Mortar & Pestle



What's one way to mix modern tastes with old-school traditions? Open up a dual concept called Mortar & Pestle, apparently.

This new indie pharmacy and café, under construction at 6308-6310 N. Florida Ave., is putting a contemporary twist on the classic pharmacy soda shops of the early 1900s, as well as historic small-town mom-and-pop drugstores. The 3,920-square-foot venture occupies two buildings to bring what it calls "a community gathering place and social hub" to Seminole Heights.

In addition to serving a patron's prescription needs, Mortar & Pestle is set to offer a relaxing environment in its adjacent café, where local sodas, espresso drinks, Florida craft beer and wine, desserts, and small plates will be featured. Its grand opening is planned for November.

"Mortar & Pestle will deliver attentive service for everything from soothing an ache to soothing a sweet tooth," reads a news release from Mortar & Pestle, "just as pharmacists of the past once filled prescriptions and mixed ice cream sodas with equal skill."

Local businesswoman and politician Rose Ferlita closed the doors of her business, Rose Drugs, in 2007, and the neighborhood hasn't had a community pharmacy since. There are fewer than 10 of them throughout the greater Tampa area, according to the release.