TAMPA, Fla. — Between Kourtney Pina and Bryan Prieto, they’ve collectively faced the stress and uncertainty of re-launching a cigar bar during the pandemic.

It was supposed to take about six to eight months—but time got away from them—especially in the last year during the renovation of their space on Franklin Street in downtown Tampa. 

Would they be able to reopen Lit Cigar and Martini Lounge after closing their Channelside location three years ago?

They’ve done it, but not without developing a tremendous sense of gratitude for their struggles. 

“And to get this place open, it was a lot of no's before there was a yes,” said Prieto. “You know, I had no money coming in. I had to get up on unemployment, food stamp—before you know it I'm working at FedEx unloading trucks just to focus to get this place up and running.”

Pina, a single mother of two, went through financial strains and emotional strains as well. 

Pina is a believer in God’s plan.

In the meantime, they planned pool parties with their clientele in the interim, and they kept their crowd in the know about the odyssey to open Lit.

In the most stressful moments, Pina implored Prieto to write down his prayers with her.

“And that's what it took for us,” said Pina, as they dreamed and fought to open by Super Bowl weekend.

“And literally it's 10:30 p.m., and we have tables being brought in, light bulbs being screwed in,” said Pina about opening night.

Finally, at 11 p.m., they prayed in a circle and decided to wing it—no matter what happened.

And the turnout was good — super good. Beyond their expectations. 

So good in fact, Pina said they had to stop actual NFL players and their entourages at the door and ask them to wait as they’d reached capacity.

Pina and Prieto say it was an amazing scene.

“It felt great. You know, it was, to be honest with you, it was overwhelming because neither one of us expected it to be this crazy,” said Prieto. “Neither one of us did.”

Prieto and Pina say without the support of their friends and clientele, they never would have succeeded.

“And now we have a purpose to go out there and say, hey, you can overcome anything,” said Pina.“Don't let people tell you no. If you have a dream, you have that dream for a reason.”

Pina and Prieto hope to use this platform to help the community.

They’ve already been donating to various Tampa Bay area charities.

And their Mother’s Day and Mimosas event will talk about how to start a business.

For the last year, our Virginia Johnson has been talking with people from all walks of life about Life in the Time of Coronavirus.

You can see more of these stories by clicking here.