Former Macaroni Grill Could Become National Mexican Chain

Macaroni Grill has been vacant for more than a year, but that could change in the next few months.
Macaroni Grill has been vacant for more than a year, but that could change in the next few months.

For more than a year, the former Romanoโ€™s Macaroni Grill location has remained vacant on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa. However, that may not be the case for long, as a national Mexican restaurant reportedly is in negotiations to lease the former Italian restaurant space, just north of Highwoods Preserve Pkwy.Continue reading

New Tampa Childhood Teammates Are University Of Miami Walk-Ons

New Tampa residents and life-long teammates Heath Grady (left) and Jake Romp (in green) both will be attending the University of Miami in the fall, as well as playing together as walk-ons on the schoolโ€™s prestigious football team.
New Tampa residents and life-long teammates Heath Grady (left) and Jake Romp (in green) both will be attending the University of Miami in the fall, as well as playing together as walk-ons on the schoolโ€™s prestigious football team.

By Matt Wiley

Young football players dream of playing in college for a chance to make it to the NFL. While itโ€™s common for friends to play on the same team in recreational leagues and in high school, itโ€™s not nearly as likely that those same two friends will walk on to the same college team โ€” but that actually is the case for two New Tampa athletes who both have walked on to the University of Miami football team.Continue reading