December 07, 2020

The Collective, a wellness studio, brings yoga and meditation to 4th Street

December 07, 2020/ Stephanie Stott

A place to cultivate one’s inner zen might just be what 2020 ordered--and The Collective certainly delivers. For new yogis to seasoned experts alike, this space has something for everyone.

There’s something special about the Sunshine City--and Brittany George, co-owner of St. Pete’s newest wellness studio and gathering space, noticed. “The energy of the city was palpable,” George said. “There always seemed to be something going on and it felt like an inspiring place to be full time.”

After moving here nine years ago, George has certainly been busy, transforming from curious yoga student to resourceful wellness instructor. Add a certification in Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine), and it’s clear she has an overarching goal in mind: connecting the mind, body, and spirit.

December 04, 2020

Sorrento Sweets to bring Italian desserts and coffee to downtown St. Pete

December 04, 2020/ Stephanie Stott

A haven for St. Pete sugar-lovers is coming soon to 667 Central Avenue—and it’s all thanks to Sorrento Sweets.

The space was formerly home to Brew D Licious, a beloved coffee shop and 600 block staple for nine years before their closure in April amid COVID-19 struggles. The owners of Sorrento Sweets realize they have big shoes to fill, but couldn’t be more excited to join the downtown St. Pete community.

"As a Tampa Bay local, I've always loved St. Pete’s passion for coffee and support of small businesses," says Managing Parter Joseph Kelly. “Sorrento Sweets is ecstatic about bringing its authentic Italian desserts and coffee to St. Petersburg after looking for over a year for the perfect location."

December 01, 2020

Renderings reveal 28-story DeNunzio Group project at 450 1st Avenue North

December 01, 2020/ Anthony Close

The redevelopment of a surface parking lot in the heart of downtown St. Pete is closer to becoming a reality.

Back in February 2019, The DeNunzio Group, which is led by developer Dustin DeNunzio, entered into a contract with Christ United Methodist Church to purchase a 0.65 acre site at the southeast corner of 1st Avenue North and 5th Street

The church was in need of capitalization and began exploring the sale after determining the value of the underutilized land.

In December 2019, The DeNunzio Group closed on the lot for $5.3 million. To activate the parcel, the group is proposing a true mixed-use building unlike anything else offered downtown, with a range of uses including retail, office, hotel, residential, and public parking.

November 27, 2020

Bodega just opened a secret cocktail bar behind their restaurant

November 27, 2020/ Brian Zucker

Around 7PM on Wednesday night, the Bodega on Central Instagram account posted a story that read, “A little brass birdie said there is a hidden door in the back of Bodega, slide it open to see what’s in store!”

I had to investigate. So, I drove to the Cuban joint’s beautiful new space located at 1180 Central Avenue in the EDGE District. The employees were tidying up and getting ready to close, but I walked to the back of the restaurant towards an unmarked sliding door near the restrooms.

Once I stepped inside, I was transported to what felt like an upscale, modern cocktail bar in Havana, Cuba. The space, which I learned is called Bar Chica, has gorgeous teal-colored walls, matching teal chairs, brass tables and bar top, and light brown leather booth seating.

The bar has an intimate vibe and only room for about 20 people inside, including five seats at the bar.

November 23, 2020

Buddy Brew Coffee is finally opening a café in St. Pete

November 23, 2020/ Brian Zucker

The 1,820 square foot coffee shop and café will be the eighth location for Buddy Brew Coffee and the first in Pinellas County. Owners Susan and Dave Ward currently operate five locations in Tampa (with a sixth on the way) and one in Sarasota.

The new outpost will be located at 2424 4th Street North in a new retail strip that was constructed following the demolition of the former Holiday Motel.

What started out as a hobby of roasting coffee beans at home has become a successful business spanning numerous cafés and Buddy Brew products in Publix stores all over the state of Florida.

November 16, 2020

The Chelsea, a new coffee shop, is coming soon to St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District

November 16, 2020/ Brian Zucker

A new coffee shop is coming soon to the Warehouse Arts District of St. Pete that mixes the style of a big-city locale with a friendly, casual Florida vibe and local St. Petersburg flavor.

The Chelsea will be located at 2462 5th Avenue South. Florida native and longtime St. Pete resident Teresa Vidal Chalkley has been working on this concept for years alongside her husband and business partner Jamie Chalkley and they are nearly ready to debut it to the public.

The coffee shop itself will operate out of a modestly sized 800 square foot building, but the 2,000 square foot outdoor courtyard is where The Chelsea will really shine.

November 10, 2020

Reflection, a proposed 18-story condo tower, exceeds $20M in reservations in two months

November 10, 2020/ Anthony Close

Two months ago when sales launched for Reflection St. Pete, a condominium tower planned near Mirror Lake in downtown St. Petersburg, many saw the location as pioneering.

Situated west of the downtown core, the area was untested for an 18-story condominium tower of this size. The thesis for the development is that there is demand for upscale condominium units within close proximity to the Central Arts District and the booming EDGE District. It appears they were right.

Despite COVID-19 and potential economic uncertainty, sales have exceeded initial expectations with over $20 million in reservations so far.

November 09, 2020

Popular downtown Thai restaurant, Pin Wok & Bowl, opening new concept in the EDGE District

November 09, 2020/ Brian Zucker

When Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine opened in the EDGE District over 10 years ago, the neighborhood looked a lot different. In fact, the area wasn’t even known as the EDGE District back then, but the Dome District.

The building currently occupied by Dr. BBQ was then home to Cast Steel Products. Red Mesa Mercado was Simple Living, a furniture store, and the Enigma nightclub was a shop called Interior Motives that sold art, antiques and frames. There were also a ton of vacant storefronts. And to be honest, it wasn’t really a part of town that many people wanted to hang out in.

Over the years, as Beach Drive rents skyrocketed, development started to creep west toward the EDGE District. Before long, Green Bench Brewing moved in, Bodega opened their doors, and Ashe Couture Boutique set up shop.

Today, the EDGE District is one of most popular neighborhoods for food, nightlife, and shopping not only in downtown St. Pete, but in all of Tampa Bay.

But all good things must come to an end.

October 30, 2020

12-story residential building planned for St. Pete's EDGE District

October 30, 2020/ Anthony Close

A lot featuring a signature building and surface parking lot in St. Pete’s EDGE District could soon be redeveloped according to documents that were recently submitted to the City of St. Petersburg.

Silver Sands LLC, which purchased the property at 900 Central Avenue in 2019 for $5.75 million, filed site plan review documents in August for a 12-story mixed-use building at the southwest corner of Central Avenue and Dr. MLK Jr. Street. The intersection serves as the eastern gateway for the EDGE District, a burgeoning downtown neighborhood that extends from Dr. MLK Jr. Street to 16th Street between 1st Avenue North and 1st Avenue South.

October 27, 2020

St. Pete’s first dog waterpark and bar coming to the Grand Central District

October 27, 2020/ Stephanie Stott

A passion for animals was all Natalie Conner needed to follow her dream: creating Mutts and Martinis, St. Pete’s first doggie waterpark and full-liquor bar, coming soon to 2900 Central Ave in the Grand Central District. Chris Featherston of Barkett Realty represented the landlord in the deal. A Floridian for over 20 years, Conner wants to provide man’s best friend a place to dip a paw in, while the owners enjoy a couple of rounds.

Although we don’t know all of the details yet, the facts we do know are exciting. The front patio will feature a zero-entry splash pool, water sprays, and fountains. While you catch the latest sports games at the bar, rest assured your dog will be entertained at one of the many indoor play areas around the property, under the watchful eyes of the Mutts and Martinis staff.