October 09, 2018

Opening Date Revealed for Downtown St. Pete's Dr. BBQ

October 09, 2018/ Brian Zucker

It’s been over two long years since we first broke the news of Dr. BBQ coming to Downtown St Pete. And now the day has finally come. We have an opening date — October 17th. Located in the trendy EDGE District of St. Petersburg at 1101 1st Avenue South, Dr. BBQ is a New American smokehouse that celebrates regional and international ingredients by combining diverse flavors from around the world into classic barbecue dishes with a twist.

Dr. BBQ’s menu features dishes influenced by barbecue techniques seen not only across the country, but also across the globe. Diners can expect a range of flavors, including sauces like Korean gochujang and North African harissa. While Dr. BBQ will have a wide variety of meat including Certified Angus Beef and Compart Duroc pork, the menu will also be inclusive for guests of all diets, offering vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes beyond the usual salad and mac and cheese.

October 01, 2018

11-Story Boutique Hotel Unveiled for St. Pete’s EDGE District

October 01, 2018/ Brian Zucker

I have to admit, out of the entire Tampa Bay area, I spend most of my time in the EDGE District of Downtown St. Petersburg. And I’m definitely not alone. Take a stroll down Central Avenue and you’ll notice locals enjoying lattes at Intermezzo, cubans at Bodega, shopping at Ashe Couture Boutique and much more.

In fact, there is usually more activity in the EDGE District than in any other downtown neighborhood, including the downtown core. Most impressively, the growth of the area has been organic and smart, rather than overly manufactured or master-planned. It has nearly everything you’d want in an urban, walkable neighborhood. With so much character and personality, it’s no surprise that the EDGE District is on the verge of evolving from a locals-only hangout to an out-of-towner destination.

September 10, 2018

Saint James Townhomes Planned for 8th Street in Downtown St. Pete

September 10, 2018/ Anthony Close

With demand high for townhomes in Downtown St. Petersburg, it is becoming more common for projects to sell out, sometimes months, before completion. But if you’re currently in the market, you might be in luck as a new boutique development will soon be under construction on the southeast corner of 8th Street South and 3rd Avenue South.

Located just three blocks south of Central Avenue, the Saint James Townhomes will feature eight, three-story units each consisting of 1,700 square feet with 3 beds and three and a half bathrooms. The project is being developed by local developer Jay Miller, President of J2 Developers, who also developed Quattro Beach Drive and the Trader Joe’s on 4th Street.

September 05, 2018

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

September 05, 2018/ Brian Zucker

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.

August 24, 2018

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

August 24, 2018/ Anthony Close

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.

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.”