La Tropicana
Over the years, this Cuban café, established in 1963, welcomed notable customers such as Presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, along with several Florida governors. Located in Tampa’s historic Ybor City neighborhood, La Tropicana was a hub for both the famous and everyday patrons. Explaining the decision to close, owner Gio Peña told the *Tampa Bay Times*, “I’d say 80 percent of my regular customers are older people. They are afraid to come out.” He added, “We were doing well. Business was steady. And then came COVID.”
La Tropicana
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