January 27, 2025

Pinellas County approves over $5 million for 1,000-unit apartment community in west St. Pete

January 27, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A 1,000-unit apartment community proposed for west St. Pete is one step closer to reality after Pinellas County approved funding for the construction of the project, which will contain 300 units for workforce housing.

On January 14th, Pinellas County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved $5.25 million for the construction of the first phase of Azalea Gateway, set to rise at 1501 72nd Street North near Azalea Park.

The approved county funds are contingent upon the City of St. Pete approving an additional $6 million for phase one construction. St Pete City Council is expected to vote on the funding request in February.

January 24, 2025

Boho-inspired cafe Crave Coffee + Market to open in Seminole

January 24, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A new coffee spot serving locally made bagels and pastries is opening in Seminole.

Couple Charles and Brittany Frost are weeks away from opening for their new cafe, Crave Coffee + Market, located at 9358 Oakhurst Road in the Publix-anchored Oakhurst Plaza.

The shop will open this spring in a space previously home to coffee shop AuLeche.

"Our family mantra is 'create what you crave.' We are embracing our love of coffee and passion for bringing the community together," Brittany said to St. Pete Rising.

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.”