Roll It or Bowl It at Downtown St Pete’s Newest Eatery

Roll It or Bowl It at Downtown St Pete’s Newest Eatery

After 18 months of careful planning and preparation, Pacific Counter has finally opened their doors to the public. The eatery is the latest addition to the 600 block of Central Avenue, adding poke bowls and sushi burritos to an area of town becoming increasingly known as a culinary destination.

But lets back up for a second. What is poke? By definition, ‘poke’ means ‘to cut’ in Hawaiian and it refers to diced raw, marinated fish that is tossed with veggies and umami-loaded sauces and then served over a bed of rice. You can think of it as deconstructed sushi. Or if the trend continues to rise in popularity, you could consider poke the future of sushi in America.

Pacific Counter is the brainchild of three heavy hitters in the Tampa Bay restaurant scene — Tanner Loebel, Chitthasack Noythanongsay (known as Chef Tock), and Eric Bialik. And although poke and sushi burritos are available at a few Tampa Bay restaurants, the partners at Pacific Counter take these chef-driven dishes to an entirely new level.

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A midrise condo building is planned for 5th St S in Downtown St. Pete

A midrise condo building is planned for 5th St S in Downtown St. Pete

Downtown St. Pete continues to be one of the hottest neighborhoods in Tampa Bay with nearly 1,700 residential units currently under construction and an additional 1,900 units proposed in the greater downtown area. Even with those mind boggling stats, supply is still struggling to keep up as more and more people are finding out about Downtown St. Pete.

One street that has seen significant change in the past few years is 4th Avenue South near USF St. Pete and the Innovation District. Since 2014 multiple new developments have sprouted up along this corridor including: Campbell Landings, Camden Pier District (formerly known as AER), Urban Landings, and The Sabal. Additionally, an Alabama developer is planning a 20 story condo tower on the corner of 4th Avenue S and 3rd Street S. 

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'No Vacancy' Makes a Reservation for The EDGE District

'No Vacancy' Makes a Reservation for The EDGE District

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!

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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