Almost exactly two years ago, What Now reported on the planned expansion of Orlando-born kava bar the Muddy Root Kava Cafe to Tampa. Since then, as more and more kava bars spring up in the Greater Tampa Bay area, the Muddy Root has also expanded to a third location in Clearwater.
“Tampa turned out to be an incredible location,” owner Jose Silveira told What Now on Wednesday. “And Clearwater has been amazing.”
Now, the Muddy Root is on the road to expansion once again, with two new locations on the way. The first, in St. Petersburg, will celebrate its Grand Opening at 2250 Central Ave on November 14. Then, about three months out, another Muddy Root will open in Gulfport, at 5102 Gulfport Blvd S.
“Downtown St. Pete is probably going to be our number one store,” said Silveira. “I just fell in love with it that spot; we’ve been working on this for about a year.”
Along with its kava offerings, The Muddy Root’s menu features high-end hot and cold espresso (and cold brew) coffees, herbal teas, and a selection of sweet and savory pastries.
“Kava has really blown up in the Greater Tampa Bay Area,” Silveira said. “It’s now officially the area with the highest concentration of kava bars in the world. And new people keep showing up; I keep seeing young new faces.”
This development makes sense, Silveira points out. And it would be hard disagree, when almost every day brings a new headline showing the drastic decrease in alcohol consumption that has taken place among young people.
“And I think breweries and distilleries have really taken notice. I don’t drink, but I have plenty of friends who do, when we used to go to breweries, I would maybe be able to drink a Coke. But now you see more and more mocktails and other alcohol-free drinks. Non-drinking has really exploded here.”
Still, even if people don’t want to consume alcohol, there will always be a desire for a place to gather, relax, and sip on something that tastes good. And that’s a space the Muddy Root Kava is moving to fill, with locations four and five coming soon.
You can keep up with all things Muddy Root Kava cafe by following @themuddyroot on Instagram.
