The Shops at Wiregrass, New Tampa’s Downtown

My family and I moved to the New Tampa area three years ago from the Midwest. Moving 1,000-plus miles from family and “home” was a daunting task. 

Without a doubt I can say that my family and I are happy with our decision to make the New Tampa area our home. 

Let me be clear, I am not suggesting that our move or our integration into the community was without some level of stress, bumps and aggravation. However, we were able to quickly make new friends, are pleased with the local public schools and we embrace the vibrancy and change that comes along with living in a growing community.

As much as we enjoy New Tampa, we do — or should I say DID — miss one element of our family life prior to our move. 

We miss having a great downtown that was just minutes away from our home. 

Prior to our move, we lived in a smaller town, very small when compared to the greater Tampa area. As residents of that town we did not have local access to professional sports teams, big time college athletics, national touring concerts, amusement parks etc., like we do here in Tampa. What we did have was a thriving, beautiful, safe and vibrant downtown.

Our downtown was second to none and is the envy of numerous larger cities. It hosted many community events, parades and was full of shops, restaurants and night spots. Did I mention the penny candy and ice cream shops? It had a little something for everyone to enjoy.  More weekends than not, my family and I spent some part of our day or night downtown.   

Pardon my use of a corny expression, but that downtown area was the glue that held the fabric of that town together. The shared experience of attending events downtown helped build and reinforce a sense of community. Speaking of community, in my mind community is built and sustained by meeting and greeting your neighbors on a routine bases. As that downtown was the social hub of the community, you inevitably “bumped into” friends and neighbors; these unplanned exchanges kept you in touch and connected, meeting friends and neighbors downtown was the rule, not the exception.

This sense of community and connectedness was something that we sorely missed after our move.

Well, that has changed. Our HATS off to the Shops at Wiregrass Mall, our "new" downtown. 

Why am I complimenting the Wiregrass Mall and its management group? It’s because their efforts to schedule community events and activities at the Mall has created a place for the residents of the New Tampa to go, “bump into” each other and build a sense of community. 

I am sure that most of you who are reading this blog are familiar with the Shops at Wiregrass Mall, but have you taken the time to attend one of the many events and activities going on at the Mall? If not, I recommend you do.

The last few weekends are a prime example of what is occurring at our new Downtown.

My family and I walked over to the Mall on each of the last three Saturday mornings. During our trips, we have had the pleasure of attending the Fresh Market, a farmer’s market style event, a fantastic car show and the Suncoast Art Fest. 

Guess what? While at the Mall, we ran into friends and neighbors. Many of which we have not seen for a while because of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. We said hi, shared holiday stories, and the conversations were informal, real, filled with lots of laughs and were comfortable. 

Can I be bold and say that The Shops at Wiregrass has become more than a collection of shops and restaurants?  Okay, technically it is still a shopping mall,
but in my opinion it has become our new community center. Why do I have this opinion? Because my family and I are now making plans to go to the Mall, not to shop (I am sure the store owners and operators don’t want to read that) but to attend the events that the Mall is hosting.   

Again, hats off to the Shops at Wiregrass, you have built a great small town downtown!

I hope to soon see you and your family DOWNTOWN!

________

P.S.   A quick glance at the upcoming schedule lists a pet adoption event, the Fresh Market and The Taste of Tampa.