Mikey's Cafe & Bakery Opening Soon in Old Seminole Heights

Michelle DeMicco will soon trade in one historic building for another, and a slightly shorter commute, when she moves her from the old Pickford's Sundries at 2606 W Hillsborough Ave., to a 1926 storefront at 6114 N Central Ave. 

DeMicco, who grew up in Seminole Heights and currently lives in the neighborhood with her three children, said the opening date is tentatively set for April 1. 

"The (Old Seminole Heights) Home Tour is that day," DeMicco said of the annual event that will base a few blocks south at the "Even if we're not open in full capacity, we'll be open to do samplings.” 

DeMicco first set up shop in Seminole Heights in early 2007 when she and her then-husband Victor DeMicco opened Custom Creations and Events at 6420 N Central Ave. From there they offered full service event and wedding production. Later that year Michelle DeMicco decided to get back to her baking and food service roots, so she decided to add a cafe and bakery element to the business and pared down the event planning aspects. 

DeMicco moved the business to its current location, inside the old Pickford's Sundries building on Hillsborough Avenue, and changed the name to Mikey's Cafe-Bakery. Mikey happens to be DeMicco's nickname.

Over time DeMicco realized that the 3,200 square foot Pickford's building is more space than she wants, hence the move to the 1,000 square foot storefront at Central and Hanna avenues. 

Despite the downsizing, DeMicco said Mikey's will continue in the same format - a cafe that serves gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads — and features hand-pulled sodas from the fountain with dozens of flavor syrups to choose from — plus a dessert bakery that accommodates custom orders. DeMicco said everything from the cafe and bakery menus, including fountain sodas, will be offered at the new location.

The historic ambiance afforded by Pickford's, a former drugstore and diner that served as a neighborhood landmark from 1950 to 1998, is something DeMicco plans to continue in the 1926 building on Central Avenue. There'll be seating for 20 inside, along with another 16 to 20 outside.

This 2009 Tampa Bay Times story relates some of the Pickford's building history. 

DeMicco said her last day of business at Pickford's will be March 31.