Historically St. Pete: The enchanting history of Gulfport's Hotel Rolyat, now Stetson College of Law

/
Historically St. Pete: The enchanting history of Gulfport's Hotel Rolyat, now Stetson College of Law

At St. Pete Rising, we are constantly providing comprehensive coverage on everything new and coming soon to the Sunshine City, but we think it’s also important to take a look back at our city's rich history.

Historically St. Pete, a monthly column on St. Pete Rising written by Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History Rui Farias, covers everything from the legend of underground mobster tunnels to the buildings and people that created the Sunshine City.

Follow us each month as we explore how these projects shaped St. Pete into the city we know and love today.

This month we explore the enchanting history of Hotel Rolyat, now the Stetson College of Law, and the mysterious New York City developer who built the beautiful Mediterranean Revival-style hotel and then vanished as quickly as he arrived.

Read More

Local urban farm debuts whimsical outdoor dining area in St. Pete

/
Local urban farm debuts whimsical outdoor dining area in St. Pete

Tomatoes growing on twisted vines, heads of purple cabbage, and other leafy greens are among the dozens of crops sprouting at a half-acre lot in the heart of St. Petersburg that's been transformed into a thriving educational urban farm.

15th Street Farm, a nonprofit located at 342 15th Street North, is expanding its footprint and impact in the community.

Business leaders and St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce members recently gathered at 15th Street Farm, cutting a ceremonial ribbon celebrating the addition of a new 2,000-square-foot building that houses a kitchen with a baking station and spacious walk-in cooler, a wood-fired brick oven, and a 60-seat whimsical outdoor dining area surrounded by rows of crops.

Read More

Triathlon retail shop Playtri to open in the Grand Central District

/
Triathlon retail shop Playtri to open in the Grand Central District

With only one week left in 2024, resolutions of starting on a new fitness journey are expected to kick off and a new retail store for runners, bikers, and swimmers is coming soon to the Grand Central District that will those get a head start.

Playtri, a Dallas-based franchise specializing in supplying bikes and apparel to triathletes, is expanding to St. Pete with a new store at 2132 Central Avenue.

The space was most recently home to Jeeves Law Group, which has relocated 2100 1st Avenue South.

Read More

Wild Child owners to open martini-focused cocktail lounge Slim Charmer in Grand Central District

/
Wild Child owners to open martini-focused cocktail lounge Slim Charmer in Grand Central District

The team behind the popular Wild Child restaurant is opening a new intimate cocktail lounge in the Grand Central District early next year.

Tucked inside a charming, 1940s building adjacent to Wild Child’s patio at 2706 Central Avenue, Slim Charmer is the rebellious little sister of Wild Child and plans to offer a unique blend of bold, martini-focused cocktails and elevated, seasonal small plates.

Owned by Ron Reinsmith and Matt Kaye, the cozy 26-seat lounge is named after Kaye's wife (a former nickname of hers) and the 800-square-foot space the lounge will occupy.

The interior will boast a contemporary atmosphere inspired by New York City's metropolitan energy.

Read More

Done Deals: $250M condo project coming to Clearwater Beach, Affordable housing complex sells, St. Pete florist sells warehouse

/
Done Deals: $250M condo project coming to Clearwater Beach, Affordable housing complex sells, St. Pete florist sells warehouse

Done Deals is a weekly column by St. Pete Rising spotlighting recent real estate market insight and significant deals happening in the Sunshine City and beyond. The following information is sourced from public records and trusted intel.

Have real estate news to share? Send us an email at hello@stpeterising.com.

Read More

Former pro tennis player opens indoor pickleball facility in Largo

/
Former pro tennis player opens indoor pickleball facility in Largo

An industrial warehouse-turned-pickleball facility for professionals and amateur players is opening in Largo.

Former tennis professional and native Brandon Anandan has converted a 10,400-square-foot building at 8116 Ulmerton Road into Dink House, an indoor four-court asphalt pickleball club for players at all levels.

