But 22 South now has plans to reopen with the help of local investors.
In a phone call to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, Callaloo Group partner Mario Farias said initial plans to permanently close have changed and that the food hall will remain open. He added that 10 investors came forward and are helping reopen 22 South Food Hall
In its Facebook post last week, the food hall—located at 642 22nd St. S—cited the tragic death of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player and local businessman Vincent Jackson as a catalyst for the closure.
“We’d like to thank our loyal customers and supporters who saw our vision in creating opportunities in our community and embraced it,” 22 South wrote. “We all learned through this how fragile life is and how much effect we have on each other.”
Allison Gorrell, a spokesperson for Jackson’s trust, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that “While we’re saddened to learn that 22 South decided to cease operations, neither Vincent Jackson’s survivors or trust had any involvement in the organization’s decision to close. We wish all parties the best and encourage the community to continue their support for the independent restaurateurs that made this establishment great.”
CL will add a reopening date and list investors as soon as the information becomes available. This is a developing story.
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This article appears in Jul 29 – Aug 4, 2021.