June 2019

June is World Sponge Month and Tarpon Springs is the Sponge Capital of the World

As the Sponge Capital of the World, Tarpon Springs, Florida is home to several varieties and shapes and sizes of sponges harvested from off the eastern Gulf of Mexico coast reefs and sea bottom. Although they look like plants, sponge are really animals! June is World Sponge Month and what is a celebration of sponges without a ode to Tarpon Springs' long standing sponge industry. Let’s be fair, this is an ode not just for the more than 100 year history of Tarpon's sponge industry, but also for the centuries sponges have been used for many practical applications. View this...

Greek Food

Glyká Mou: 8 Unique Tampa Bay Greek Bakery Desserts to Try Right Now

Mati Donuts Hole in One Donuts in Tarpon Springs whipped up these Mati (evil eye) donuts for a birthday party. Head into the shop and ask about them! These need to be tried by everyone. Hole In One Donuts is located at 39024 US Hwy 19 N, Tarpon Springs View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Banther (@davidbanther) on Jun 21, 2019 at 6:39am PDT Baklava Tiramisu Along the busy path of the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks you'll find that the crowds aren't too crazy at the Taste of Greece, but its menu is nearly identical to...

Greek Business

Locally-Owned Hellenic Aesthetic Brings the Ethos of Summers Spent in Greece to Tampa Bay

We asked locally-owned Hellenic Aesthetic to share its story with us as part of our series showcasing Greek business owners in Tampa Bay. Thank you to founder Marianthi Vlachos for telling us all about her lifestyle boutique which celebrates Greek culture of the past and present. Out of what passion did your expertise in cultural expression through Greek products form? I received my bachelor’s degree in Art History in 2013. Throughout the process of earning my degree I became more intimately acquainted with Greek art and objects of both antiquity and the Byzantine periods. This exposure to historical artifacts opened my...