Popular Asian-fusion food truck Shiso Crispy opening restaurant this weekend on Central Avenue

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Popular Asian-fusion food truck Shiso Crispy opening restaurant this weekend on Central Avenue

Shiso Crispy, a food-truck-based Asian fusion eatery, is moving from Pinellas Park to St. Petersburg’s EDGE District while simultaneously launching franchises in other cities and states.

Owner and Head Chef Ronicca Whaley, in an interview with St. Pete Rising, said she will open this weekend at 1431 Central Avenue. There will be a soft opening on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a full opening on Saturday.

“I’ve made this a really cool, vibey spot to go hang out and eat Shiso Crispy food,” Whaley said.

The space was previously occupied by a cheese shop operated by Brooklyn South and, before that, Gracie Pasta and Provisions.

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St. Pete Beach approves $500 million expansion of TradeWinds Island Resorts

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St. Pete Beach approves $500 million expansion of TradeWinds Island Resorts

After St. Pete Beach commissioners delayed voting on TradeWinds' proposed expansion plans last week, the owners have finally won their approval.

Following hours of debate that started Tuesday evening and bled into Wednesday morning, in a 3-2 vote, the commissioners narrowly approved a development agreement and conditional use permit (CUP).

The approval comes with a list of conditions for the redevelopment of the 25-acre beachfront resort at 5500 Gulf Boulevard on St. Pete Beach.

Commissioners Karen Marriott, Nick Filtz, and Richard Lorenzen voted in favor of the expansion plans. Mayor Adrian Petrila and Betty Rzewnicki cast the opposing votes.

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Popular Orlando restaurant Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine to open in St. Pete’s EDGE District

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Popular Orlando restaurant Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine to open in St. Pete’s EDGE District

An authentic Turkish restaurant serving chargrilled chicken kebap, fresh babaganoush, and slow-braised lamb shank is coming to Central Avenue this winter.

Bosphorous, which refers to the body of water that lies in the center of Istanbul and connects Europe to Asia, will take over a portion of the ground floor of the former Furnish Me Vintage building across the street from Hawkers Asian Street Food.

The building, located at 1246 Central Avenue, is part of a larger mixed-use development known as the EDGE Collective being brought to life by Miami-based PTM Partners and DoveHill Capital Management. Anchoring the project is a 163-key Moxy Hotel by Marriott, which is slated to open in June.

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Construction begins on 60-unit affordable housing project in south St. Pete

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Construction begins on 60-unit affordable housing project in south St. Pete

Construction has begun on the Bayou Court Apartments, a new affordable housing development in south St. Pete.

Situated near the southeast corner of Lake Maggiore at 4201 6th Street South, this new three-story affordable housing community is poised to address the housing needs of low- and moderate-income households in south St. Pete.

Gravel Road Partners, a Washington D.C.-based workforce and affordable housing developer, acquired the two-acre property in 2022 for $1.7 million.

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Texas iced tea franchise HTeaO brews plans for first drive-thru in Pinellas County

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Texas iced tea franchise HTeaO brews plans for first drive-thru in Pinellas County

Iced teas with bold fruity flavors from Sweet Georgia Peach to Mango Tango will be served at HTeaO's new planned Largo store. 

Texas-founded franchise HTeaO, an indoor and drive-thru iced tea restaurant chain, plans to expand its Florida footprint with a new storefront at 3460 East Bay Drive. 

HTeaO has over 100 drive-thru stores throughout the U.S., offering 26 flavors of unsweetened and sweetened tea, as well as iced coffees and chai lattes, which are available for purchase by the gallon. 

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