is an outdoor shoping area in the Hyde Park Area of Tampa. Contains a wide variety of upscale (Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren) shops, art galleries, outdoor cafes and restaurants, and entertainment (sunrise cinemas). It has a very European feel to it.

Also host a wide varitey of events such as a farmers market and jazz nights.

What to pay: Depends on the shop you go to.

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Ybor City Saturday Market is a small farmers market that is open every Saturday of the year in Ybor's Centennial Park. It's just a tiny market with a fraction of the vendors of the huge Tampa Bay Farmers Market in St. Pete. They do offer live music, fruits, veggies, soaps, crafts, clothing, and more. I think I even saw a fortune teller.

September - April: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
May - August: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Ybor Centennial Park is home to an art studio and "home" to a few homeless guys. There is a big statue on the north side of the park in honor of the immigrants who settled in Ybor. The park lies just across the street from quieter, more peaceful Ybor City State Park.

If you love Indian food Tampa has several large Indian grocery stores and numerous small ones in Tampa and most are located in the same area on Fowler Avenue. This area also has quite a few Indian clothing, nick knack stores and quite a few Indian Restaurants (there are also some great Vietnamese restaurants in this area too)

The two best grocery stores are:

1) "Patel Brothers" 1251 W Fowler Ave, Tampa - (813) 558-9090 (just East of the Rail Road tracks on corner of Fowler and I275 North)
2) House Of Spices" @ 2005 E Fowler Ave Tampa, FL 33612-5503 - opened December 2010 (less than a mile east on the same side of the street as Patel Brothers) in strip mall

this area is quite congested so keep your eyes open! Both of these stores are new and quite large

What to buy: What to buy (at a fraction of the price of regular grocery stores)...Spices (Traditional indian spices include: Garam Masala, turmeric, saffron, madras curry powder, cumin, coriander)...ginger paste (amazing...! ginger/garlic paste is excellent too), paneer (cheese...one of the few places you will find unless you make your own...), lentils (try the red lentils they are difficult to find in regular grocery stores), beans, rice...

There are also spice mixes for different dishes and frozen indian dishes...if you are new to Indian food try "Butter Chicken" (or murgh makhani) & Palak paneer (spinach and paneer) both of these dishes go over rice...if you don't want to cook rice you can put over couscous (grain that you only need to add boiling water too)

What to pay: Spices, rice and indian food at a fraction of the cost you will pay at a regular restaurant

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Farm Stores originated in Miami in 1935 and was named Land O' Sun Dairies, Inc. The Farm Stores drive thrus were created in 1957 as a convenient retail option for this dairy.

Today there are about 200 Farm Stores in Florida, most are located in former gas stations and other tiny storefronts with drive-thru lanes on both sides of the building. Just pull up, and the worker will greet you at your car window. Order your milk, cream, butter, ice cream, and other items, it will be brought to your car, you pay, and you're off! You'll never have to leave your car again!

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The Tampa Bay Farmers Market is not what you might expect of a farmers market. This is not a big collection of local growers with booths or tables in an outdoor setting. Rather this is more of a "farm store" or maybe just a little more than a fruit and vegetable stand. They have a wide selection of items all year around like tomatoes, onions, garlic, apples, melons, and cut flowers. They also offer seasonal specials like pumpkins at Halloween and poinsettias and wreaths around Christmas.

Open seven days a week: Mon-Sat 8am-7pm; Sun 8am-6pm

the federal government recently raised the tax on a pack of cigarettes to $1 to fund the SCHIP social wefare program. the state of florida just passed an additional $1 state tax which will go into effect july 1 st 2009. these federal and state taxes will raise the price of a pack of cigarettes in the state of florida to about $ 7 per pack. since the tampa seminole reservation is a tax exempt organization this will be the cheapest place to buy cigarettes in the state of florida.

What to buy: cigarettes

What to pay: approximately $ 30 a carton under retail.