RNC May Boost Business for Safety Harbor Man

Foot traffic around the Tampa Convention Center is starting to pick up now that Tropical Storm Isaac is moving further west than originally expected, and South Tampa business owner Efetechios Xanthoudakis is seizing the opportunity.

The 51-year-old owner of Samaria Café in downtown Tampa stood on the busy corner of Kennedy Boulevard and Tampa Street handing paper menus to passersby.

“At this moment we’re just waiting for the business to come,” said Xanthoudakis who, like other downtown business owners, has been preparing for weeks for a boom in business with the start of the Republican National Convention Monday.

The RNC schedule was modified this week in anticipation of severe weather associated with Tropical Storm Isaac, but the storm had barely any impact on downtown Tampa Monday. Moderate gusts of wind and light rain were the only signs of tropical disturbance.

Once the RNC hits its stride, Xanthoudakis expects to do five times as much business as he would on a normal weekday. “We’re happy to welcome the Republican Convention and all of the supporters,” he said.

The Samaria Café, located at 502 N. Tampa St. in downtown Tampa, has been open for four years and is best known for its all-day breakfast menu and Greek fare. Xanthoudakis is originally from the island of Crete off the coast of Greece, but he’s lived in Safety Harbor for 15 years.

Xanthoudakis expects the RNC to be nothing but good for his business, “I have no fear for protestors. No fear of anything,” he said. “We feel very secure.”