Volleyball, a freshwater beach, and boats add up to a good time at The Tiki Cove on the shoreline of Lake Padgett.
Partners Dave Hipps and Steve Slowey are bringing a new tiki-style bar and restaurant to Land O’ Lakes, on Station Lane, off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. They are kicking off with a series of weekend preview events on Sept. 11, 12 and 13.
Plans are to open The Tiki Cove every other weekend, at least for the next few months. Once permitting is complete, construction can begin on the brick-and-mortar bar and restaurant.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)
On the Mark Catering will provide the food, cocktails and beer, until the doors open on the bar and restaurant.
“We’re looking to slowly evolve it,” said Dave Hipps, who is partnering with restaurateur Steve Slowey on the venture.
Social media channels, primarily through The Tiki Cove Facebook page, are spreading the word. “It’s really letting people know what’s going on, “ Hipps said.
On Sept. 11, the public is invited to a VIP preview from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Sept. 12, a “catch and release” fishing tournament will take place in the morning to benefit the Myocarditis Foundation, and honor the memory of Austin Vonckx. Afterward, The Tiki Cove will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
And on Sept. 13, Sunday Fun Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
One rule will be enforced. After 7 p.m., only people age 21 and older can be at The Tiki Cove.
“That’s going to be a strict guideline,” Hipps said.
Looking ahead, Rockstar Promotions will sponsor a volleyball tournament on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27.
Until now, volleyball enthusiasts had to drive to Hogan’s Beach on the Courtney Campbell Causeway or Toasted Monkey in St. Petersburg. But now Hipps said, people can play closer to home.
Aside from volleyball, Hipps said other games including ring toss and Jenga will be available. The catering company will have specialty drinks, such as Blue Heaven and Tiki Breeze, and a menu of fish tacos, mahi-mahi and burgers.
And, there will be a dock and ample shoreline for boaters.
The partners, along with their wives Laura Hipps and Sheri Slowey, believe The Tiki Cove is coming in on a wave of new development in Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.
“(The area) just really needs more venues like this, so they don’t have to drive half an hour to St. Petersburg,” said Dave Hipps, who owns Land O’ Lakes Marine. “Growth is coming with the (Tampa Premium Outlets) mall. This should be a great success.”
The idea for The Tiki Cove came nearly five years ago, as Hipps and his wife took a boat ride and found themselves at a waterfront seafood restaurant off Gandy Boulevard. The style was Polynesian.
“We really fell in love with the concept,” Hipps said. “It had a great atmosphere. You could enjoy the water and have a drink.”
But, the economy had other plans.
“Obviously, the economy didn’t permit this, and the timing wasn’t right,” Hipps said.
Now, five years later, The Tiki Cove is here.
Hipps couldn’t be happier, because the long wait meant his friend, Steve Slowey, was available to become his business partner.
Slowey owns several Beef O’ Brady’s restaurants, and The Brass Tap.
For Hipps, this is his first venture into the restaurant business, but he isn’t worried.
“I’ve owned businesses my whole life since college,” he said. “I’ve never done anything I didn’t own. I believe businesses are businesses. Businesses that are run right work, and Steve is such a great entrepreneur, and a food and drink expert.”
And, volleyball is a natural for Hipps, who played the sport at Ohio State University. His daughter, Brittany Rodrigues, played volleyball on scholarship while at Hillsborough Community College, before graduating from Florida State University.
He’s not sure why, but volleyball is a sport that always seems in style. “Maybe being down here on the beach,” Hipps said. “It’s just kind of making a resurgence.”
Eat Life Fishing Tournament
What: A fundraiser for the nonprofit Myocarditis Foundation in honor of Austin Vonckx
When: Sept. 12 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tournament will end at 10:30 a.m., with prizes awarded at 11 a.m.
Where: The Tiki Cove, located on Station Lane, off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard
Cost: $30 per person; a Florida freshwater fishing license and preregistration is required; a light breakfast will be served
For registration or more information text or call Eric at (813) 838-6868.
Published September 9, 2015
