The Last Page is dedicated to individuals who are making a positive impact on the LGBTQ community in Tampa Bay and Central Florida.
This issue, we check in with St. Petersburg business owner David Fischer, whose ventures won multiple Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence this year.
Fischer is the entrepreneur responsible for Cocktail, which promises “stiff drinks and hard liquor” as Tampa Bay’s 1st Place Favorite New Local Business. It also won 3rd Place Favorite LGBTQ Bar/Club and Favorite Happy Hour.
If that weren’t enough, he also runs The Saint, the celebrated speakeasy and Tampa Bay’s 3rd Place Favorite Allied Bar/Club as well as the interior design and retail experience ZaZoo’d, Tampa Bay’s 3rd Place Favorite Local Business Not a Bar/Club.
Future St. Petersburg staples are also in the works, which you can read about here. Learn more about Fischer’s businesses at CocktailStPete.com, TheSaintSpeakeasy.com and ZaZood.com and watch this space to learn more about the movers and shakers in your community.
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Identifies As: Gay
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Out Year: 2001
Profession: ZaZoo’d, The Saint and Cocktail business owner, and soon to be owner of The Wet Spot pool and day club and Mari Jean Hotel
Professional Role Model: My father.
Autobiography Title: “Dangerously Driven”
Hobbies: Traveling and anything around water.
What do you do professionally?
Technically, I retired from my career of 25 years as vice president of training at Darden Restaurants six years ago. Two years before retiring I opened my home decor/gift store and interior design firm, ZaZoo’d.
I then opened two more businesses – The Saint, a speakeasy and Cocktail, St Pete’s newest gay bar. Now I’m opening The Wet Spot, a pool and day club and Mari Jean Hotel, which will be St Pete’s newest gay hotel.
How do you champion for the local LGBTQ community?
I am opening safe spaces where the LGBTQ community can come together and feel comfortable being their genuine selves while celebrating what makes the unique, without shame or judgement.
What is your favorite thing to read in Watermark?
I love the event planner section to keep up with what’s happening and Out and About in Tampa Bay. With four businesses and two more coming, I don’t have much time to read anymore. Right now, it’s all about the pictures!
What is your favorite local LGBTQ event?
I love Equality Florida’s St. Pete Gala and St Pete Pride!
What is your favorite thing about your local LGBTQ community?
We are a diverse community in St. Pete, where we are embraced and celebrated for being ourselves.
What would you like to see improved in your local LGBTQ community?
I would like to see our community be less judgmental within. I feel sometimes we are our worst enemies.
What would you like our readers to know about you?
I am driven to create and develop safe spaces for the community that rival big city experiences.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t let fear keep you in a place longer than you want to stay. Be your authentic self.
How does it feel to have so many placements in this year’s WAVE Awards?
Having recognition from the people you serve is always the best type of validation of a job well done.
What have been some of the most rewarding parts of serving Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ community?
Seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they enjoy the spaces I have created. People express gratitude for the experiences and spaces I have built and created for LGBTQ people to enjoy themselves and celebrate their diversity.
What’s coming next for you and your businesses?
We are expanding to bring you even more. The Wet Spot and the hotel are in the most immediate future with a May/June opening, but stay tuned for even more news!
