From Childhood Shenanigans to Tango Brew: Inside Chris Walters’ Journey on Happy Hour Holidaze

When longtime friends reunite, you can always expect a hearty dose of hilarious stories, nostalgic memories, and valuable life lessons. This is exactly what you’ll find in the latest episode of Happy Hour Holidaze featuring special guest Chris Walters—the entrepreneurial mind behind Tango Brew, a soon-to-open Argentinian-Italian fusion coffee and wine bar in Tampa. Hosted by Sean and Manny Febre, the podcast takes a lively trip down memory lane, exploring Chris’s upbringing, colorful teenage moments, and the winding path that led him to create a unique business concept. Below is a detailed look at this can’t-miss conversation and the story of Tango Brew.

A Nostalgic Introduction

Sean and Manny waste no time welcoming Chris Walters to the show, reminiscing about how they all grew up in the same neighborhood. Their camaraderie comes through immediately, full of lighthearted banter and inside jokes. As they crack open a bottle of Malbec wine, courtesy of Chris, the stage is set for a fun-filled trip through the past—and a deep dive into Chris’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Chris’s personal connection to Sean and Manny dates back to their days as middle schoolers, playing football in the street, rolling up to fast-food jobs, and even dabbling in teenage mischief. It’s obvious their friendship laid the groundwork for a comfortable, open conversation, and it’s this authenticity that makes the episode so relatable.

Childhood Shenanigans and First Jobs

Before Chris became the visionary behind Tango Brew, he was a typical teenager dealing with the usual adolescent hijinks. Manny and Sean recall an incident where Chris was part of a short-lived Burger King “era,” an experience they collectively describe with fond (and hilarious) exasperation.

• Burger King Donuts in the Drive-Thru: Manny recounts the time he used Chris’s car to drive in loops through the restaurant’s drive-thru, trying to trick the system into showing faster service times.
• Accidental Product Innovation: Chris humorously shares how he once gave a customer a mix of onion rings and French fries and passed it off as a “new menu item.”

The conversation underscores a common theme: these early jobs—fast-food gigs and supermarket roles—taught them the importance of hard work, discipline, and the comedic mishaps that occur when you’re trying to figure out life as a teenager.

The Construction Family Background

A key influence in Chris’s life was his father, a dedicated contractor who specialized in home renovations and countertops. Chris recalls spending his summers working with his dad, laboring in hot warehouses to cut and finish Corian countertops. While these experiences were grueling, they also shaped his work ethic and sense of responsibility.

Manny shares a personal anecdote about Chris’s father, Norm, revealing Norm’s forthright personality and how he’d often dish out unfiltered quips at unexpected times. Although Chris recognized his dad’s strict approach, he appreciates how these lessons in perseverance have paid dividends throughout his life, especially as he ventures into building a business from the ground up.

Transition into Medicine

Interestingly, Chris didn’t immediately follow in his father’s construction footsteps. Instead, he took a different route—pursuing a career in medicine. He became a Physician Assistant (PA), a role that requires six years of education, along with various clinical rotations.

• The Appeal of Being a PA: Chris believed the role offered more flexibility than a physician’s path, avoiding the extended years required for medical school and residencies.
• Adventures in Urgent Care: Chris quickly discovered that while the paycheck was stable, the day-to-day routine could be emotionally draining—ranging from diagnosing gonorrhea to performing not-so-pleasant examinations.
• Teaching and Training: Chris even spent time teaching future physician assistants at USF, guiding them on complex procedures.

While he respected his profession and enjoyed helping patients, an entrepreneurial itch lingered beneath the surface.

Realizing the Entrepreneurial Calling

Years into his medical career, Chris felt a sense of repetition and a lack of scalability in his work. He describes feeling like he needed a new challenge—something that could combine creativity, social interaction, and business acumen.

• Influence of Podcasts and Inspiration: Chris cites shows like Happy Hour Holidaze and other entrepreneur-focused podcasts for helping him realize there’s more to life than a corporate or clinical role.
• Family Dreams vs. Personal Dreams: Just as Manny and Sean once faced pressure to pursue engineering careers, Chris originally followed a more “traditional” route. Ultimately, he learned the importance of aligning his long-term goals with his personal passions.

