Voodoo Brewery opening brewpub in downtown St. Pete this spring

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Voodoo Brewery opening brewpub in downtown St. Pete this spring

Pennsylvania-based Voodoo Brewery Co. will open a brewpub at 220 4th Street North in downtown St. Pete. The building was formerly home to Orange Blossom Catering. Buildout has already begun and a projected opening is slated for April 2022.

As St. Pete’s craft beer scene continues to grow, Voodoo Brewery Co. plans to bring an inviting beer experience that compliments the already thriving local brewing community.

The brewpub will include 15 to 20 taps dedicated to Voodoo beer in addition to a few local guest taps.

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Sweetgreen is coming to downtown St. Pete

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Sweetgreen is coming to downtown St. Pete

A Los Angeles-based fast-casual restaurant serving made-to-order salads is coming to St. Pete in 2022.

Sweetgreen has signed a lease at 1114 Central Avenue in the EDGE District of downtown St. Pete. The space is currently home to the Central Arcade, a collective of businesses including Billy’s Barber Shop and Healthy Hemp Outlet.

Plans recently submitted to the city indicate the new 4,000 square foot restaurant will have 27 seats inside and 16 seats outside along Central Avenue.

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Black Cattle bringing burgers to the Jannus Block in downtown St. Pete this Spring

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Black Cattle bringing burgers to the Jannus Block in downtown St. Pete this Spring

This April, Black Cattle Burger Company is bringing the popular smash burger concept to 17 3rd Street North in downtown St. Pete. It will take over the former Mexican restaurant, Grumpy Gringo, on the Jannus Block, St. Pete’s most popular nightlife destination.

The new burger joint is being launched by Shan Bakrac, who also owns the neighboring Top Slice Pizzeria. The restaurant will seat between 25-30 people with a large outdoor patio.

Black Cattle wants to be the solution to the late-night dining problem, especially if you aren’t in the mood for pizza. To accomplish that, the new eatery will focus on taste, quality, and simplicity.

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Community-focused restaurant Zoie’s coming soon to the Grand Central District

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Community-focused restaurant Zoie’s coming soon to the Grand Central District

A new restaurant is coming soon to the Grand Central District with the aim of creating an immersive dining and entertainment experience that celebrates all beliefs and walks of life. Located at 2245 Central Avenue, which was formerly Father and Son’s A/C and Heating, Zoie’s hopes to use community and events to spread a message of inclusivity.

“With so much uncertainty and chaos in the world, I want Zoie’s to be a place where everyone is comfortable no matter how different or displaced they may feel,” said Zoie’s owner, Jeff Baker.

At Zoie’s, which was named after Baker’s pup, everything from the food, drinks, service, and décor will make customers feel like they’re enjoying a warm and cozy meal at home with their family and loved ones.

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Steak and seafood restaurant The Crane coming to Central Avenue next year

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Steak and seafood restaurant The Crane coming to Central Avenue next year

The Crane, a casual steak and seafood restaurant with a classic cocktail bar, is coming next year to the former Wig Villa space at 575 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete. Owner Sean Thongsiri’s first downtown restaurant, Mangosteen, opened this week at 656 Central Avenue – just a block away from The Crane.

“We love downtown St. Pete and all it has to offer for residents and guests alike,” said Serena Raynard, who is helping Thongsiri open and operate his restaurants. “Now that the doors are open at Mangosteen, we are excited to shift our focus to The Crane.”

Interior demolition began a few weeks ago and buildout is now underway. When diners enter the 150-seat restaurant, they will escape into a world that could’ve been taken right out of The Great Gatsby. Lounge seating at the front of the restaurant will welcome guests to relax and enjoy the food and drink offerings.

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Ohio Pizza Parlor brings midwest-style pizza to west St. Pete

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Ohio Pizza Parlor brings midwest-style pizza to west St. Pete

Ohio-style pizza has made its way to St. Pete without the cold weather and heavy snowfall. The Ohio Pizza Parlor (O.P.P.) opened last month at 7224 Central Avenue and is satisfying pizza cravings for thin, crispy crust with edge-to-edge toppings.

