The next up and coming neighborhood in Tampa is clearly Tampa Heights. Between Armature Works and the Hall on Franklin, there will be no shortage of food, fun and innovation in the area. A group of shuffleboard enthusiasts hope to add additional allure to the Heights.
Get ready to shuffle in the Heights
Danielle O’Connor and Jennifer Montgomery are the brains behind Shuffle The Heights — a shuffleboard focused bar/restaurant featuring four indoor courts and three outdoor courts at 2612 North Tampa Street. The organizers note a variety of other fun games will be available to enjoy inside. Pending city approval, the concept should be open before the end of 2017.
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Both O’Connor and Montgomery are members of the historic St. Pete Shuffleboard Club, but reside in Seminole Heights. Their love of the area’s local restaurants and bars — there’s nothing like a Friday evening at The Independent — drove them to add something more.
Concept was born from a love of the community and the game
When they couldn’t find space in Seminole Heights for the Shuffleboard concept, they set their sights on Tampa Heights. “We also love our community and want to be active members while pursuing the dream of entrepreneurship and not having to answer to anyone but ourselves,” added Montgomery and O’Connor. It’s this entrepreneurial spirit that has driven Tampa’s small business and foodie renaissance.
We want to show our children that as independent women we can start a business on our own and that persistence pays! If you will it, it is no dream.
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The space will have four indoor courts spread across a 4,700 SF area, along with table top shuffleboard. Outside, there will be a 4,000 SF yard with bocce courts and a stage for live music. “There may or may not be a banana stand,” notes O’Connor.
Space for casual games and league night action
Once open, casual visitors are of course invited to hone their skills on the shuffleboard courts. Similar to St. Pete Shuffle, this concept will also offer league nights for teams ready to showoff their skills. Shuffle The Heights will be open Monday through Thursday, from 4pm-11pm; Friday from 4pm-1am; Saturday from noon-1am; and Sunday from noon-9pm.
On June 22, the minds behind Shuffle The Heights will go before City Council for their wetzoning and change of use hearing. The public is invited to to join them and show support for the concept. If all goes according to plan, O’Connor and Montgomery will begin the buildout 6-8 weeks after the hearing with hopes of opening by November/December of 2017.
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