This episode offers an intimate look into Joseph’s family, following his immigrant grandfather’s life in Tampa Bay, Florida’s “Cigar City” at the turn of the last century.

He explores Ybor City, visits the Cuban Club, talks to relatives, learns how to roll cigars and constructs a Cuban sandwich. The unexpected cherry on this Cuban rum cake is joining the parade of pirates during Tampa Bay’s annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival.

Ybor City

Ybor City, Tampa Bay, Florida

One of Joseph’s first stops is Ybor City, the historic home of cigar factories. This industry town was built by Cuban, Spanish, and German immigrants, and proudly preserves its Cuban heritage today. Joseph walks the streets that his grandfather strolled more than a century ago, as his grandfather immigrated from Cuba to this part of Tampa Bay.

Parque

José Martí

Tampa Bay, Florida

Exploring the city’s Cuban history, Joseph walks through the Park of the Friends of José Martí, who was considered a national hero in Cuba for his role in liberating the country from Spain. Joseph discovers that Martí gave one of his most famous speeches here, before 3,000 Cuban immigrants. He spots one of the chickens wandering the park, an homage to Ybor City’s early days.

Homes of

Ybor City

Factory

Workers

Ybor City, Tampa Bay, Florida

Ybor City offered factory workers something they couldn’t get in other places — their own house. Joseph discovers that hundreds of this kind of housing were built. He visits one of the few homes preserved today as a museum. Joseph marvels at how his own grandparents might have lived in one of these, when his grandfather worked at El Sidelo Cigars.

Joseph learns from Ybor Walking Tours guide Max Herman that Ybor City was unique for its social clubs and mutual aid societies, which were some of the first immigrant aid programs of its kind in the country. The Circulo Cubano was a gathering places for those of Cuban descent. Joseph’s own grandfather was a founder of this club, where immigrants could get support, partake in Cuban traditions of the stage at the lavish theater, and cut a rug at a dance in one of the ballrooms.

J.C. Newman

Cigar Company

Tampa Bay, Florida

Ybor City had more than 200 cigar factories in its heyday. Joseph visits the last working factory today, the J.C. Newman Cigar Company. He speaks with its owner, Drew Newman, the fourth generation in the family that founded the factory. They continue to roll cigars and make cigar boxes the traditional way. Joseph tries rolling a cigar, which involves the careful blending of different tobacco leaves.

West

Tampa Bay

West Tampa Bay was where much of the Cuban population historically lived in the city. Exploring the area, Joseph strolls by some of the 25 cigar factory buildings that still stand. The decorated brick façades have since been transformed into schools, offices, and residences.

Pirate Water

Taxi

Tampa Bay, Florida

While Florida is surrounded by the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, the city also rubs shoulders with the Hillsborough River. People jog, bike, and stroll along its Tampa Bay Riverwalk. Joseph sets sail with Pirate Water Taxi captain, T.J. Couch, Jr., who talks about the constant buzz of activity that fills the park.

Tampa Bay

Riverwalk

While on his Pirate Water Taxi cruise, Joseph enjoys front seat views of the Tampa Bay Riverwalk, beloved by locals for its easy access to the riverfront. Joseph learns that it’s busy at any given time, and houses contemporary art like the Andante glass panels.

Boulon

Tampa Bay, Florida

Joseph gets a taste of Tampa Bay’s fine cuisine at Boulon Brasserie, a French Bistro style restaurant with Florida favorites. Joseph finds that the best way to discover a chef’s talents is to sample a bit of everything from their menu, so he tries their seafood selection brimming with shrimp,

crab, and oysters.

TECO Tampa

Bay Streetcar

Joseph follows in his grandfather’s footsteps again by riding one of the cable cars that have run since 1892. This TECO Tampa Bay Streetcar line connects Centennial Park in Ybor City to the downtown area. Rides are free on this car, where the original style of colorful interiors and charming wooden seats have been maintained.

Columbia Restaurant

Tampa Bay, Florida

Joseph visits Columbia Restaurant, the home of the Tampa Bay version of the famous Cuban sandwich. Established over a century ago in 1905, Joseph speaks with fifth generation restaurant owner Andrea Gonzmart about what the sandwich represents to them, and tries making one himself. Joseph learns that the bread they use comes from another iconic Tampa Bay destination, La Segunda Bakery.

Business Inquiries

Ron Hanks

Ron@JosephRosendo.com