Art and fashion collide as SaltLight Art set to join the Grand Central District

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Art and fashion collide as SaltLight Art set to join the Grand Central District

A new incarnation of SaltLight Art, a women’s boutique with plenty of artistic flair, will open in October at 1916 Central Avenue, at the eastern end of the Grand Central District. 

The shop will carry a huge selection of products, such as bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, and artwork, created by artist and designer Mary Long, who co-owns SaltLight Art with her husband, William. The boutique will also offer clothing, bags, shoes, and gifts. 

The couple aren’t from St. Petersburg originally but got to know the city well because their daughter graduated from Eckerd College. In an interview with St. Pete Rising, Long said the plight of the city’s homeless population inspired them to move to St. Pete in 2015.

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Everything you need to know about next month’s SHINE Mural Festival in downtown St. Pete

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Everything you need to know about next month’s SHINE Mural Festival in downtown St. Pete

Downtown St. Pete is home to several world-class museums. The Dali Museum, The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art, The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, and the Imagine Museum are all incredible assets that could be in any major city in the world.

However, one of my favorite local collections of art isn’t in a museum. And it’s open 24 hours a day and completely free. I’m referring to the 650+ murals that are sprinkled throughout our beautiful city.

Over the past decade, artists from around the world have traveled to St. Pete to add color and character to our walls and many of those artists have come to the Sunshine City via the annual SHINE Mural Festival, which has contributed over 100 murals to our streets since its inception in 2015. 

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New coffee shop, juice bar, and fitness center coming to the Grand Central District

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New coffee shop, juice bar, and fitness center coming to the Grand Central District

St. Pete is experiencing a caffeinated renaissance, evolving into a city where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts through the air on every corner.

Last week, signs went up at the corner of Central Avenue and 18th Street advertising two new businesses coming soon to the Grand Central District.

Under Grounds Coffee & Juice Bar and Journey into Fitness will share a space on the ground floor of 1701 Central, a 243-unit, 5-story apartment building that opened in 2020.

Details are sparse, however according to the new signage, Under Grounds will feature all of your favorite espresso-based beverages, such as americanos, lattes, and cappuccinos, in addition to fresh-squeezed juices. The coffee shop will also contain patio seating fronting Central Avenue.

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Pour-your-own wine and beer bar The Study to open in Kenwood

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Pour-your-own wine and beer bar The Study to open in Kenwood

The Study, an intimate pour-your-own wine and beer lounge, is opening Friday September 15th at 3100 3rd Avenue North at the Shoppes of Kenwood in Historic Kenwood.

Jenna Malowany of KW Commercial represented the seller and Melinda Kulpa and Joe Esposito of KW Commercial represented The Study in the business sale transaction.

Owner Jeff Velazquez originally hails from San Diego, California, and is a former Marine Corps firefighter who saw action in Afghanistan and Iraq. After retiring, he moved to St. Pete — a decision that would pave the way for The Study.

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The Brass Dagger, a make-your-own jewelry shop, is coming soon to south St. Pete

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The Brass Dagger, a make-your-own jewelry shop, is coming soon to south St. Pete

Looking for a fun, unique, and hands-on activity you can enjoy with a group of friends or your significant other? Look no further! Get ready to unleash your creativity at The Brass Dagger, opening in October at 1435 4th Street South.

The make-your-own jewelry shop is the brainchild of owners Brianna Alfaro, who was born and raised in south St. Petersburg, and her husband, Fredo, a tattoo artist who has owned and operated Fredo Ink & Co. in St. Pete for more than a decade.

“I love the south side of St. Pete. I've lived here my entire life and I’ve always hated the stigma,” said Brianna in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “With Brass Dagger, I feel like we're just contributing to its greatness.”

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Habitat for Humanity moves forward on 64 affordable townhomes in south St. Pete

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Habitat for Humanity moves forward on 64 affordable townhomes in south St. Pete

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties is moving forward on a trio of projects in south St. Petersburg that will bring much needed homeownership opportunities to residents who have been priced out of the market.

The developments add up to a total of 64 units that will be priced for households making up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).

On Thursday, St. Petersburg City Council has unanimously approved the sale of a 0.55-acre parcel at 1805 18th Avenue South to Habitat for Humanity for the development of The Grove, which will contain at least 10 affordable townhomes.

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St Pete Pier to become Tampa Bay’s newest waterfront outdoor music venue

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St Pete Pier to become Tampa Bay’s newest waterfront outdoor music venue

This winter, the St. Pete Pier will become Tampa Bay’s newest waterfront outdoor music venue.

Throughout November, December, and January, Rise Up St. Pete will host at least 12 concerts at Spa Beach Park featuring national headliners like Lauv, Chelsea Cutler, G Eazy, QUINN XCII, and more.

More big names could be on the way too. Although not booked yet, organizers are in discussions with several other top tier national artists to play at the St. Pete Pier.

Situated on the waterfront with the downtown St. Pete skyline as a backdrop, the new concert series is set to deliver an unparalleled live music experience by transforming the iconic St. Pete Pier and Spa Beach Park into Florida’s next premier concert destination.

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Downtown St. Pete to host inaugural Orange Belt criterium cycling race in October

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Downtown St. Pete to host inaugural Orange Belt criterium cycling race in October

Whether you’re a cycling fanatic or a casual cruiser, the upcoming CRIT Championship Tour has something for you.

Orange Belt, a new organizer of cycling events based in St. Petersburg, is excited to host the CRIT Championship Tour, a criterium bike race in the heart of the EDGE District to be held on October 21, 2023.

A criterium, or crit, is a bike race consisting of several laps around a closed circuit. “Think of a criterium like NASCAR,” said Michael Rideout, who co-founded Orange Belt with Nathan Stonecipher. “We’re doing a set number of laps.”

This year’s CRIT Championship Tour takes place in the heart of The EDGE District between 11th and 15th Streets.

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Pete’s Bagels to open drive-thru location at historic gas station in south St. Pete

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Pete’s Bagels to open drive-thru location at historic gas station in south St. Pete

St. Petersburg’s oldest gas station will soon become a drive-thru café serving St. Pete’s finest bagels and coffee.

Pete’s Bagels has leased the historic Harbordale Standard Oil Station located at 2439 4th Street South adjacent to the historic Driftwood neighborhood in St. Pete. Owner Steven Peterman hopes to open the new drive-thru sometime in early 2024.

“We are tentatively calling it Pete’s Drive-Thru. It's going to be an express version of Pete’s Bagels,” said Peterman in an interview with St. Pete Rising. “We will be very coffee-focused too, especially because there isn't a lot of coffee down there.”

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Vertical construction begins on 40-unit Castille Urbana in downtown St. Pete

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Vertical construction begins on 40-unit Castille Urbana in downtown St. Pete

A construction milestone has been reached on Castille Urbana, the latest project by NJR Investment & Development Company.

The five-story building at 600 3rd Avenue South in downtown St. Petersburg will feature 40 condominiums with two- and three-bedroom floor plans, ranging from 1,158 to 1,650 square feet.

 The developer has announced the completion of the building’s podium and says vertical construction will begin ahead of schedule. The one-story podium will contain the building’s parking garage and lobby area and will be topped by four floors of condominium residences.

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