August 23, 2018

'No Vacancy' Makes a Reservation for The EDGE District

August 23, 2018/ Brian Zucker

We were heartbroken last month when KINGS Street Food Counter announced plans to close their modern-style diner in Downtown St. Pete’s EDGE District. The eatery premiered three years ago at 937 Central Ave amid much fanfare thanks to a menu of creatively crafted grilled cheeses and hot dogs.

At the time, owner Stephen Schrutt was taking a big risk by opening KINGS in the EDGE District, which hadn’t yet gained the popularity it has today. The restaurant did well, but was ultimately overshadowed by Schrutt’s other Downtown St Pete concepts — theAvenue and Park & Rec.

If there is a silver lining to the end of KINGS, it is what comes next. We can now confirm that a brand-new restaurant and bar concept by the Hunger + Thirst Group will be opening at 937 Central Ave — No Vacancy. Get ready to soak in those vintage Florida vibes because No Vacancy is brining everything but the sand to Downtown St. Pete!

August 07, 2018

A 25-story residential tower is proposed for 2nd Street in Downtown St. Pete

August 07, 2018/ Anthony Close

It’s getting difficult to keep up with all of the new development happening in Downtown St. Petersburg, FL. From new residential projects being announced to new dessert eateries opening, there’s never a shortage of exciting news about the future of our downtown.

Yesterday we reported on a conceptual plan for a 150,000 square foot office development which could potentially bring 300 new jobs to Downtown St. Petersburg and transform the 800 block of 1st Avenue South. And just last week it was announced that ONE St. Petersburg, a 41-story condo building under construction at 100 1st Avenue North, has sold out -- six months before completion.

Building off of ONE St. Petersburg’s success, a new residential tower could soon rise less than a half mile away at the corner of 3rd Avenue North and 2nd Street North where the Sundial valet parking lot and retailer Fit 2 Run currently sits.

August 06, 2018

Downtown St. Pete may see its first significant office development in 12 years

August 06, 2018/ Anthony Close

Downtown St. Pete may get its first new office building in nearly three decades if the city accepts an offer from UPC Insurance to expand it’s headquarter’s to a lot along 1st Avenue South. The city has long discussed offering Jabil this site in an attempt to lure them into building a new corporate headquarters in Downtown St. Pete. However, when Jabil ultimately chose to rebuild and expand its existing office complex in North St. Pete, UPC took notice and began exploring plans of their own.

On July 19, 2018, the City of St. Pete received a letter from UPC Insurance stating their desire and intent to acquire the entire 800 block of 1st Avenue South for the purposes of constructing and occupying a new corporate headquarters.

UPC Insurance currently owns a 42,000 square foot building across the street at 800 2nd Avenue South, which formerly housed the Downtown St. Pete AAA office, as well as a smaller 8,000 square foot building at 724 2nd Avenue South. They also currently lease a parking lot from the city which is adjacent to their 800 2nd Avenue South building.

July 17, 2018

Nitally’s Thai-Mex finds a new home…and it’s not in St. Pete

July 17, 2018/ Brian Zucker

Back in May, the owners of Nitally’s took to Facebook to announce the closure of their popular Thai-Mex fusion restaurant at 2462 Central Avenue in Downtown St. Pete. News traveled quickly thanks to Nitally’s cult-like following. After all, where else in town can you go to get a green curry burrito or panang mole?

Owners Nit Jintaseranee and Ally Valdez have spent the last 10 years building an audience for their own brand of cuisine. But unfortunately for them, the decision to shut down was out of their hands. Their building had been sold and the new owners chose to go in a different direction.

June 05, 2018

Ice Cream and Booze Collide at Beans and Barlour, Coming to Downtown St Pete

June 05, 2018/ Brian Zucker

I might be in trouble. Two of my favorite indulgences are about to make a head-on collision — ice cream and alcohol. In a first for Tampa Bay, a brand new craft coffee bar and dessert lounge is bringing alcohol-infused ice cream to Downtown St Pete’s Central Arts District.

Beans & Barlour (yes, Barlour) will be located at 538 1st Avenue North, flanked by St. Pete Brewing Company and Angelo’s Grill and Bar. The new restaurant concept is being brought to life by Story Stuart, former owner of Story Brooke Craft Coffee Bar in the Old Southeast, and business partner Steve Bliven.