"The transition from tennis to pickleball was easy," Anandan said to St. Pete Rising. "I found myself competing and winning tournaments. With the long wait times and people not playing properly and hurting themselves, I saw a need for a place like this."

After completing the courts years ago, Anandan has finally got the green light through the permitting process for the club, which is currently open.

Read More

Pulpo, a new Latin and Peruvian-fusion restaurant and bar, debuts in the Grand Central District

/
Pulpo, a new Latin and Peruvian-fusion restaurant and bar, debuts in the Grand Central District

Pulpo Kitchen & Lounge, a Latin and Peruvian-inspired restaurant and bar from the owners of the popular Brick and Mortar restaurant in downtown St. Pete, has opened in the Grand Central District.

The restaurant at 2147 Central Avenue boasts turquoise booths, brass accents, and a menu featuring cocktails with a kick, a fully-charred octopus, and twists on traditional ceviche. The restaurant was first reported by St. Pete Rising in January 2023.

"You will not find anything else like this in St. Petersburg," General Manager and Beverage Director Dylan Ruhe said to Rising inside the new space.

Dylan is the cousin of owner Jason Ruhe. Ruhe and his wife, Hope Montgomery, are the same duo behind downtown St. Petersburg’s Brick & Mortar Kitchen + Wine Bar. Meanwhile, Chef Marcos Bernal from Sea Worthy is the head chef of Pulpo.

Pulpo, which translates to "octopus" in Spanish, will represent a marriage of cuisines from Central and South America, and influences from Peru and Mexico.

Read More

Classic vintage cocktail bar Tampa Bay Drinkery opens in the Grand Central District

/
Classic vintage cocktail bar Tampa Bay Drinkery opens in the Grand Central District

Green and beige velvet chairs, mismatched oriental rugs, antique clocks, and a grand piano on center stage are part of the eclectic atmosphere inside a new bar and music venue in St. Pete's Grand Central District.

Located at 2756 Central Avenue, Tampa Bay Drinkery is the brainchild of Wellington Moto, who’s part of the management team at Grumpy Gringo Liquors located next door to the new bar.

“I handpicked all of the vintage items here down to the lightbulbs,” Moto said to St. Pete Rising, showing a stack of vinyl records next to a grand piano.

Moto scoured auction houses, antique dealers, and collectors from around the country for the long-vacant space.

Read More

Pinellas County Commission approves $312.5M in bonds for new Rays stadium in St. Petersburg

/
Pinellas County Commission approves $312.5M in bonds for new Rays stadium in St. Petersburg

After a two-month delay, the Pinellas County Commission has voted to honor its commitment to financially support the development of a new $1.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays stadium.

At a Tuesday meeting, county commissioners voted 5-2 to allocate $312.5 million toward the construction of the 30,000-seat ballpark. The county’s share will be funded through existing tourist taxes collected on hotel stays and short-term rentals.

Newly elected commissioners Vince Nowicki and Chris Scherer voted against the proposal, while Commissioners Chris Latvala, Kathleen Peters, Dave Eggers, Rene Flowers, and Brian Scott voted in favor of approving the bonds.

Read More

Local roaster opens first cafe inside Sans Market in St. Pete's EDGE District

/
Local roaster opens first cafe inside Sans Market in St. Pete's EDGE District

After four years of micro-roasting out of a small garage in St. Pete, Sun Bear Specialty Coffee Roasters has opened its first cafe in the EDGE District.

Sun Bear has set up shop in the back of Sans Market, a zero-waste retail store located at 1037 Central Avenue, serving their farmer-forward single-origin coffee and espresso drinks.

The quaint cafe is outfitted with a wooden bar stacked on top of concrete blocks and a shelf stocked with retail bags of Sun Bear coffee beans sourced from international producers.

“I'm big on the farmers who produce the coffee and the process it goes through,” owner Kenny Beers said to St. Pete Rising.

Read More