Suddenly, a gayborhood. That’s the way it felt when homo-centric restaurants, bars and shops started multiplying in the west end of Ybor City faster than you can say “Fabulous!” Streetcar Charlie’s. G. Bar. Spurs. The Honey Pot. Gallery Live. The gay-friendly buzz can be directly attributed to the leadership of Carrie West and Mark Bias, who moved their MC Film Fest shop to Ybor last year and brought with them a collaborative attitude that has created new marketing opportunities and a broadened clientele for Ybor businesses both gay and straight. As co-founders of the GaYbor District Coalition, Bias and West helped pull together a cross-section of Ybor institutions and newcomers (113 members last count) who are realizing the benefits that can come with an influx of gays and lesbians. (Hillsborough County Commissioners, take note.)
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