Oxford Exchange owners to open new restaurant in Water Street
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Mar 28, 2022

One of Tampa Bay’s most prominent hospitality operators will debut a new concept in Water Street Tampa.

Oxford Commons, the parent company of Oxford Exchange and Stovall House in Tampa and The Library in St. Petersburg, has leased a 6,900-square-foot storefront on the street level of apartment tower Cora. That space will be home to Predalina, a seafood-forward Mediterranean restaurant with a raw bar, wood-fired oven, wine cellar and a 2,000-square-foot patio.

It is slated to open in early 2023.

Oxford Commons is controlled by siblings Blake Casper and Allison Casper Adams, whose family business Caspers Co. is the largest McDonald’s franchisee in Florida. Predalina is named for the siblings’ great-grandmother Predalina Oliviera, who lived to 101 and “cherished life by the sea,” according to Strategic Property Partners, the developer of Water Street Tampa.

“We are excited to be part of Water Street Tampa, where the energy is created by incredible architecture and the best of local and national chefs,” Adams said in a statement. “The docks and shipping industry played a pivotal role in Tampa’s development, and Predalina’s seafood-driven menu and dynamic design will marry Tampa’s historic fishing industry with Water Street Tampa’s vision for the future.”

Oxford Exchange, which opened in 2012, is widely credited with elevating design standards in Tampa’s hospitality sector.

Like Oxford Exchange, Predalina will feature a retail selection emphasizing custom, handcrafted tabletop wares, unique home décor and gifts. Beyond their restaurants, the Caspers also own The Current Hotel on Rocky Point.

“As Water Street Tampa continues to take shape, it’s important for us to carefully select retailers that we know will enhance the daily lives of district residents, office workers and visitors,” Lee Schaffler, SPP chief portfolio officer, said in a statement. “Working with Oxford Commons was a natural fit, and we’re excited to introduce this new dining and unique shopping experience to the Tampa community.”

SPP, controlled by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates’ Cascade Investment LLC, has focused on restaurants and other food-based concepts to fill the retail space in its first phase. Publix GreenWise Market anchors Heron, the apartment tower at the entrance to the Tampa Riverwalk.

The developer has signed a mix of local, national and regional concepts, including Boulon Brasserie, Wagamama, Naked Farmer, The Pearl, Small Giant Bar & Restaurant, Wine on Water, Chill Bros. Scoop Shop and MiniLuxe.