The Ohio Pizza Parlor’s location, which is minutes from the Treasure Island Causeway, makes a trip to the beach that much more enjoyable. Diners can choose from one of the eleven specialty pies or they can build their own with O.P.P.’s premium or super premium toppings.

Pizza from Ohio is unique in its presentation and taste. The pizza is round, but the pieces are cut into small squares with toppings, cheese, and sauce extending all the way to the edge of the pizza. The crust is ultra-thin, closer to resembling a cracker than a traditional pizza crust.

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Farm fresh restaurant Two Graces opening soon in west St. Pete

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Farm fresh restaurant Two Graces opening soon in west St. Pete

Two Graces, a new casual, yet refined, restaurant is coming to 6001 Central Avenue. The restaurant was previously home to the nationally recognized Reading Room, which closed their doors in 2019. The uniquely designed restaurant boasts a spacious al fresco dining experience and fresh ingredients sourced from an on-site garden filled with herbs and vegetables.

The layout of Two Graces puts an emphasis on outdoor dining by offering various “rooms" in which to enjoy a hearty meal in the beautiful Florida sunshine. Plants, flowers, herbs, and vegetables will envelop the guests as they dine, a scene that could’ve easily been lifted out of The Secret Garden.

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Three food concepts to debut at the upscale EDGE Eatery in downtown St. Pete

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Three food concepts to debut at the upscale EDGE Eatery in downtown St. Pete

The EDGE Eatery, a restaurant concept featuring three food counters, is set to open the first week of December at 1572 Central Avenue in the EDGE District. The new restaurant will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the former Pinot’s Palette located on the ground level of the Fusion 1560 Apartments. The 3,000 square foot space will also offer a lounge that will serve as a place to relax or get some work done.

The EDGE Eatery’s three food counters will offer Asian, Italian, and Latin cuisine. St. Pete locals may recognize some of the operators as they were among the most popular food spots at the EDGE Collective Urban Market Place located a few blocks away at 1234 Central Avenue.

The owner of the popular food truck Shiso Crispy will be opening Shiso Dumplings at The EDGE Eatery. The dumpling house will offer made-to-order gyoza, shumai, and mandu. Owner Ronicca Whaley’s Shiso Crispy was recently voted the number one food truck in Tampa Bay at the 2021 Best of the Best Awards presented by The Tampa Bay Times.

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A new performing arts theater, Studio Grand Central, premiers in St. Pete

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A new performing arts theater, Studio Grand Central, premiers in St. Pete

St. Pete’s reputation as the new creative capital just received another promising boost with the recent opening of Studio Grand Central, a mid-sized, one-set theater, gallery, and performance venue located at 2260 1st Avenue South, formerly home to Andi Matheny Acting Studios.

The intimate theater, which seats 55 people, recently kicked off its inaugural season at the end of July with the debut of “Rasheeda Speaking”, a provocative depiction of race, power, and friendship.

The size of the Studio is touted as its strength as it introduces an opportunity for the players to tackle sensitive topics that target underserved audiences such as the LGBTQ+, African American, Asian, and senior citizen communities. The one-set stage is ideal for living room comedies and dramas that audiences can engage and interact with.

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Bella8 Boutique brings accessible, affordable fashion to Historic Uptown

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Bella8 Boutique brings accessible, affordable fashion to Historic Uptown

Bella8 Boutique opened on Saturday in Historic Uptown featuring size inclusive options for the career woman in search of trendy clothing at an affordable price.

Bella8’s mission is to make professional, stylish clothing that caters to both straight (XS to L) and plus size women. This means the 700 square foot storefront at 501 Dr. MLK Jr. Street North will be filled with a wide selection of clothing ranging from size S to 3X. EJ Barkett of Barkett Realty represented the landlord in the lease signing.

Owner and St. Pete native, Shawntavia Turner, wanted to create a space that dresses career women of all shapes and sizes with clothing that is fashionable and contemporary. “We are going to have clothing selections that cover the full gamut, from night attire, event wear, and business casual clothing to swimwear and outerwear.”

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