TAMPA, Fla. — Businesses across the City of Tampa are making adjustments to stay open, if not temporarily closing, due to the ongoing boil water notice.
ABC Action News saw several customers denied their go-to caffeine stop Tuesday at Starbucks.
The coffee chain closed 20 locations across Tampa due to the city’s water issues. Those locations are not expected to reopen until Thursday.
ABC Action News found at least one espresso machine still operating in Tampa.
“It wasn’t really about what we avoided but what we were able to continue to offer Seminole Heights,” said Donnie Kessler, co-owner of Alert Coffee Co.
Alert Coffee Co. opened this year inside 7venth Sun Brewery in Seminole Heights.
Unlike most restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops, Alert Coffee Co. is not reliant on the city’s water system.
Co-owners Neal Beegle and Donnie Kessler figured out a way to use a reservoir tank system for their water supply, much like what you’d find in an RV.
“We had the opportunity to talk to our host 7venth Sun Brewery and figure out a way to take water from the appropriate tanks that were heated properly and sanitized to remove all pathogens from the water,” said Beegle.
The coffee shop cut six weeks of construction time before opening inside the brewery and saved the duo approximately $20,000 by not tapping into the city's water system.
While the majority of Tampa’s businesses are scaling back operations due to the boil notice, Alert Coffee Co. grinds on business as usual.
“We’re really hoping that this does get resolved soon though so the rest of the coffee industry in Tampa can get back to normal,” said Beegle.
