Cru Hospitality Group is set to roll out two new concepts at Sparkman Wharf this March, adding more reasons to linger along Tampa's Channelside waterfront. Smith's Provisions will serve as a quick-service stop for burgers and sandwiches, while The Back Bar will operate as a full-service cocktail and wine bar. The pair of venues will stretch Cru's presence across Water Street Tampa and give everyone from office workers to convention-goers more options from morning through the evening. Sparkman Wharf, near the Tampa Convention Center and Port Tampa Bay, has already turned its outdoor dining and events into a steady draw.
Deal and debut
Strategic Property Partners has tapped Cru Hospitality Group to launch the two spots at Sparkman Wharf, with a March opening on the books, according to Tampa Bay Business & Wealth. “At Sparkman Wharf, we are intentional about creating space for unique concepts that can debut and grow in an environment designed for long-term success,” Josh Taube said.
Built for the wharf
Smith's Provisions was designed as an open-air counter focused on American classics such as burgers, sandwiches and other quick-service staples, while The Back Bar will function as a full-service cocktail and wine bar for Wharf visitors, the reporting notes. “All of our concepts start with place first, and Smith’s Provisions and The Back Bar were intentionally designed for Sparkman Wharf from day one,” Kyle King, chief executive officer of Cru Hospitality Group, told Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.
Cru's Tampa footprint
The new concepts will deepen Cru Hospitality's reach in downtown Tampa. The group already operates Wine on Water and Small Giant in the Water Street district and runs Bouzy in Hyde Park and Cru Cellars in Palma Ceia, according to its website. That blend of neighborhood restaurants and wine-driven concepts has been a key piece of Cru's growth around the city in recent years, Cru Hospitality Group shows.
Where it will sit
Sparkman Wharf serves as a public gathering spot within Water Street Tampa, combining permanent tenants with events and a dining garden that attract both locals and visitors, the property's site notes. The steady daily traffic, layered with seasonal programming, makes the wharf a natural fit for a fast-service counter paired with a dedicated cocktail and wine bar, according to officials and local coverage.
What it means for the district
The new venues are arriving as Water Street moves through a second phase of offices, residences and retail development that backers say will keep the area active year-round and build a denser neighborhood fabric, per local reports. Adding concepts that span multiple dayparts, from quick lunches to evening drinks, supports nearby hotels and offices and helps sustain long-term foot traffic, reinforcing the district's position as a dining and social hub, Business Observer noted.
Cru Hospitality plans to open Smith's Provisions and The Back Bar at Sparkman Wharf in March. A specific opening date and full menus are expected closer to launch, and this story will be updated once officials release additional details.
