Tucked into the sun-washed streets of Ybor City, a scent lingers in the humid July air—yeasty, warm, and nostalgic. It’s not just bread baking. It’s history rising. La Segunda, Tampa’s iconic Cuban bakery, is celebrating a remarkable milestone: its 110th anniversary. Since its founding in 1915 by Juan Moré, this cherished institution has woven itself into the cultural and culinary fabric of the city, earning a reputation for its authentic Cuban bread, addictive guava pastries, and the kind of storytelling only a family-run bakery can deliver.
Where It All Began: Ybor’s Hidden Treasure
The story begins in a brick-clad corner of Ybor City, where a young Spanish immigrant set out to recreate the flavors of his homeland. But what started as a humble bakery quickly grew into something more—a cornerstone of Tampa’s Cuban-American heritage, infused with warmth, hard work, and flaky crusts that could whisper stories if you listened closely.
Juan Moré didn’t just build a bakery. He crafted a legacy, kneading identity and authenticity into every loaf. Today, that same spirit endures under the leadership of Copeland Moré, the fourth-generation baker who still uses the signature palmetto leaf to mark each loaf—just like his great-grandfather did.
“We’re one of the few bakeries in the country still making authentic Cuban bread the old-fashioned way,” said Copeland. “Carrying on that legacy is what sets our bread and our story apart.”
The Taste That Built a City
Cuban bread, the kind that cracks when you tap it and practically sings when toasted, is more than a side dish at La Segunda. It’s the soul of Tampa’s tables. Every loaf still follows the original process, a ritual performed by seasoned bakers who treat their job more like art than work.
Pair that with their legendary guava pastries, a fresh-pulled Cuban espresso, and sandwiches that should honestly have their own national holiday, and it’s no surprise La Segunda has been named one of the 100 best bakeries in America by Food & Wine.
“Cuban bread, handmade by a small army of lifers, still with the signature palm frond running the length of each loaf… Any further questions? Thought not.”
The Celebration Begins: A Community Toast
From July 5 to July 18, all four La Segunda locations—Ybor City, Kennedy, Seminole Heights, and St. Pete—will offer anniversary specials as a thank-you to generations of loyal customers.
- Half-loaf of Cuban bread: $1.10 (in-store only)
- Espresso shots: $1.10 (in-store and online)
While supplies last, these deals offer not just savings but a rare chance to bite into over a century of tradition. It’s not every day you get to chew through time.
Four Locations, One Legacy
Operating daily from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., each La Segunda bakery keeps the flame alive. The Kennedy and Seminole Heights branches cater to new neighborhoods, while the St. Pete location brings Cuban charm across the bridge. But the heart? It’s still in Ybor, where the smell of baking bread carries more than warmth—it carries memory.
To experience more, visit the official La Segunda site or follow them on
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A Slice of History, Served Fresh Daily
It’s rare for a business to last this long, and rarer still to retain the soul it started with. But La Segunda hasn’t just survived—it has thrived. With each pastry, each sip of café con leche, and each loaf passed across the counter, this bakery tells a story. One of resilience. One of flavor. One that never gets stale.
And as the 110th anniversary arrives, Tampa doesn’t just celebrate bread. It celebrates the spirit of family, tradition, and the kind of culinary craftsmanship you can’t download or duplicate.
Next time you take a bite of Cuban bread and it shatters perfectly in your mouth, remember—it’s not just a crunch. It’s the echo of 1915, baked fresh every morning.
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