It looks like the nation is taking notice as Blind Tiger, Buddy Brew and Kahwa continue to expand their reach in Tampa Bay because a Northeast coffee chain wants in on Tampa Bay’s rich, bold caffeine scene.
Last December, CL reported that Maine-based coffee chain Aroma Joe’s was opening two Tampa Bay locations.
The first is supposed make its debut in Land O’Lakes—at 7016 Land O’Lakes Blvd.—later this month. The second is in Clearwater at an unknown location.
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But more than just two shops are apparently in the works.
The Tampa Bay Business Journal linked up with the Martin McKenna, co-founder Aroma Joe’s and store owner, who mentioned a rapid expansion that includes 50 new Bay area shops in the next 10-12 years.
Holy shit, that’s a lot of joe.
“The stores will range in size from 700-square-foot, drive-thru only locations to 2,000-square-foot, full coffee houses,” TBBJ. Will this expansion pose a problem for smaller local joints with cult followings like Bandit Coffee, Black Crow Coffee, and King State? Only time will tell.
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This article appears in Mar 5-12, 2020.
