Historical article published in July 2013 about retailer openings and proposed expansion in Tampa Bay. Store locations, development proposals, subsidies, leadership references, and market observations reflect the original article and have not been updated.

Retailer Openings and Expansion Plans Reported in 2013

The original article described retail leasing costs as having fallen enough to renew interest in Tampa among major retailers. Examples included:

• H&M: The clothing retailer opened its second Tampa store at Westshore Mall the previous year.
• The Container Store: A 25,000-square-foot store opened that year at Westshore Boulevard and Spruce Street, across from International Mall.
• West Elm: The retailer announced plans to open in Hyde Park, moving into the Williams-Sonoma store owned by the same company.
• Bass Pro Shops: After considering Tampa for several years, the retailer appeared closer to coming to East Tampa / Brandon. Hillsborough County had voted earlier that year to approve a $6 million subsidy.
• Trader Joe’s: The specialty grocer moved closer to opening its first Tampa Bay-area store.

Regional Business Momentum

Times business columnist Robert Trigaux described the concentration of business activity:

“Call it karma, pent-up economic demand, recruiting talent or sheer hard work, it’s been a long, long time since Tampa Bay’s landed such a concentration of diverse business wins offering quality higher-wage job opportunities, international travel and trade reach, plus the likely arrival of some of the best known retail brands in the country.”

He continued:

“Aside from an improving economy, new economic development blood is no doubt a factor in Tampa Bay’s recent renaissance of new businesses. Tampa International’s Joe Lopano, Tampa/Hillsborough EDC’s Homans, the Port of Tampa Port director Paul Anderson, Visit Tampa Bay’s just arrived Santiago Corrada are all part of a refreshed team pushing for new business momentum to the area.

It’s working.

Yes, in this round of economic wins, most are landing in Tampa and Hillsborough County. Other wins will appear in more congested Pinellas, and more rural Pasco and Hernando. But clearly, the latest signs of a big business driver going forward goes to Tampa and surrounding Hillsborough.”

The original article viewed these developments as positive news for business and development over the following few years.