The Wicked Pour, a self-serve taproom born in Pasco County, signs lease for downtown Tampa location
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jan 25, 2021

A self-serve taproom that launched in Pasco County in late 2020 has signed a deal for a second location in downtown Tampa.

The Wicked Pour has signed a lease for 1,000 square feet on the street level of the new Hyatt House/Hyatt Place Tampa Downtown, which is set to open in the coming months at 405 E. Kennedy Blvd. The taproom, which will include a large patio area, will be next door to Starbucks along East Jackson Street.

Paul Fischetti, managing director with Colliers International Tampa Bay, represented The Wicked Pour in the lease transaction. Shelia Suhar, an associate with Hybridge Commercial Real Estate, represented New Orleans-based HRI Inc., the hotel developer.

Craig Tobey, proprietor of The Wicked Pour, said he had the idea of a community-centric taproom for years, as he and his wife were big fans of visiting different craft breweries. He sees The Wicked Pour as a way to showcase local brewers and chefs. His first location in Odessa frequently hosts food trucks; while that won't be possible downtown, he said he will have charcuterie, and patrons will be able to order food in from other establishments.

He hopes to open in April and anticipates a startup investment of around $500,000.

"It’s not the typical industrial feel of every bar," Tobey said. "There’s not brick and rusty metal. We didn’t want it to be like a nightclub; it's fun, relaxing, inviting."

The first location of The Wicked Pour has only been about four months; Tobey said he wasn't planning to expand so quickly but was approached about the location. The Odessa taproom has already outgrown its space and is moving to a larger storefront within its current plaza.

Tobey has a physical therapy degree and has had several other small business ventures before opening The Wicked Pour, including a kayak shop, and currently sells orthopedic devices.

Despite the name Wicked Pour, Tobey said he has no real ties to the Boston area; his family is from Tarpon Springs.

"We really like the Northeast and the vibe of it," he said. "It described what we wanted to do, so we landed on The Wicked Pour."

The Tampa location will feature 26 taps. The craft beer selection frequently changes, and it also offers wine on tap.

"The craft industry — I really like the cooperation within the industry," he said, "and how well everyone works together."