Shop Gandy! Encourages Holiday Shopping Along Gandy Boulevard

TAMPA, FL — In the hopes of increasing traffic to Gandy Boulevard businesses during the holiday season, the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority and the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce have launched the Shop Gandy! small business support campaign.

In addition to being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, businesses along Gandy Boulevard have had to endure the impact of construction as the expressway authority continues its Lee Roy Selmon extension project.

The campaign encourages residents to shop local for their holiday purchases at the hundreds of businesses along Gandy Boulevard.

Shoppers can stock up on holiday beverages from Fine Wine & Spirits or pamper someone special with a gift certificate for manis and pedis from Daba Nails or a membership to the boutique gym, Westshore Fitness.

They're also encouraging shoppers to purchase gift cards as stocking stuffers from Applebees, Mr. & Mrs. Crab, 81Bay Brewing Company and Outback Carabbas Express.

Dalton Dental is offering a $169 whitening special all month long and Tampa Laundry Company is providing home pick-up services.

“Now more than ever with the impacts of COVID-19, our local business community needs our support. Gandy Boulevard is one of South Tampa’s main hubs of commerce with hundreds of small- and medium-sized businesses that are dedicated to providing goods and services to our community,” said Kelly Flannery, president and CEO of the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

“As one of the founding partners of the Shop Gandy! business support campaign, we are committed to helping these businesses by encouraging local shoppers to #ShopGandy and #ShopLocal at businesses along the Gandy corridor for all of their holiday shopping needs," Flannery said.

"This has been a hard year for our local businesses and, as a small business owner, I understand the stress the pandemic has brought to industries all over Tampa Bay," said Vince Cassidy, chairman of the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority.

"Shop Gandy! is a reminder to support local and spend your holiday dollars at businesses that need your support during the Selmon Extension construction and also during a hard year for retailers," Cassidy said.

The Shop Gandy! business support campaign was developed to help market and promote Gandy corridor businesses before, during and after the construction of the Selmon Extension roadway project in partnership with the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority.

Shoppers can visit the Shop Gandy! Business Directory for a complete list of businesses and the Shop Gandy! website for holiday gift ideas.