TOWN ‘N’ COUNTRY — Sushi Alive, a contemporary Japanese restaurant with a location in Westchase, will open a second spot this fall at 9316 Anderson Road, taking over the former Tampa Joe’s near AMC Veterans 24.
Co-owners Timmy and Jennifer Ly purchased the 6,000-square-foot property in March and plan to remodel the space. Their original location, at 13234 Race Track Road, remains open.
Tampa Joe’s, a sports bar that had operated at the site for 10 years, closed March 2. Owner Mike Goodwin, who also operates O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill in Carrollwood, announced the closure in a Feb. 24 Facebook post, saying the property had been sold and that he was pursuing other locations.
“While our hearts want nothing more than to continue serving our friends with the great food, welcoming service, and fun-loving spirit that have defined Tampa Joe’s from the very beginning, we have made the heartfelt decision to transition to a new chapter,” the post read.
The announcement drew hundreds of reactions and nearly 80 comments. Many lamented the loss of a neighborhood fixture, though others expressed excitement about a new sushi restaurant just outside the theater’s parking lot.
The arrival of Sushi Alive is the latest change in a plaza that saw Mamajuana Cafe Tampa relocate to Ybor City after a fire destroyed its tiki hut patio in April 2024. Sushi Alive will be one of four restaurant options near AMC Veterans 24, joining Puerto Rican eatery Pal Campo, Venezuelan restaurant Naguara Pepitos & Grill and fellow sushi spot Kuchi. The plaza also includes a Starbucks and a Cold Stone Creamery.