Downtown favorite Paradeco Coffee Roasters opens stunning new waterfront location in south St. Pete

Downtown favorite Paradeco Coffee Roasters opens stunning new waterfront location in south St. Pete

Downtown St. Petersburg’s beloved Paradeco Coffee Roasters is bringing its signature blend of specialty coffee and Art Deco charm to the waterfront with a second location in the Skyway Marina District.

The specialty coffee shop and cafe, which currently operates in the Plaza Tower & Courtyard Shops in downtown St. Pete, has quietly debuted at the newly revamped SkyBeach Resort, located at 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane South.

The new poolside coffee spot, which features an impressive 3D-printed bar made from renewable and recyclable materials, is one of the latest additions to the 18-acre property, formerly known as the Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove, which recently underwent a significant rebrand and renovation after being purchased.

Impressed by the waterfront setting and extensive renovations at SkyBeach, husband-and-wife duo Thomas Maloney and Sonya Sarkar hope to replicate their downtown success in the resort’s more relaxed, coastal environment.

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Home of the Week: A 1938-built home in St. Pete's enchanting Driftwood neighborhood

Home of the Week: A 1938-built home in St. Pete's enchanting Driftwood neighborhood

A 1938-built home nestled in the heart of the enchanting Driftwood neighborhood is St. Pete Rising’s Home of the Week.

Located at 2521 Driftwood Road SE, this 2,400-square-foot residence offers an unparalleled living experience in Driftwood, one of St. Petersburg’s most sought-after neighborhoods located on Big Bayou just south of 22nd Avenue South.

This Minimal Traditional home with English Traditional Vernacular influences was designed by nationally renowned artist Mark Dixon Dodd and prominent local architect Archie Parish, whom both crafted 19 homes in Driftwood between the 1930s and 1940s.

The home boasts three bedrooms, each with a renovated ensuite bath, as well as high vaulted ceilings and wide-plank oak flooring that enhance its airy ambiance.

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Exclusive: Foot Locker signs 110,000-square-foot lease for global headquarters in north St. Pete

Exclusive: Foot Locker signs 110,000-square-foot lease for global headquarters in north St. Pete

Global athletic retailer Foot Locker has secured space for its new worldwide headquarters in St. Petersburg, a move that is expected to create 150 high-paying jobs.

The New York-based company has signed a lease for 110,000 square feet at 570 Carillon Parkway in the Carillon Business Park, multiple sources confirmed to St. Pete Rising.

The company will be located on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th floor, occupying space previously leased to Protect My Car and Tata Consulting Services.

According to previous documents, the company plans to lease the office space for 11 to 13 years.

Other tenants in the 250,000-square-foot building include Zelis Payments, Condominium Associates, D&A Services, LLC, American Coastal Insurance, and Monopoly Group Real Estate.

Built in 1998, the Class A office building at 570 Carillon was acquired by The Feil Organization in 2019 for $36.8 million. The building features an on-site café, fitness center, and FedEx drop box, and has recently undergone extensive renovations to its lobby and common areas.

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Melting Pot fondue restaurant announces opening date for new downtown St. Pete location

Melting Pot fondue restaurant  announces opening date for new downtown St. Pete location

After shuttering its long-standing location on 4th Street in 2020, the Melting Pot is finally making its return to St. Petersburg on April 7th.

Front Burner Brands, the Tampa-based company that manages the Melting Pot brand of fondue restaurants, will open its new 4,900-square-foot restaurant at 699 Central Avenue on the corner of 7th Street and Central Avenue.

“We’re thrilled to return to St. Petersburg, especially as we celebrate 50 years of fondue and unforgettable memories,” said Melting Pot CEO Bob Johnston.

“Melting Pot has been part of this community for 30 years, and guest demand made it clear—we needed to come back. This new Central Avenue location brings a fresh, modern take on the fondue experience we’re known for, and we can’t wait to welcome both new and returning guests.”

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St. Pete Beach wine bar Sip finds new home in downtown St. Pete

St. Pete Beach wine bar Sip finds new home in downtown St. Pete

The coastal-casual wine bar and shop, Sip, is leaving St. Pete Beach and bringing its curated wine selection and events to downtown St. Pete.

Currently operating until the end of March at 6710 Gulf Boulevard, Sip will relocate to a 700-square-foot space on the ground floor of the 5th Ave Loft Apartments at 442 2nd Street North in downtown St. Pete.