The Birth of Tango Brew

Chris and his Argentinian wife had often dreamed of opening a coffee shop. During a casual walk in Tampa, they stumbled upon a site that ignited their imaginations. As they dug deeper, that initial dream expanded:

1. Coffee + Wine Concept: They evolved the idea to include wine, inspired by his wife’s Argentinian background. Soon, Chris realized they needed a food component as well—Argentinian tapas and Italian fusion—reflecting the cultural history of Italian immigrants in Argentina.
2. Finding the Perfect Location: Ultimately, they landed on a ground-floor commercial space beneath the Jade Apartments near the University of Tampa. The space features garage doors, a spacious patio, and room for roughly 90 seats.
3. Negotiations & Challenges: Working with architects, dealing with concrete footers that weren’t on the original plans, and battling construction delays tested Chris’s resolve. Between hurricanes, holiday shutdowns, and even changes in property ownership, the project took significantly longer—and cost more—than initially expected.

Despite these obstacles, Chris remained committed. He hammered out a lease that included a “vanilla shell” build-out, meaning the landlord would handle structural and utility installations. This move saved significant money and allowed Chris to focus on Tango Brew’s interior design and menu.

Exploring the Menu and Atmosphere

Tango Brew aims to be a multi-purpose destination, open from early morning into late evening on weekends:

• Coffee and Breakfast: Starting at 7 AM, customers can expect Argentinian-inspired pastries (medialunas), artisanal coffee from local roasters (Brisk Coffee in Ybor), and breakfast sandwiches.
• Lunch & Evening Tapas: Flatbreads, salads, Argentinian empanadas, choripán (Argentinian chorizo sandwich), and other Italian-Argentinian dishes will be the core attractions.
• Wine & Beer: A curated selection of Argentine and Italian wines, alongside craft beers on tap (featuring local Tampa breweries like Cigar City). A professional sommelier helps to perfectly pair wines with Tango Brew’s food offerings.
• Events & Entertainment: Chris plans to feature live music and even tango presentations, complete with projected 4K tours of Buenos Aires and Italy on the café walls. The space also lends itself to private meetings, tastings, and special events.

Lessons Learned and Advice for Future Entrepreneurs

Throughout the episode, Chris offers hard-won insights for anyone looking to start a business:

1. Plan for Delays: Whatever timeline you expect, multiply it by two or three. The same goes for costs.
2. Patience & Resilience: Be ready to handle curveballs—like construction mishaps, power shifts between landlords, or supply chain issues.
3. Negotiation is Key: A strong broker and contractual terms (like ensuring the landlord handles certain build-out costs) can save you thousands.
4. Marketing & Community: Chris uses email subscriber lists, social media, and private tastings to build a loyal following before opening day.
5. Do What Fuels You: If you’re unhappy in a standard 9-to-5—or, in Chris’s case, a rigorous clinical setting—chart your own path.

Looking Ahead: Soft and Grand Openings

Tango Brew is set to launch with a soft opening primarily for loyal subscribers and early supporters. After fine-tuning operations, Chris plans a big grand opening event—potentially with live music, tastings, and special guests, possibly even Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. He expects local residents, UT students, and Argentinian-Italian food lovers alike to pack the venue.

If you’d like to be on the early invite list, head to tangobrew.com or follow @tangobrewtampa on Instagram. Sign up, and you’ll receive a 20% discount coupon plus the latest news on the official launch date.

Final Thoughts

When childhood friends reconvene, the memories flow as easily as the wine. This Happy Hour Holidaze episode is not just an entertaining trip down memory lane—it’s also a robust primer on entrepreneurship, perseverance, and going after your life’s passion. Chris Walters exemplifies the courage it takes to step away from a stable profession to build something meaningful, even if it means facing countless roadblocks along the way.

Tango Brew is more than a coffee and wine bar. It’s a vision of an inclusive space that brings people together—early risers seeking a caffeine kick, students and professionals needing a vibrant work-friendly environment, and culture seekers eager to experience a fusion of Argentinian and Italian flavors. If this podcast episode is any indicator, Tango Brew will soon be a cornerstone of Tampa’s booming food and beverage scene.

Raise a glass to Chris Walters, Manny and Sean Febre, and everyone who’s passionate about forging their own path. The journey may be riddled with obstacles, but the payoff—both personally and professionally—can be just as satisfying as a perfectly brewed espresso or a well-paired Malbec.

Cheers to new endeavors, the power of resilience, and the joy of following dreams!