Law of Attraction

A law degree can pave the way to many different career paths, but restaurateur isn't the first one that springs to mind.

That hasn't stopped Todd Lax and Kevin Kenny, lawyers who opened 1895 Kitchen-Bar-Market on Aug. 30. In a historic building in downtown Tampa, 510 N. Franklin St., 1895 is a Southern-style eatery that serves a wide range of comfort food inspired by family recipes. It also boasts two bar areas featuring whiskey-based craft cocktails.

Lax and Kenny, whose friendship dates back to their school days at Tampa's Carrollwood Elementary, have been involved in real estate law — particularly hotel and other hospitality industry ventures. That's how they found the building that now houses 1895, as a real estate deal. They tried a juice bar in the space first, but weren't happy with its performance.