Kingsford Fire Grille has closed at WestShore Plaza in Tampa
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Feb 24, 2022

A charcoal grill-themed restaurant that opened at WestShore Plaza in late 2021 has already closed.

The mall's general manager confirmed the restaurant's closure in a statement to the Tampa Bay Business Journal on Thursday. It's not known when Kingsford Fire Grille closed; it officially opened Oct. 4, according to the restaurant's Facebook page.

"As for the closing of Kingsford Fire Grille, it provides an opportunity to bring a new dining destination to WestShore Plaza. Our leasing team is already in discussions with a new restaurant and we will announce plans when we are able,” Larry Scollo, general manager of WestShore Plaza, said.

Kingsford leaves behind a 7,900-square-foot storefront on the ground floor of the JCPenney parking garage. Few casual dining chains — the type of restaurants that seek out real estate of that size — are looking for new sites. The vast majority of restaurateurs looking for real estate in the Tampa Bay market are looking for spaces of 5,000 square feet or smaller.

The ownership of Kingsford Fire Grille had a licensing agreement with charcoal grill maker Kingsford. The group took over the former Mitchell's Fish Market space at the mall in late 2020, with plans to invest at least $600,000 in the space.

The restaurant served charcoal-grilled steaks, burgers, barbecue and charcoal-infused drinks.

Kingsford's former space is not the only real estate in transition at WestShore Plaza. The mall's ownership, Washington Prime Group, is planning to redevelop Sears' former real estate and the surrounding surface parking lot, including Seasons 52 and the Bank of America branch at Westshore and Kennedy boulevards. The redevelopment will add residential units, office space and more to the property.