How many Entrepreneurs form Pied Piper Productions?

Two, Mike Piper and Me….. Corey Rena

Can you tell us a little about Pied Piper Productions, when it was formed, what started the idea, and if people were supportive?

Pied Piper Productions is a full charge marketing and event company formed in 2003.  We don’t just market the event. Some of the bartenders and wait staff are ours, and Pied Piper puts on the whole production. All the entertainment is part of our production and in many cases the décor as well. We have a warehouse full of props, costumes and equipment that we have purchased over the years.

I was one of the owners of Bahasa and Mike had thrown some parties at different places. We did a couple together. I was approached by Jack from Jacksons about helping him out over there and we saw the potential and formed Pied Piper Productions.

Jacksons and Pied Piper have a great working relationship. People were very supportive. When we began Fridays we had crowds up to 2700 weekly. Our production and the location of Jacksons combined was a great one of a kind marriage.

I once read that you opened your first bar 11yrs ago called the Hydeway. What would you say were some of the worst moments that humbled you to establish the empire that stands today?

Bigger is not always better. Hydeaway was a great bar frequented by lots of Athletes and musicians and was one of the first bars in the SOHO district. When HoHo decided to move I took over the whole space and opened up Bacchus Sushi and Noodles. My chefs were very innovative and sushi was not what it is today. People were still confused by the concept but it became an entertainment complex where people came to eat and stayed for the transition into a nightclub. We had a great run, but with 9/11, Tampa going through a growth spurt, Centro Ybor opening, new clubs such as Rain (thanks Rick who we work with now at Hawaiian Village for doing that. Just an inside joke… its business) and my head chef Hunter getting into a car wreck and being in traction, it was hard to maintain. One thing at a time maybe, but all three at once….we could not sustain. Food is very difficult and though I feel it’s a necessary evil to an establishment’s success, I will always look to partner with someone who has a passion for it, rather than do it myself.

What has been the most surprisingly difficult part of running nightclubs and establishments in Tampa?

Well as of late, the economy has been the difficult part. People just do not have the disposable income. Luckily people drink in good times and in bad, it’s just a question of how much they want to spend now.

Do you feel that you have gained most of the market share in Tampa?

I feel there are many people sharing in the market here.  There are lots of good operators. All we can do is put on the best show we can, and hope that people like what we do, and keep coming back.

Can the city of Tampa Handle any more nightclubs?

Hmm… again I think that’s an economical question. I think if it turns a little, people will spend more. I also think it depends on the concept.

What are 3 Factors that separate Jacksons, from any other venue?

Location, Concept and our Team Synergy;

A much better view in Tampa is hard to find. Our concept is difficult to duplicate cause of space. We actually operate three separate spaces all in one. This allows us to capitalize on 3 different genres of music. And last but certainly not least, it is the team we have in place. Jacksons, PM Noctem and Pied Piper together are family. Some of us have been working together for more than 10 years. They are the people that make the wheels turn and without them we could not exist. We like to call it our little dysfunctional family. We play together and it makes us stay together.

Pied Piper Productions has been part of the nightlife evolution in Tampa since 2003. How has the nightlife scene changed since you first started throwing events at Jacksons, and where does Pied Piper Productions see it go from here?

I have watched it grow here for many years. More clubs, more promotional companies, and just better operators creating more competition. I say that in a good way. It makes us as the operators work harder to keep the customer coming back. I remember when Cheesecake Factory said our market was too small for them to expand here, and they are here now. Hydeaway was one of maybe 4 places on Howard, now it’s a district. We are getting there. With just a little help from the economy, Tampa will have another growth spurt. Who knows maybe a revitalization of the downtown area? Being a NYC native, I would love to see a happening downtown area. Its one thing Tampa is really missing!

Do you feel that the nightlife scene in Tampa can stand its ground with other Giants like Miami and New York City?

Those are different animals. The amount of people that live there alone, not to mention the tourist and business commuters that go through there, make those markets so different than ours. Tampa stands on its own and does just fine. It’s when you try to emulate the others in monster cities that you can fall short.