January 23, 2025

Pepe's Cantina Mexican Grill to open in St. Pete's Kenwood neighborhood

January 23, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Pepe's Cantina Mexican Grill will soon bring its specialty margaritas, authentic Mexican cuisine, and fresh tableside guacamole to St. Pete's Kenwood neighborhood.

The expanding Central Florida-based franchise is opening its first Tampa Bay location at 3118 3rd Avenue North in the Shoppes at Kenwood.

The 2,275-square-foot space was previously home to the Cider Press Vegan GastroPub, which closed in October 2024, and before that, it housed the iconic LGBT bar Georgie’s Alibi.

January 22, 2025

Fitness retailer Fit2Run to open new store in Tyrone Square Mall in west St. Pete

January 22, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Fit2Run is expanding with plans to open a new athletic apparel store in St. Petersburg.

Fit2Run, a family-owned Bradenton-based business selling footwear and apparel for runners, will open a new store in February at Tyrone Square Mall at 6901 22nd Avenue North.

The store will open in space 840A, replacing the Furniture Distribution Center store, which has relocated in the mall.

The announcement of the second store comes a year after the fitness retailer announced it is opening a store at the ground floor of the Camden Central apartment complex, located at 855 Central Avenue.

January 21, 2025

46-story 400 Central condo tower tops out in downtown St. Pete

January 21, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Topping out at 515 feet tall, the roof of the 46-story Residences at 400 Central condominium tower has been poured — marking the completion of vertical construction for the tallest residential building on Florida's Gulf Coast.

New York billionaire John Catsimatidis Sr., founder of development company Red Apple Group, alongside select media members, met at the site on Saturday morning for an exclusive view from atop the tower being constructed at 400 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete.

Crews from Suffolk Construction are actively building out the Sky Lounge and Observatory on the 46th floor of the tower, which Catsimatidis Sr. refers to as the “Empire State Building of St. Pete.”

January 21, 2025

Home of the Week: A 1927-built Mediterranean Revival residence in Granada Terrace

January 21, 2025/ Anthony Close

This week’s featured home is a 1927 Mediterranean Revival residence located at 2311 Brevard Road NE in the Granada Terrace Historic District of Old Northeast. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom home offers 1,708 square feet of living space in one of St. Petersburg’s most historic and scenic neighborhoods.

Designed by C. Perry Snell, the home retains many original features, such as hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings with exposed wood beams, vintage glass doorknobs, and intricate chandeliers. The layout is centered around an open-air courtyard, creating a natural flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. A sunroom and the primary bedroom provide views of Coffee Pot Bayou.

January 20, 2025

Oakberry Açai sets opening date for downtown St. Pete location

January 20, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A Brazilian-born brand that specializes in açai bowls and smoothies has set an opening date for its first location in Tampa Bay.

Oakberry will welcome guests to its newest shop at 205 1st Street North in downtown St. Pete on Monday, January 27th. A grand opening is scheduled for 11:00 am on Saturday February 1st, where the first 100 customers will receive a free açai bowl.

The space that Oakberry occupies was formerly home to HaleLife Bakery, which relocated to the Warehouse Arts District last year.

The St. Pete shop is owned by local St. Pete resident Sarah Schermerton Murphy, who was introduced to the Oakberry brand while playing competitive volleyball matches in Brazil and California, where the company has a major presence.