06 Mar Black Orchid
“Much like the lotus flower that is born in water, grows in water and rises out of water to stand above it unsoiled, the Black Orchid is forged from the dark to the light to share its beauty with the world.”...
- Tampa’s old Arturo Fuente Cigar Co. building to be restored, get a new life
Tampa’s old Arturo Fuente Cigar Co. building to be restored, get a new life TAMPA — The Vicente Nieto and Bros. Cigar Factory turns 100 next year. But if Liana Fuente has her way, the building at 2708 N 18th St. won’t look a day over 70. Her grandfather, Carlos Fuente Sr. of the famous Fuente cigar family, purchased the Ybor City factory in 1956 and then expanded its size by around two-thirds so that his father and company founder and namesake, Arturo Fuente, could live on the second floor while employees rolled stogies on the first. Arturo Fuente Cigar Co. later sold it and moved into a larger building. Then, a year ago, Liana Fuente purchased the Vicente Nieto and Bros. Cigar Factory and is now working toward restoring the 7,000-square-foot structure while adopting it for modern use. “I see this as my gift to the city from my family,” Fuente, 44, said. “But I also really want to create a space that is supportive of women.” When completed, likely by next year, the first floor will be retail — a bar, a florist and event space, all women owned, Fuente said. The second floor will feature five apartments. The basement,... - Liana Fuente speaks at Valspar’s Executive Woman’s Day sponsored by Morgan Stanley
I am so honored to be speaking at Valspar’s Executive Woman’s Day sponsored by Morgan Stanley. Thank you Penny Parks for having me on the panel to share my story…It is women like you that have paved the way for so many!! You are an inspiration and we thank you! #valspar #womanpower #dosomethingbiggerthanyourself - Una agradable charla con la tampeña Liana Fuente
Una agradable charla con la tampeña Liana Fuente Cuando se conversa con Liana Fuente, se adivina enseguida la estirpe de su apellido, insertado en la historia de la industria del tabaco en Tampa. Siguiendo a los grandes titanes que fundaron Ybor City y West Tampa a fines del siglo XIX, hombres como Arturo Fuente le dieron continuidad a ese legado en el siglo XX, contribuyendo al florecimiento de una ciudad que llegó a ser la capital mundial de la fabricación de puros. Arturo, el bisabuelo de Liana, llegó desde Cuba a principios del siglo XX y en 1912 instaló su primera fábrica, inscribiendo un sello que 112 años después mantiene su prestigio alrededor de un hábito cuyo hechizo se envuelve, como su humo, entre la censura y la alabanza. Fuente interrumpió la elaboración de tabacos en 1924, cuando su fábrica en West Tampa fue destruida por un incendio. La restableció en 1946 y durante las décadas de 1950 y 1960 estuvo produciendo en el edificio situado en el 2708 N 18th St., el que acaba de adquirir su biznieta. Su abuelo Carlos y su padre Carlos Jr. expandieron la firma Arturo Fuente Cigar Co. por el Caribe al perderse el... - Black Orchid
“Much like the lotus flower that is born in water, grows in water and rises out of water to stand above it unsoiled, the Black Orchid is forged from the dark to the light to share its beauty with the world.”