Now its doors are likely closed for good, like so many other bars and restaurants done in by the coronavirus pandemic. For years, his father, Roland Manteiga, kept a corner table reserved for himself, with a special red telephone to call in scoops. It was also frequently reported in local media that Tampa's longtime mob boss, Santo Trafficante Jr., sometimes stopped by. “La Tropicana become a favorite hangout. !”For regular customers or sometime visitors, historic restaurants and bars have made lasting memories for so many people as they crossed paths with celebrities or, like Joplin, the soon-to-be famous.

Source: ABC News August 10, 2020 14:43 UTC