Metro Inclusive Health’s new Grand Central facility to debut Sept. 14

Metro Inclusive Health has focused on providing health and wellness services to the Tampa Bay area, without regard to sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, age or economic status, since 1993.

This week, the organization expands its outreach with inclusivitea., a hybrid retail experience with Wifi café, gift shop and sexual health center, on Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

inclusivitea. (yes, it’s spelled all lower-case, and with a period at the end) is a new iteration of the Metro thrift store at 2235 Central, which has been expanded to include a satellite health center with two exam rooms and waiting area offering HIV and STI testing, prevention with PrEP/nPEP and linkage to over 100 services and programs offered by Metro Inclusive Health at four Tampa Bay locations.

“With this new concept, we have the potential to significantly impact the rising HIV rates in our area,” Metro CEO Lorraine Langlois said in a statement. “The location and educational resource will make access to prevention available to more people in our community than ever before.”

With a freshly-painted Vitale Brothers mural in the courtyard of the adjacent LGBTQ Welcome Center, the 3,800-square-foot space now also includes a “high-tech media wall” allowing for presentations, film screenings and other uses as a center for education, discussion and entertainment.

Although inclusivitea.’s official grand opening and dedication won’t take place until Sept. 14, a soft opening will begin after Labor Day: “The public is welcome and encouraged to attend for short tours, food and beverage sampling and an opportunity to win one of two gift bags,” according to the statement.