“The food scene downtown is booming right now with new restaurants opening on what seems like a weekly basis,” says Stuart. “We saw a huge opportunity to compliment them with a dessert concept that is brand new to the Tampa Bay Area.”

May 15, 2018

St. Pete’s Coast Bike Share Gains Momentum In Year Two

May 15, 2018/ Anthony Close

In 2015, St. Pete had a vision to bring bike share to downtown and nearly two years later, in February 2017, a blue fleet of 300 bikes launched at over 30 stations. But seeing bike share come to fruition was no easy feat. It took months of outreach and hours of public input to develop a system that was right for St. Pete.

Now, with one year of service under its belt, Coast is moving full steam ahead, and is using data from its first year of operations to improve and better serve the community. Last week, Coast presented its One Year Report to City Council and revealed some of the numbers behind the operation.

April 24, 2018

St. Pete Developer Becomes Florida’s First Real Estate Development B Corp

April 24, 2018/ Anthony Close

Real estate developers are often criticized for not respecting the fabric of existing communities and for being too profit-driven. It is these issues, among others, that often lead to neighborhood groups and residents opposing new development, particularly when a project is being proposed by an out-of-town developer.

But one local developer hopes to change these notions by giving back to the community and encouraging other businesses to do the same. Salt Palm Development, located at 3446 1st Avenue North in St. Pete, was recently certified as the first B Corp real estate development company in the southeastern United States.

April 12, 2018

Key West Taco Joint to Debut on the 600 Block

April 12, 2018/ Brian Zucker

The 600 block of Downtown St. Pete continues its transformation into a foodie destination. Amigos Tortilla Bar, a Mexican restaurant that bills itself as the “Home of the Square Taco” will occupy two parcels located at 681 Central Avenue that have sat vacant for nearly a year and a half.

Owners Jack Anderson, Jesse Anderson and Eric Sindone opened up the only other Amigos location in Key West in 2010. The trio had always wanted to expand, but decided to patiently wait for the right opportunity. That opportunity presented itself when former Amigo's manager, Samuel Haverl, moved to St. Pete three years ago. Haverl will share ownership in the St. Pete location.

“We’re all very excited to see what’s happening in this city and are very much looking forward to being a part of it,” says Haverl. The St. Pete location will only serve lunch and dinner at first, but breakfast may be offered down the road.

March 27, 2018

Overflow Brewing Company Tapped for Downtown St. Pete

March 27, 2018/ Brian Zucker

There is about to be more beer brewing in the Burg! Troy Bledsoe, local homebrew legend and former Head Brewer at Rapp Brewing, has teamed up with Ryan Sarno and Jessica Holder to bring Overflow Brewing Company to Downtown St. Pete this April.

The tasting room and brewery will be housed in a converted 2,800 square foot office building located at 770 1st Avenue North. A huge bar has been built in the middle of the room, with a sports corner on one side and a lounge area on the other. Outdoor seating will also be available. Jessica Holder, the tasting room manager, explains, “We want Overflow Brewing to feel like home, for people to walk in and feel that moment of zen.”

Located less than one block off of Central Avenue, directly behind the Morean Arts Center, Overflow Brewing will make it even easier to brewery hop in Downtown St. Pete. The new digs will be less than half a mile from St Pete Brewing Company, Cycle Brewing, and Green Bench Brewing Company.

March 19, 2018

A Vision Emerges for 400 Central Avenue

March 19, 2018/ Brian Zucker

This article has been updated to clarify details unknown at date of original posting.

In the heart of Downtown St. Pete at 400 Central Avenue, a 2-acre plot of land sits ready for development. Historically, this site was home to the Pheil Hotel and Central National Bank building which spurred commerce along Central Avenue in the 1950s. In the 1960s, an aluminum facade was added to the buildings which prompted locals to refer to it as the “cheese grater” building. By 2006, the complex was abandoned and remained that way for over a decade.

Then in 2016, the site was put up for sale and in July of that year, it was announced that John Catsimatidis, a Greek-American businessman from New York City with deep family ties to St. Petersburg, would purchase the entire city block at 400 Central Avenue for redevelopment. Among Mr. Catsimatidis’ businesses is the Red Apple Group, a real estate company.