The space was previously home to Must Wine Loft, a European-style wine and cheese destination that closed late last year.

“It’s time to leave the beach,” Sip owner Christiane Hall told St. Pete Rising.

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Plate Sushi Grill & Lounge, from the owner of Mangosteen, coming to Grand Central District

Plate Sushi Grill & Lounge, from the owner of Mangosteen, coming to Grand Central District

The owner of several local Asian fusion restaurants is launching a new casual fine dining concept in the Grand Central District.

Plate Sushi Grill and Lounge is bringing an exciting menu featuring Laos-style tacos, octopus ceviche, and yakitori (Japanese skewers) to the ground floor of the Arte luxury apartment building at 1601 Central Avenue, on the corner of 16th Street and Central Avenue.

The new 3,900-square-foot restaurant is the latest concept from Sean Thongsiri, who also owns Mangosteen, The Crane, The Glass Noodle, and Green Pagoda.

Plate is expected to open this summer, business partner Matt Pengtakoon shared in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

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Sprouts Farmers Market is now open in Largo

Sprouts Farmers Market is now open in Largo

Niche grocer Sprouts Farmers Market has opened its new Largo store, offering farm-fresh natural and organic foods.

This morning, local management and city officials celebrated the grand opening at 2156 East Bay Drive in the Keene Plaza Shopping Center.

The new 23,266-square-foot Largo store is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

To celebrate the grand opening, from Friday, March 21st, through Sunday, a variety of activities will take place, including a “pop-up party” featuring seasonal produce at a tasting bar, a “guess the weight” contest with an oversized piece of produce, and more, according to the company's announcement.

The first 200 shoppers on Friday and Saturday will receive a free reusable goodie bag filled with special products and samples. Additionally, the first 400 guests on Friday will receive a free long-stem rose, courtesy of Falcon Farms Floral.

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New Howard Frankland Bridge opens next week after four years of construction

New Howard Frankland Bridge opens next week after four years of construction

After four years of construction, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will open the new Howard Frankland Bridge on Tuesday, March 25th.

Weather permitting, traffic will be shifted onto the new bridge late Monday night into early Tuesday morning.

FDOT officials will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, March 24th, at 10 a.m. for the new $865 million span, which serves motorists traveling on Interstate 275 between Tampa and St. Petersburg.

The new bridge features eight lanes: four general-use lanes in each direction, two tolled express lanes southbound (toward St. Petersburg), and two tolled express lanes northbound (toward Tampa).

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Chef Ted Dorsey’s highly anticipated Sunshine City Tavern opens next week in St. Pete

Chef Ted Dorsey’s highly anticipated Sunshine City Tavern opens next week in St. Pete

Chef Ted Dorsey, known for launching some of the area’s most popular restaurants, is set to open a new throwback neighborhood restaurant and bar on Monday, March 24.

Brisket fresh from the smoker, locally sourced seafood, and inventive cocktails take center stage at Sunshine City Tavern, located at 4351 4th Street North.

The 3,500-square-foot space was most recently home to Oaks on 4th, which closed in late 2023.

Designed as a tribute to St. Pete’s history, the tavern features a modern coastal aesthetic with teal walls, white wooden tables, wicker chairs, and a vibrant mural by local artist Kaitlin Ramirez, also known as Swirly Painter.

Dorsey, a restaurant industry veteran with decades of experience, has previously opened Sonata, The Mill, Ciro’s, Boca, and Copperfish.

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New coastal restaurant SouthSeas Tapas to open at SkyBeach Resort in St. Pete

New coastal restaurant SouthSeas Tapas to open at SkyBeach Resort in St. Pete

A tropical-themed restaurant and bar with French and Asian influences will debut inside St. Pete’s SkyBeach Marina and Resort.

Located at 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane South, just beyond the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, SouthSeas Tapas will honor the property's history as the former Outrigger Inn—a beloved 1960s retreat known for its Polynesian dining, lush décor, exotic cocktails, and Hawaiian-inspired performances.

"While researching the former Outrigger Inn, we stumbled upon vintage advertisements and promotional materials for the hotel's restaurant, including a vintage cocktail menu. These served as our inspiration for SouthSeas Tapas, including how we decided to name the restaurant," said Executive Chef of SkyBeach Hotel and Marina Chef Tom Legg.

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