Meet the Owner: Mikey's Cafe & Bakery

The belated arrival of fills the final empty storefront in the 1926 building that anchors a micro commercial district at the corner of Hanna and Central avenues. Relatively new businesses  pet store and bike shop flank Mikey's, along with the longer established Glen's Hair Studio. Across the street, nears completion. 

Since , DeMicco said there's already a synergy building with her business neighbors. "I know three of my employees have bicycles, and they are completely ecstatic to be next to a bike shop. We have customers coming in all the time placing orders for lunch, and then they'll say, 'Hey, I'll just run next door to get some dog food.' We are seeing people multi-tasking here." 

6114 N Central Ave. 

813-234-3755

Daughter of Seminole Heights returns: Mikey's owner Michelle DeMicco grew up in Seminole Heights, and currently lives in the neighborhood with her three children. DeMicco first set up shop in Seminole Heights in early 2007 when she and her former husband opened Custom Creations and Events at 6420 N. Central Ave.

From old, to older: Within a year DeMicco decided to pare down the wedding and event planning aspects of her business, add a cafe and bakery element, change the name to Mikey's, and move to the 1950 Pickford's Sundries building at 2606 W. Hillsborough Ave. DeMicco eventually realized that Pickford's was too big, and decided to relocate to the smaller 1926 storefront at Hanna and Central. 

Same old Mikey's: Though downsized, Mikey's continues in its previous format, offering gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads, and featuring hand-pulled sodas from the fountain with dozens of flavor syrups to choose from. It's also a dessert bakery that accommodates custom orders for weddings and special events.

Who's Mikey?: DeMicco is. Mikey happens to be her nickname. 

Hours: Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.,  Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.