Undergrounds Coffee House is Closing

Michael Szymanski, 25, is the owner of Undergrounds Coffee House (212 East Tarpon Avenue) and a Tarpon Springs resident. His store opened in January of 2011, but Szymanski said that he will be closing the doors, for good, on Saturday.

Prior to Undergrounds opening, Szymanski said that he had always wanted to open his own venue. During his journey of starting a business, Szymanski was confident. "I knew I could do it, so I did," he said. When a spot on Tarpon Avenue in the downtown district opened up, Szymanski solidified his place on the block. 

From local art for sale on the walls of the store to open mic nights to live performances, Undergrounds Coffee House quickly became a go-to establishment for visitors. However, Szymanski said that the support was short-lived. He said that locals "need to slow down and realize the difference between a Walmart and the farmer's market." 

Szymanski was referring to the importance of shoppers buying local. 

According to , about 70¢ of every dollar spent locally stays within the community. The other side shows that only 40¢ of each dollar spent at a national chain stays close to home.

A lover of both music and coffee, Szymanski was all in during the opening of Undergrounds. "I went into debt doing this," explained Szymanski. 

Szymanski said that he is unsure about his future as far as what business venture he will take on next. The music or entertainment industry weigh in at the top of his list of career moves. However, Szymanski is not ruling out opening another establishment in Tarpon Springs. He said opening a bar could be in his future, but that  "the timing may not be right at this time."

Regardless of his next move, Szymanski is playing it safe and will not be making any rash decisions.

"It all happened so fast," said Szymanski. "I think it would be foolish for me to open something else right now." 

For the last official day of business on Saturday, the coffee house is scheduled to be open for normal business hours (10am-10pm).