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THE SKINNY

• A Local Favorite is Reborn

• Time For a Reality Check

• Don’t Burn Down The House

• As The World Turns

Featured Story

Back For The First Time

New owner Juan Martinez is preserving Ybor Grille's traditions while bringing fresh energy to one of Southshore's favorite Cuban restaurants

When Juan Martinez purchased Ybor Grille on July 1, 2025, he wasn't just buying a restaurant. He was fulfilling a dream that had been years in the making.

Armed with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, a specialization in business management, and a master's degree in business, he always knew he wanted to own a business of his own. But before he ever sat in the owner's office, he spent more than 14 years learning the restaurant industry from the ground up. And that has made all the difference.

Those years taught him that restaurants aren't just about food, they're about people. That's one reason he was drawn to Ybor Grille, a restaurant that has been serving the Southshore community for more than 18 years. And in a community that values tradition, taking over a local favorite wasn't without its challenges.

One misconception he hears often is that people expected the restaurant to change dramatically under the new ownership. In reality, preserving what people already loved became one of his biggest priorities. The same chef still leads the kitchen, many of the signature recipes remain unchanged, and the focus has been on maintaining the restaurant's traditions while thoughtfully expanding the menu to offer more variety.

When you step inside now, it's brighter. More lively. There's an energy in the air that's normally associated with grand openings, not a restaurant with nearly two decades under its belt. But your favorites are still there. From the Palomilla Steak Sandwich and Devil Crab to the Grouper Supreme.

Today, his favorite part of owning Ybor Grille isn't running a business. It's becoming part of the community. To his credit, he's filled the calendar with events that bring people together. Car shows, wine tastings, and other gatherings where you're just as likely to run into neighbors as you are to make new friends.

It's a story that's easy to appreciate. A dream that started washing dishes and ended with the keys to one of Southshore's favorite neighborhood restaurants.

If you haven't visited Ybor Grille in a while, this might be the perfect excuse. You may recognize the recipes, but you'll also find a passionate owner who's working every day to make sure the next 18 years are even better than the first.

A Reality Check For Businesses

with Rising Phoenix Bookkeeping Solutions

Reality Check. Are You Where You Thought You’d Be?

Welcome July, hard to believe we are 7 months into 2026. Now think back to January. What goals did you set for your business? Were you planning to increase revenue? Improve cash flow? Reduce expenses? Pay yourself more consistently?

The only way to know if you’re on track is to know your numbers. Too many business owners wait until year-end to find out where they stand. By then, opportunities have been missed, and problems have had months to grow.

A mid-year review can provide valuable insight into what’s working, what’s not, and what adjustments need to be made before the year gets away from you.

Six months remain in 2026. There’s still plenty of time to finish strong.

Happy 250th Birthday, America. Let's Try Not to Burn Down Southshore

Fire officials are urging extra caution this Fourth of July as dry conditions continue across Florida

For 250 years, Americans have celebrated independence with cookouts, flags, fireworks, and at least one person insisting, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Let's see if we can break that last tradition this year.

As Southshore gets ready for another busy Fourth of July weekend, fire officials are reminding everyone that while Hillsborough County isn't currently under a burn ban, much of Florida is still dealing with unusually dry conditions. In fact, about 63% of the state remains under some level of drought, meaning it won't take much for a stray spark to become a much bigger problem.

Translation: this is probably not the weekend to find out whether that Mega Patriot Freedom Blast 9000 was worth the $149.99.

Every year, firefighters respond to fireworks-related emergencies ranging from brush fires to vehicle fires and even homes catching fire. And according to investigators, it's often not the fireworks themselves that cause the biggest problem. Dry leaves, overflowing trash cans, mulch, and other flammable materials around the home can turn one misplaced spark into a call to 911.

The good news is that avoiding a disaster doesn't require canceling the celebration. Clear away dry debris before lighting fireworks. Keep children and pets a safe distance away. Have a hose or bucket of water nearby. When the show is over, don't toss used fireworks straight into the trash. Fire officials recommend placing them on concrete, soaking them overnight in water, or covering them with sand before disposing of them the next day.

It's also worth remembering that Southshore neighborhoods aren't the same as they were 20 years ago. Homes are closer together, fences are taller, landscaping is denser, and there are simply more people living in the same space. One errant firework doesn't have nearly as much room to harmlessly fizzle out as it once did.

So by all means, celebrate. Fly the flag. Fire up the grill. Eat far too much potato salad. Cheer when the sky lights up.

Just make sure the only things glowing this Fourth of July are the fireworks... and maybe Uncle Bob after his third plate of barbecue.

America only turns 250 once. Let's make memories, not headlines.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Your Weekly What in the World

Has the Planet Been Extra Restless Lately?

Is it just us, or has it felt like the world has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately? Over the past two weeks, we've watched devastating back-to-back earthquakes level parts of Venezuela, a record-breaking heat wave grip much of Europe, dangerous heat spread across portions of the United States, and flooding impact communities in several countries. It seems like every time you turn on the news, Mother Nature has another surprise waiting.

It's easy to wonder whether all of these events are somehow connected. The answer is...not really.

Scientists say earthquakes are driven by the movement of Earth's tectonic plates, while heat waves, floods, and tropical weather are atmospheric events. In fact, experts recently pushed back on online speculation that several powerful earthquakes occurring within hours of each other around the globe were linked, saying the timing was simply a coincidence. That doesn't mean everything is business as usual.

Researchers say extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and more intense in many parts of the world. Europe is currently experiencing one of its most severe early-summer heat waves on record, with temperatures topping 100 degrees in several countries and thousands of excess heat-related deaths being reported. Meanwhile, Venezuela continues recovering from twin earthquakes that struck just days apart, with aftershocks still rattling the region and rescue efforts ongoing.

So, is the world falling apart? Probably not. But one thing is becoming increasingly clear: whether it's extreme heat, flooding, hurricanes, wildfires, or earthquakes, major natural disasters are capturing our attention with remarkable frequency.

Sometimes that's because there really are multiple disasters happening at once. Sometimes it's because modern technology allows us to witness events unfolding around the world in real time. Either way, it's a reminder that while our day-to-day lives may feel routine, we live on a remarkably active planet. And every once in a while, it reminds us who's really in charge.

Southshore Spotlight

Sun City Center Emergency Squad

For more than 50 years, the Sun City Center Emergency Squad has been living out its mission of "Neighbors Helping Neighbors."

This volunteer-driven nonprofit provides 24/7 emergency medical response, medical transportation, CPR education, and other vital services that help keep the Southshore community safe. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word, supporting the Squad means supporting one of our community's most valuable resources. Nominate your local hero by emailing us at [email protected]

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Stellar Notary Services

Foodies Only

Your Restaurant

New menu items, promos, specials, events- feature them here. This is the place to tell 40,000 readers in Southshore what you've got. Only 20 spots for the year. Claim yours today.

If you’ve got a restaurant, food truck, or even a lemonade stand, it could be featured here. Email us at [email protected]

Local Sports

Got news, events, or press releases that the Southshore needs to know about? Submit them here. (We’ll do our best to add press releases in our regular rotation.) If you’re looking to run an actual ad, go here instead.

Until next time,

Keep It Local.