January 17, 2024

Aldi supermarket sets opening date for new store near Tyrone Square Mall in west St. Pete

January 17, 2024/ Anthony Close

Good news for residents in west St. Petersburg! Aldi has announced the opening date for its newest store at 6765 22nd Avenue North near Tyrone Square Mall.

The discount supermarket chain will open its newest store on February 1st in a retail space formerly occupied by Hitchcock's Green Market and Lucky's Supermarket.

Aldi is planning several promotions to celebrate the opening including a sneak peak of the store on January 31st followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 1st at 8:30 A.M.

January 17, 2024

Construction on Sundial renovations to begin next month

January 17, 2024/ Brian Hartz

Renovations to downtown St. Pete’s Sundial shopping and dining complex, which were announced in early 2023, will break ground on February 1st.

The reimagined Sundial, located at 153 2nd Avenue North, will feature multimillion dollar improvements intended to revitalize the once upscale retail shopping center into a modern mixed-use urban destination. The plans were conceptualized and designed by local architect Behar and Peteranecz.

St. Pete-based Paradise Ventures and Tampa-based Ally Capital Group, which acquired the property in early 2022 for $21.13 million, signed a contract on Wednesday with Create Building Company, a full-service construction company based in St. Pete, to construct the renovation.

January 17, 2024

Mastry's Brewing Co. to build massive mixed-use brewery in Pinellas Park’s City Center District

January 17, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

St. Pete Beach’s first craft brewery Mastry's Brewing Co. is expanding its operations with a new manufacturing hub in Pinellas Park, serving as a centerpiece for the city’s emerging City Center District.

Matthew Dahm, founder and CEO of Mastry's Brewery, alongside partner Robert Czysczon of Plaza Beach Resorts, plans to build a new 5,000-plus-square-foot beverage manufacturing operation and a 16,000-square-foot market at 5805 Park Boulevard.

The site redevelopment is a major stepping stone for Pinellas Park, which has long planned to establish a true "downtown" stretching across 15 city blocks. According to the 2050 comprehensive plan, the new City Center District will encompass a new City Hall, a Public Safety (law enforcement, fire and emergency services) facility, residential and commercial uses, and public parks.

January 16, 2024

Chipotle to open new location in St. Pete’s Skyway Marina District

January 16, 2024/ Anthony Close

Permits have been filed for a new Chipotle Mexican Grill in St. Petersburg’s Skyway Marina District.

The fast-casual chain, known for its streamlined offerings of burritos and bowls, is set to open in the retail space of the Addison Skyway Marina Apartments at 3951 34th Street South.

The Addison is a 308-unit apartment building that opened in 2022 on the site of a former underutilized strip center that was previously home to a K-Mart store.

The development includes a four-story apartment building along with a retail outparcel building. The retail building is not currently built and will include a drive-thru.

January 15, 2024

118-year-old Peninsula Inn reopens after extensive renovations in Gulfport

January 15, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

The doors to the Peninsula Inn in the heart of Gulfport, FL have reopened following a significant renovation, bringing new amenities to the 118-year-old hotel.

Built in 1905, the iconic yellow hotel at 2937 Beach Boulevard South, now named the Peninsula Bed & Cocktails, functioned as a hospital during World War II.

In 2022, the boutique hotel, now named the Peninsula Bed & Cocktails, sold for just under $3 million to Florida House Realty Investments. The buying entity is connected to Gaston Gonzalez, co-founder of the Miami hotel group Casa Florida.

The group also purchased an adjacent property at 2913 Beach Boulevard South, which is home to The Wine House, known for their barbecue, charcuterie and, of course, a funky selection of wine.

January 12, 2024

Blast from the past: Former Hideaway Cafe space to become retro-themed bar The Neon Lunchbox

January 12, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

St. Pete patrons will get to reminisce about ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia in a new retro-themed bar coming to the former Hideaway Cafe space in the Grand Central District.

Tom Cruise blockbusters, iconic games from Nintendo, and music videos on MTV helped define the decades that two St. Pete restaurateurs want to pay homage to.

James Castetter and Chelsey Andrews, who owns The Half Baked Potato restaurant in downtown St. Pete, executed a lease in late December 2023 for 1756 Central Avenue to open their newest concept - The Neon Lunchbox.

"We are excited to bring to life what was once there with our spin on it," Andrews said, acknowledging Hideaway's 13-year history as one of St. Pete’s most beloved music venues.

January 11, 2024

Long-awaited affordable townhome community opens on 16th Avenue in South St. Pete

January 11, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

Construction workers are building out the last remaining units of the bright blue and white townhomes lining the corner of 16th Avenue and 9th Street South.

The 11 units in the Sixteenth Square Townhomes development - outfitted with granite kitchen countertops, wood floors, and modern finishes - are all affordable homes for residents earning up to 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

The $3 million-plus project developed by St. Petersburg-based homebuilder Namasté Homes first broke ground at 1523 Dr. MLK Jr. Street South in 2020.

January 11, 2024

Floridian Social Club is for sale, but legacy may continue

January 11, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

The Floridian Social Club, previously known as the State Theatre, has stood the test of time - outliving St. Pete’s other historic performance venues - and the owner wants it to continue to serve the community for another 100 years.

"Yes, it's for sale, but I'm not going anywhere. I’m staying in St. Pete," owner Kevin Chadwick said. "What's important to me is finding the right equity and operating partner who can take the club to the next level."

Although Chadwick desires to be part of the Floridian Social Club’s future, he is willing to completely step away and hand over the keys to the right buyer.

Chadwick is working with Wendy Giffin, Managing Director of commercial real estate group Cushman and Wakefield, in securing a new partner.

January 10, 2024

105-unit affordable townhome project planned for St. Petersburg College site in west St. Pete

January 10, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

The City of St. Petersburg is taking the next step towards turning a St. Petersburg College property in west St. Pete into an affordable housing development for students and staff.

This week, the St. Petersburg Community Planning and Preservation Commission voted to approve a rezoning land use amendment paving the way for the city to purchase SPC's former Gibbs Wellness Center property.

The city plans to build 105 affordable workforce townhomes with 30% of the units reserved for students, teachers, and faculty. The eligible students and faculty will have the right of first refusal to purchase the homes.

January 10, 2024

First look at three-story steakhouse planned for historic bank building in downtown St. Pete

January 10, 2024/ Brian Hartz

A year after it was first announced, the historic Union Trust bank building, at 895 Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg, is on track to be reborn as J. Fiore’s Contemporary Steakhouse, an upscale steak and seafood restaurant, set to open in mid-2024.

The renovation of the property’s basement, ground floor, and mezzanine has been a major undertaking, requiring substantial planning, design, and construction.

“We are all-hands-on-deck right now,” said St. Pete-based entrepreneur Jim Fiore. “The 2,000-square-foot extension of the mezzanine is complete and the HVAC, plumbing, and electric is all being installed as we speak.”