Davidoff of Geneva Announces Flagship Store to Open at MetWest International

Davidoff of Geneva has announced the opening of a flagship store in its Tampa, Florida hometown. The company signed a 5,000 square foot lease at MetWest International in Tampa’s Westshore Business District. Kalyn Brandewie of Florida Retail Partners brokered the deal on behalf of the project’s owner while co-broker Mark Borysiewicz represented the tenant.

Davidoff of Geneva will cement its commitment to the Tampa Bay area with a new Davidoff of Geneva since 1911 store in late 2015. Situated in the MetWest International retail village the 5,000 square foot store will be the largest Davidoff of Geneva since 1911 store in the world. This will be the company’s first licensed boutique in the United States outside of Las Vegas, NV. Davidoff of Geneva USA will open the new location in partnership with Jeff & Tanya Borysiewicz, successful owners of Orlando based Corona Cigar Company. Jeff Borysiewicz is the president & founder of Corona Cigar Company, an Orlando based chain of premium cigar retail stores and bars, which has grown to become one of America’s leading Brick & Mortar retailers of premium cigars

To create a destination in the Cigar City, the new Davidoff of Geneva since 1911 will feature a completely humidified store filled with premium cigar retail space, multiple lounges both indoor and out, private lockers, as well as an elegant full service bar serving premium alcoholic beverages.

“Davidoff will be a wonderful complement to the world-class restaurants at MetWest International,” stated Florida Retail Partner Kalyn Brandewie. “Cigar aficionados will appreciate ending an evening of dining at Del Frisco’s Grille, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Kona Grille or Texas de Brazil with a nightcap & cigar at Davidoff’s.”

Jim Young, president of Davidoff of Geneva North America comments “We are delighted to open a new Davidoff of Geneva since 1911 store in our home market. We are particularly excited to do this in partnership with Jeff and Tanya who have been outstanding Davidoff partners for quite some time. They know how to provide consumers with a premium retail experience, they know our entire product portfolio, and they know our company.”

“We’re thrilled to expand our retail operations and to serve cigar enthusiasts in the Cigar City of Tampa. We look forward to creating the “Ultimate Cigar Experience” in a community with such a long history of cigar manufacturing and rich cigar culture,” says Jeff Borysiewicz, president of Corona Cigar Company. “It’s an honor to be partnering with Davidoff of Geneva, the global leader in premium cigars and luxury cigar stores. It’s exciting to be building upon the legacy that Zino Davidoff started over 100 years ago.”

About MetWest International

MetWest International is an award winning, mixed-use center being developed by MetLife. Located across from Tampa International Airport and International Plaza in the Westshore Business District, MetWest International includes One MetroCenter, MetWest One and MetWest Two. A third office building will be started as demand dictates. Four well-known restaurants, Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant, Kona Grill, Texas de Brazil and Del Frisco’s Grille located their first Tampa locations in the project’s retail village. When complete, the pedestrian-friendly, urban-oriented development will include:

• Nearly one million square feet of Class A office space
• 74,200 square foot retail village
• 260 room full-service upscale hotel
• 254 residential units

The project has received four Best of the Best NAIOP awards, including Outstanding Mixed-use Development, Outstanding Green Building/Project, Outstanding Office Building (MetWest One) and Outstanding Retail Building. Additionally, Taylor & Mathis was awarded Developer of the Year for their role in developing the mixed-use project. Taylor & Mathis serves as the development manager for the project and handles office leasing and management responsibilities. Florida Retail Partners handles the project’s retail leasing.

About Florida Retail Partners, an X Team Partner

Founded in 1997, the company’s focus is tenant and landlord representation, sales and leasing on Florida’s West Coast and Central Florida.

X Team is an international alliance of retail real estate specialists with offices located in major cities throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. X Team partners average more than 20 years of industry experience, with expertise in major markets worldwide, specializing in tenant, property and developer/landlord representation, workout services, property dispositions and retail investments. X Team services include transaction negotiation, portfolio analysis, lease valuations, acquisitions, and asset assessment and valuation. For more information, please visit www.floridaretailpartners.com

For Further Information:

www.metwestinternational.com