Write Around Tampa

Urban Grounds

150 E Tarpon Ave

Tarpon Springs

This little gem is located in the heart of colorful, crafty, arty Tarpon Springs.

Quality and pricing of food and drink:
Lots of variety here, both food and drink. Healthy options, too, although I got the key lime cup. At a reasonable $4, it’s the right amount of sweet and tart; no cloying flavors here. The graham cracker bottom is also dense, not the gritty, sugary bottom on most key lime desserts. This is a coffee shop you could write in frequently and not break the bank.

Are there enough outlets?
I actually didn’t see any. There’s an upstairs area; there may be some up there. But the place is so perfect you won’t mind. Just come fully charged.

How’s the wifi?
No password, but you have to sign up for promo emails.

Will my muse come out?
Yes. The atmosphere is cozy/worky, and other people on laptops abound. The clanking of glasses and wands frothing add to the ambience. Plus no distracting background music so she can really get inside your head.

How long can I park it?
Open to close, 7-5 all days except Sunday, 10-2. (There are free parking lots all over town if you can get a spot.) I sank the minute my butt hit the chair, soft and pillowy, perfect for a sit and stay. The table is sturdy and close to the food/drink counter if I need to refresh. Ample seating both indoor and out, but I would imagine it fills up quick. This place is a hotspot.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 laptops

Rachel Remick’s fiction and non-fiction stories have appeared in various magazines, among them Rosebud, Bluestem and ellipsis . . . literature and art. A frequent contributor to women’s magazine Sasee, her writing has also been published in several volumes of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books. She lives in Tampa, Florida.