Fast-growing grocery retailer doubles its space and moves its headquarters to the Westshore Business District
TAMPA, Fla. — Bay Food Brokerage, a Tampa-based food distribution company serving the southeastern United States, has purchased an office building in Tampa’s Westshore Business District for $4.3 million. At 11,975 square feet, the two-story building at 5201 W Laurel Street will be nearly twice the size of Bay Food’s existing office space on Memorial Highway in Tampa.
Abbey Ahern of Dohring Ahern represented Bay Food Brokerage in the transaction. Greg Andretta, SIOR, and Bill Besselue, CCIM, of Andretta Properties represented the seller, 5201 W Laurel Street LLC. Bill Amoriello of DFCU Financial provided financing for the purchase.
“We have experienced quite a steep growth trajectory over the past decade and it was time to upgrade the size, location and amenities of our headquarters,” said Chris Chatterton, executive vice president of Bay Food Brokerage. “Our rapid growth over the past few years – in terms of revenue and employees – has created a need for a space that is comfortable for our team and can also support our future growth.”
The property, located at 5201 W Laurel Street, was previously occupied by a food services brokerage company and had the amenities Bay Food needed, such as a commercial test kitchen.
“It’s not often that we find a building that is such a perfect fit, especially when you consider the unique requirements required to operate a food distribution company,” Ahern said. “Many would consider a full-service commercial kitchen at their corporate headquarters to be overkill; but for Bay Food Brokerage, this building met nearly all of their requirements.”
Location was also an important consideration, as Bay Food’s management wanted to accommodate the commuting needs of its workforce (approximately 50 employees in Tampa Bay) and the convenience of out-of-town customers traveling through Tampa International Airport.
“We are thrilled to have found a building in a location that truly meets all of our needs and allows us to grow into the next generation of Bay Food Brokerage,” said Cammie Chatterton, President and CEO of Bay Food. “We are also excited to move from Hillsborough County to the City of Tampa, the city we love and support through many charitable projects.”
Cammie Chatterton founded Bay Food Brokerage in 1993, making her one of the first women in the country to own a retail food brokerage firm.
Bay Food Brokerage will renovate the new building, making cosmetic and floor plan updates such as interior and exterior painting, new flooring and additional offices, with move-in expected in March 2025.
“The property was an ideal location for a corporate headquarters and was in excellent condition,” said Andretta. “It was a pleasure representing the seller and working with the buyer’s agent, Abbey Ahern, was seamless.”
Bay Food currently owns three buildings totaling approximately 7,000 square feet on Memorial Highway in Tampa. After moving into the new building, management plans to explore leasing or selling the current space. The company also has an office location in Lake Wylie, SC
About Bay Food Brokerage
Bay Food Brokerage is an industry-leading, fast-growing food distribution company based in Tampa, Florida. As a sales and marketing partner for hundreds of food manufacturers worldwide, Bay Food Brokerage works with the largest food distributors in the Southeastern United States to create and enhance opportunities for their customers. Since 1993, Bay Food Brokerage has combined unparalleled personal commitment and unmatched support with cutting-edge technology to help food manufacturers achieve their goals.
