Shopping For Holiday Gifts At The Airport Is Not As Tacky As It Sounds

TAMPA, FL — It's not as tacky as it sounds. More than a few hurried travelers have picked up last-minute holiday gifts for family and friends at the airport.

Today, Tampa International Airport offers much more than the run-of-the-mill Florida T-shirts and kitschy seashell souvenirs that once dominated airport gift shops.

• Bourbon and Boweties, a small business located in Tampa Bay known for its stunning jewelry creations, calls the Tampa International Airport home. Find Bourbon and Boweties in The Shoppes at Bayshore located in the Main Terminal.
• Seventh Avenue Apothecary features hand-poured soy wax candles and Tampa- and pirate-themed gift sets. It also located in The Shoppes at Bayshore located in the Main Terminal.
• Humbadorables By Susan are handbags created by local artist Susan Jordan from upcycled cigar boxes from Tampa cigar factories, so they're steeped in Tampa history. Find them at The Shoppes at Bayshore.

• Whether you're traveling elsewhere or looking for a gift for a friend or family member living in Champa Bay, you can't go wrong at the Tampa Bay Sports shop featuring authentic licensed apparel from the Super Bowl-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning, the World Series contenders, the Tampa Bay Rays along with items from Florida State University, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida.
• Did you know Sara Blakely, founder of the widely popular Spanx undergarments, likes right here in Tampa Bay? There's a Spanx shop right inside the airport.

While you're shopping, take a break and visit these locations for a taste of Tampa's Cuban food, a craft beer or fresh-roasted coffees from home-grown roasters Naviera Coffee Mills, Kahwa and Buddy Brew.

• Native-inspired food fresh from Florida is Ulele’s specialty. Stop in for burgers, chicken and Ulele Spring Brewery’s craft beers and cocktails, located in Airside C.
• Enjoy a pub-style menu as well as handcrafted beer created with local ingredients at Cigar City Brewing located in Airside C. Established in 2009 in Tampa Bay, Cigar City Brewing is the only place in the country where beer is brewed on site at the airport.
• Goody Goody Burger is a Tampa favorite, founded in 1925. It serves up hamburgers, fries, milkshakes and pies. The POX burger is a classic favorite with onions, pickles and “secret sauce” and can be found in Airside C.
• If you’re looking for authentic Greek cuisine, Louis Pappas hits the spot. It features the Louis Pappas Famous Greek Salad with potato salad at the bottom, a 90-year local tradition. Louis Pappas can also be found in Airside C.
• The Café by Mise en Place is a spinoff of the staple Tampa restaurant, Mise en Place. It features menu items both intricate and simple, along with a tea and cocktail bar with an endless wine selection. Find The Cafe by Mise en Place in Airside F.
• The Columbia Café, a sister to the Original Columbia restaurant in Historic Ybor City, is a traveler-favorite featuring authentic Spanish/Cuban flavors of Tampa from centuries' old recipes including the Original Tampa Cuban Sandwich and the famous “1905” Salad. It is located in Airside E.
• Cafe con Leche offers an assortment of coffee and pastries, including a variety of flavorful coffees roasted in Tampa by Naviera Coffee Mills, Florida’s oldest roaster. It is located in Airside C.
• Kahwa Coffee, established in the Tampa Bay area in 2006, has become the largest independent coffee roaster in the state of Florida. Try the coffee blends in The Shoppes at Bayshore located in the Main Terminal.
• Buddy Brew coffee offers fresh-brewed and roasted coffee and pastries. Established locally in Tampa Bay, Buddy Brew coffee can be found in Airside F.
• TeBella, a local tea company established in Tampa Bay, features hand-blended craft teas available at The Shoppes at Bayshore located in the Main Terminal.