While the City of Tampa's water trouble was bad for some businesses, it brought an unexpected boost to others.
Several local ice companies were slammed this weekend trying to fill the sudden demand brought on by the boil water alert. Many restaurant managers decided to throw out the ice made by their ice machines, since they use city water.
"People are calling every 20, 30 minutes asking for ice and it's nonstop," said Matthew Samson of Arctic Ice. "It was so hectic and busy."
Cool Ice, Inc. owner Diego Echeverry said he ordered about 80,000 pounds of ice from Miami and Gainesville to keep up with this weekend's unexpected boost in business.
"It's was pretty crazy," said Cool Ice Delivery driver Daniel Henao. "Everybody wanted ice… clubs, restaurants, strip clubs."
It's was busy weekend for them, but not everyone in the service industry was as lucky. Maggiano's Little Italy at Westshore Plaza closed its doors for the second night in a row Saturday. Starbucks across the city didn't sell their signature handcrafted coffee drinks, only bottled beverages.
"I was extremely surprised," said customer Shanna Goratowski. "I really wanted my coffee today."
Countless other restaurants didn't serve tap water or soda from their fountains. Many local grocery stores struggled to keep their water shelves stocked. Publix spokeswoman Shannon Patten said a continuous flow of trailers delivered water and ice to stores in the impacted area Saturday.
The precautionary Boil Water Notice in effect for all City of Tampa water customers was lifted early Sunday, after test results confirmed the water is safe to drink.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:59 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:59:54 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:50:46 GMT
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:20:38 GMT
Three Bartow High School students are accused of breaking into the city middle and high school. Police said they began investigating a series of school burglaries on Monday. Investigators said the
Three Bartow High School students are accused of breaking into the city middle and high school. Police said they began investigating a series of school burglaries on Monday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:19:20 GMT
Polk County Volunteer of the Year Corey "Ralph" Cowart will soon enjoy another special honor. The Tampa Bay Rays have invited the 30-year-old to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming home game.
Polk County Volunteer of the Year Corey "Ralph" Cowart will soon enjoy another special honor. The Tampa Bay Rays have invited the 30-year-old to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming home game.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:59 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:59:54 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:46:51 GMT
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:09:00 GMT
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:17:54 GMT
A military widow wants to know why another woman's name is engraved on her husband's headstone. The woman discovered the mistake while visiting her husband's grave at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
A military widow wants to know why another woman's name is engraved on her husband's headstone. The woman discovered the mistake while visiting her husband's grave at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
Tuesday, June 4 2013 7:25 PM EDT2013-06-04 23:25:23 GMT
A 72-year-old Myrtle Beach man was charged after police said he ran over a duck and her ducklings on purpose with his BMW. According to a police report, Robert Allen Willard
A 72-year-old Myrtle Beach man was charged after police said he ran over a duck and her ducklings on purpose with his BMW. According to a police report, Robert Allen Willard
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:54:00 GMT
An image displaying what appears to be a pair of hairy legs has gone viral on the web. According to Buzzfeed.com, the image was first spotted on Sina Weibo, a popular social media website in China. The
An image displaying what appears to be a pair of hairy legs has gone viral on the web. According to Buzzfeed.com, the image was first spotted on Sina Weibo, a popular social media website in China. The
Monday, June 17 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:40:17 GMT
The Vigo Importing Company has been bringing exotic products to Tampa for years. The warehouse facility of off Hillsborough Avenue is filled with all kinds of delicious things to eat.
The Vigo Importing Company has been bringing exotic products to Tampa for years. The warehouse facility of off Hillsborough Avenue is filled with all kinds of delicious things to eat.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:22 AM EDT2013-06-18 10:22:06 GMT
Troy Petro and his fishing buddy fell overboard "like rockets." Those were Petro's words as he stood barefoot at the St. Petersburg Marina Tuesday, feeling lucky he wasn't hurt.
Troy Petro and his fishing buddy fell overboard "like rockets." Those were Petro's words as he stood barefoot at the St. Petersburg Marina Tuesday, feeling lucky he wasn't hurt.
