Have you been? It’s amazing. Everything you’d hope for in a student union-cum-private club. All dark wood panels, marble floors, skylight-lit atrium and bathrooms. Coffee and tea within arm’s reach of the cushy leather seating. Bookstore with all the best titles (and periodicals, of course). Monocle is a favorite of mine. It’s the latest spot to see and be seen, and with no wifi, productivity is low and throwback style is high. Are you sold?
The Oxford Exchange is the latest addition to the modern, hip Tampa map. Developed on the historic triangle between Kennedy, Grand Central, and Hyde Park, the building is almost entirely new inside, but with an original facade, with entrances on both ends. The flurry of activity under the wrought iron marquee joins the boxing gym and famed Mise en Place restaurant on that block, and is directly across from UT (smart!). Finally…a mini commercial strip is forming (and Amscot never counted!). This downtown ‘fringe’ area has needed a boost, and this is it.
Aside from design flourishes, which are great alone, the bookstore has a great selection, the store is faaaabulously curated, and the restaurant is perfection for lazy brunches, power lunches, and cups of tea in the afternoon alone, with a magazine and journal.
If you’d like to leave Tampa for a few minutes, and experience something a bit more worldly, give it a go. You won’t be disappointed. Just don’t expect it to be cheap. Nothing good ever is.
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