February 03, 2025

New fast-casual restaurant by P.F. Chang's, Pagoda Asian Grill, is now open in west St. Pete

February 03, 2025/ Brian Zucker

A new fast-casual restaurant by Arizona-based P.F. Chang’s has debuted in west St. Pete.

Pagoda Asian Grill held a grand opening celebration on Saturday at 1550 66th Street North.

The new concept is P.F. Chang’s answer to chains such as Chipotle or Cava, offering counter-service and take-out.

Diners can build a bowl or wrap by first selecting a base (white rice, brown rice, or soba noodles), choosing one of five protein options (grilled chicken, sriracha chicken, grilled steak, bulgogi steak, or roasted vegetables), picking out as many toppings as desired from a list of 17 options, and then finishing it off with one of eight sauces.

January 31, 2025

Local artist to debut new waterfront-inspired sculpture at 42-story Art House condo tower

January 31, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A modern sculpture inspired by St. Pete's waterfront will become a focal point for residents and guests entering the 42-story Art House condominium tower in downtown St. Pete.

South Florida-based developer Kolter Urban, which has developed two other condo projects in downtown St. Pete, has commissioned well-known St. Pete artist and sculptor Cecilia Lueza to create a stunning art piece for the new 244-unit luxury condo tower at 235 1st Avenue South.

“Similar to Art House, ALLURE [the sculpture] was heavily influenced by the beautiful waterfront community we enjoy here in St. Petersburg. My sculptures are about honoring and enriching nature, blending colors, shapes, and the rhythm of the earth to transform the space around us while creating a place where we feel connected,” Lueza said in a prepared statement.

January 31, 2025

Pete's Bagels team to open new cafe and coffee shop Seymour's in downtown St. Pete

January 31, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

The team behind the popular Pete's Bagels is opening a new spot for breakfast, lunch, and coffee in downtown St. Pete.

Seymour's will debut this February at 407 Central Avenue inside the historic Snell Arcade. The space was previously home to Samurai Cat Japanese Cafe and Bakery.

“We are excited to bring the Pete's vibe to downtown St. Pete. We will focus on having a full cafe and bakery with an old vintage St. Pete vibe in the Snell Arcade,” Owner Steven Peterman said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

“This will be more of a cafe experience - it won’t be a bagel shop like Pete’s.”

January 30, 2025

BayCare buys Barnes & Noble property in west St. Pete, plans emergency room facility

January 30, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A Barnes & Noble located across from the Tyrone Square Mall in west St. Pete will be converted into a freestanding emergency center.

BayCare Health System, which operates hospitals and health care centers throughout Tampa Bay, has purchased the 15,456-square-foot building at 2501 Tyrone BoulevardNorth from JWH Properties Inc. for $10 million, according to a deed recorded on January 29th.

This is the second Barnes & Noble the non-profit health care organization has purchased in Tampa Bay. In 2024, BayCare purchased a shuttered Barnes & Noble in Carrollwood for $10.5 million with plans to convert the property into an urgent care center.

Barnes & Noble representatives were not immediately available to confirm when the St. Pete store would close, nor whether the store would close permanently or move to another location.

The bookstore has been operating at this location in west St. Pete for 33 years.

January 29, 2025

Family-friendly Swell Coffee debuts in Largo with house-made syrups and baked goods

January 29, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A new cozy kid-friendly coffee shop has made its debut in Largo.

Swell Coffee, a specialty coffee shop with house-made syrups and pastries from local bakeries, celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, January 28th, near the corner of Bryan Dairy Road and Starkey Road at 11148 Starkey Road.

The 1,500-square-foot space was previously occupied by Subway.

“We looked at more than 30 spaces in a six-month window. We've had this space in July, but the hurricanes set us back on the opening date,” Sarah Cerny said.