Oxford Exchange owners envision rooftop Mexican spot Casa Cami as a social concept
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Mar 6, 2024

Allison Casper Adams can't say when she and her family first thought about opening a Mexican-inspired restaurant.

"My husband and I met at [Southern Methodist University] in Dallas, and both our daughters went to SMU," she said, "so we're constantly in Dallas and eating Mexican food, and it’s always been this fantasy, this dream, to have a Mexican restaurant. We've always tossed the idea around."

That longtime family banter has become Casa Cami, a rooftop bar and restaurant in The Current Hotel that will open March 19. Adams and her brother, Blake Casper, are co-owners of Tampa-based Caspers Co., which counts Oxford Commons Hospitality Co. among its brands. Caspers Co. was the largest McDonald's franchisee in Florida until 2022 when the siblings sold their stores to McDonald's corporate.

Oxford Commons is the parent company of Oxford Exchange, Stovall House and Predalina in Tampa and The Library in St. Petersburg. It is also behind the forthcoming reimagining of Mad Dogs and Englishmen, a South Tampa institution that will be reborn on the former Love's Artifacts Bar and Grill property later this year. Oxford Commons acquired The Current Hotel in late 2021 for $85 million.

The rooftop at The Current, Adams said, lends itself to Casa Cami, which is inspired by female artists from the Mexican peninsula. With sweeping views of the Tampa skyline, the waters of Tampa Bay and airplanes banking as they approach Tampa International Airport, the Caspers envisioned a social concept on the roof of The Current — a place where people might linger over chips, salsa and margaritas.

"People are going to be shocked by how beautiful that view is," Adams said. "It’s really special."

The views from The Current will be married with Oxford Commons' signature design-forward style. Oxford Design Studio, a sister company to Oxford Commons, designed the restaurant. The menu, designed by Oxford Commons culinary director Richard Anderson, includes a few winks to other Oxford Commons concepts, like a chicken paillard with a Mexican twist.

"It’s going to be exceptional food and an exceptional setting," Adams said. "I think we’re known for our décor by now; we spend a lot of time and a lot of money on interior design. But the views are going to really steal the show."