Eight New Businesses Coming Soon to the EDGE District

Just last week we announced a new apartment building that is slated to break ground next month in the EDGE District of Downtown St. Petersburg.  This week, we’ve decided to highlight eight businesses that have recently opened their doors or are coming soon to the booming EDGE District.  Which new businesses are you looking forward to? 

TEN27 Central
1027 Central Avenue
Opening Early October 2016

Co-owned by Mike Baldridge and Lori Werner, who also own Simply Elegant Boutique in Tampa, TEN27 Central will be a trendy women’s boutique in the heart of the EDGE District.  Lori’s daughter, Megan Werner, will be managing the shop, which will specialize in apparel, jewelry, gifts and accessories.  

TEN27 will carry clothing brands such as Project Social T, Lush, and Spiritual Gangster.  The shop will also offer jewelry by Bourbon & Boweties, Mantrabands, and Lily & Laura.  Other products include Aspen Bay Candles and drink-related accessories by Corkcicle.  TEN27 is expected to open in early October, come enjoy a fun shopping experience while sipping on a glass of wine or a local craft beer!

Pinellas Cru
901 1st Avenue S.
Opening September 16th, 2016

In 2004, Peg Wesselink and husband Tony Dodson opened up Peg’s Cantina in Gulfport, FL.  The Cantina served delicious Mexican food made from locally-sourced ingredients, but perhaps what Peg’s was equally known for was their beer.  In 2009, Peg’s son, Doug Dozark, began brewing experimental batches of beer for the restaurant.  The beer that Doug was brewing wasn’t just good beer, it was world-class.  In fact in 2012, Peg’s Rare D.O.S. Imperial Stout was rated #10 on Beer Advocate’s Top 100 Beers list.  Doug quickly outgrew his mother’s restaurant and opened Cycle Brewing at 534 Central Ave in Downtown St. Pete in 2013.

When Peg’s Catina closed their doors in 2015, Peg and Tony weren’t quite sure what their next move would be, but luckily they have found a home in the EDGE District, just a few blocks from her son’s brewery.  Their new venture, Pinellas Cru, is a conversation bar, kind of like Peg’s was a conversation restaurant. What is Cru?  It's Sour/wild beer, Cycle taps, cheese plates, California wines & whiskey. Craft Cocktails?  Not really.  Neat?  Yes!  They are excited to be part of the EDGE District’s bustling energy of runners, walkers, cyclists, & talkers!

Intermezzo Coffee
1111 Central Avenue
Opening Mid-September 2016

Intermezzo Coffee is a specialty coffee pop-up by Jarrett Sabatini, a former sommelier at Locale Market, which will run for a few months at 1111 Central Avenue. The name Intermezzo translates to “intermission” or “interlude”. It is generally used in a musical context meaning "a short movement separating major sections of a lengthy composition or work." It’s also used in the culinary world as a palate cleanser before the main entree during a large meal. In this context, however, Intermezzo Coffee intends it to convey the message of having an intermission in one’s day — say enjoying a delicious cup of coffee and pastry before work or catching up with a friend. Take an intermission, enjoy a short break.

Although Intermezzo is a temporary pop-up, it’s being run as a full-service coffee bar including new furniture, a La Marzocco espresso machine (handmade in Florence, Italy), high-quality coffees from La Colombe Coffee Roasters based out of Philadelphia, a curated playlist, and more. They will partner with a local bakery to carry freshly made croissants, muffins, and other treats. Their menu will consist of traditionally prepared coffee and espresso drinks in addition to in-house creations.

Texture
1029 Central Avenue
Opened September 1st, 2016

Southern Texas shop owner, LeRae Musslewhite, has decided to expand her business to Saint Petersburg. Texture, a fabric and design studio, will carry a vast selection of unique items, both new and found, while offering complete design and home styling services from in-house designers and managing partners Erica Rexroat and Jennifer Handley. Texture aims to set itself apart from the rest.  

Clients can browse in-store fabric samples, which generate an endless number of choices for custom draperies, textiles, pillows, and furniture.  Whether you have a clear idea in mind or need some help getting started, Texture’s designers are available for all of your home design needs.

Grassroots Kava House
957 Central Avenue
Opening End of September 2016

Grassroots Kava House is Saint Petersburg's only downtown kava bar and coffee house. Don’t know what kava is?  It is a traditional drink from the south Pacific that is prepared from the ground roots of the kava plant.  The drink is known for its relaxing and mellowing effects.  

Owned by local kava guru Kenn Hoyumpa, who also opened the popular Bula Kafe, Grassroots Kava House will serve the finest noble kava, locally roasted coffee, tea, and kombucha in an upscale, relaxed atmosphere. They will occupy a two-story building at 957 Central Ave that will provide a convenient and comfortable space for professionals working outside of the office.

Independent Bar
1049 Central Avenue
Opening Early October 2016

Before St. Petersburg was home to a single brewery, we had the Independent Bar.  Opened back in 2005, located where Cask and Ale currently resides, the Independent Bar was a pioneer of craft beer in the ‘Burg.  Eventually, the Indie made their way across the bay and opened a location in Tampa’s Seminole Heights in 2009, again sparking a craft beer movement in that neighborhood, which would later see mainstays such as Angry Chair Brewing and Jug and Bottle Company.  Sadly, in 2012 the Independent in St. Pete closed their doors.  However, this October we will get to experience the grand return of The Independent in St. Pete — this time in the EDGE District.

After buying the 1,600 square-foot space formerly occupied by The Amsterdam, Veronica Danko is currently in the interior design and planning stages of the new craft beer and wine bar.  Once its doors open in October, the Independent Bar will have 25 beers on tap with a small-batch focused wine selection.

Dr. BBQ’s
1101 First Avenue S.
Opening Mid-2017

You may have seen him as a contestant on Food Network’s Chopped or as a judge on FYI’s World Food Championships.  Maybe you’ve read one of his seven cookbooks. Either way, if you haven’t yet heard of Ray Lampe, known as Dr. BBQ, you’ll soon be able to experience his award-winning BBQ, which got him inducted into the BBQ Hall of Fame in 2014.  

Lampe will be partnering with Suzanne and Roger Perry, owners of Tampa’s popular Datz, Dough, and Roux to bring this exciting new BBQ joint, named Dr. BBQ's, to the EDGE District in Winter 2017.  The restaurant will occupy a staggering 7,315 square-feet of space, which will make it one of the largest restaurants in Downtown St. Pete.

GulfShore Bank
965 Central Avenue
Opened August 30th, 2016

Headquartered in Tampa, GulfShore Bank is a locally owned, locally managed, full-service community bank that serves both individuals and businesses.  Founded in 2007, this is GulfShore Bank’s first location in Pinellas County.  In a recent press release, Joe Caballero, President and CEO of GulfShore Bank said, “We are excited to become an integral part of this thriving business community. Their growth has been thoughtful and steady, similar to the growth of our bank, and they are extremely community-oriented, just like we are.”