The Moon Under Water finds new home in Gulfport after decades on Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete

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The Moon Under Water finds new home in Gulfport after decades on Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete

Four years after closing its iconic Beach Drive location, The Moon Under Water is preparing for a comeback. This time in Gulfport.

The authentic British Colonial pub, known for its creamy stouts and spicy curries, will reopen by the end of the year at 2832 Beach Boulevard South. The space was most recently occupied by The Drunken Taco, which posted a “Closed Forever” sign on its door on Monday, September 1st.

Earlier this year, Kevin and Jeanne Milkey, owners of Grand Central Brewhouse, revealed that they were working with Mike Crippin, who served as The Moon Under Water’s Executive Chef for more than two decades, and his wife Alison, who was the restaurant’s HR and office manager for 20 years, to bring the restaurant back to downtown St. Pete, just steps from its former Beach Drive home.

However, those plans ultimately fell through, opening the door to the Gulfport opportunity.

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FS8, a Pilates-Yoga hybrid, set to open in the Grand Central District this fall

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FS8, a Pilates-Yoga hybrid, set to open in the Grand Central District this fall

A new kind of fitness experience is headed to downtown St. Petersburg.

Later this fall, FS8, a fast-growing brand created by the team behind F45 Training, will open its first Tampa Bay location at 2541 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

Behind the project are St. Pete locals Kate Dworsky and Heather Avery, two fitness professionals passionate about helping people reach their goals while building community along the way.

The pair signed their lease in January and have spent the past several months navigating the permitting process.

With approvals in hand, construction is now underway inside the former Lion’s Paw Antiques & Collectables building.

FS8 blends reformer and mat Pilates, yoga, and strength training into 50-minute classes designed to be approachable yet challenging.

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Renderings reveal what the Woodson African American Museum could become in St. Pete

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Renderings reveal what the Woodson African American Museum could become in St. Pete

The Woodson African American Museum of Florida, currently located at 2240 9th Avenue South, has unveiled a bold vision for a new home designed to honor the past, inspire the future, and serve as a cultural anchor for St. Pete.

The new 40,000-square-foot museum concept, designed by Everald Colas of St. Pete-based Storyn Studio for Architecture, is envisioned for the corner of 15th Street and 1st Avenue South, currently Lot 5 of Tropicana Field and across from Fusion 1560.

As striking as the renderings are, the proposed design faces major hurdles, including securing a site for the new museum and reaching ambitious fundraising goals.

The property was previously part of the Rays/Hines redevelopment plans for the Historic Gas Plant District, which was officially scrapped in July.

When the Rays walked away, they relinquished their development rights to the land, enabling the city to redevelop portions of the site before the end of the team’s use agreement.

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City plans $51 million expansion of Enoch D. Davis Center and Johnson Library in south St. Pete

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City plans $51 million expansion of Enoch D. Davis Center and Johnson Library in south St. Pete

The City of St. Petersburg is preparing to embark on a $51 million project to reimagine the Enoch D. Davis Center and James Weldon Johnson Community Library in south St. Pete.

The city is seeking a qualified construction manager to oversee the creation of a new 53,000-square-foot shared facility at 1111 18th Avenue South.

The request for qualifications (RFQ) was advertised on August 18, with proposals due by September 25.

The 18,000-square-foot Enoch D. Davis Center, opened in 1981, currently offers human services, multipurpose halls, a fitness center, and other amenities.

Next door, the 14,000-square-foot James Weldon Johnson Community Library provides study and reading areas, a makerspace with tech equipment, and upgraded computer programs. Originally housed within the Davis Center, the library relocated to its current site in 2002.

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New affordable apartment community opens near the Skyway Marina District in south St. Pete

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New affordable apartment community opens near the Skyway Marina District in south St. Pete

Just before Labor Day weekend, local government officials and community leaders gathered in south St. Pete to cut the ribbon on the city’s newest affordable housing development.

Founders Point, a 15-unit apartment community at 2901 31st Street South near the Skyway Marina District, was developed by Pinellas Affordable Living Inc. (PAL), a Community Housing Development Organization formed by the Boley Centers.

The community, designed to provide safe and affordable housing for people with special needs, is located next to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and just south of The Shores Apartments, a 50-unit affordable housing community developed by The Richman Group.

All 15 one-bedroom apartments are reserved for residents earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), specifically for households with special needs.

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St. Pete announces reopening date of the reimagined President Barack Obama Main Library

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St. Pete announces reopening date of the reimagined President Barack Obama Main Library

After four years of renovations and construction delays, St. Petersburg is finally ready to welcome the community back to its reimagined 61-year-old library.

The City has completed a $16.8 million renovation of the President Barack Obama Main Library at 3745 9th Avenue North.

Mayor Ken Welch will lead a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 27 at 9 a.m., followed by the public reopening at 10 a.m.

The library was originally designed in 1964 by noted St. Pete architect William Harvard.

In February 2018, the City announced the library would be renamed in honor of President Obama, and a sign was unveiled in February 2021.

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Urban Brew & BBQ to close after 12 years in the Grand Central District

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Urban Brew & BBQ to close after 12 years in the Grand Central District

Urban Brew and BBQ, a trailblazer in St. Pete’s Grand Central District, will serve its final plates on Saturday, September 6th.

The restaurant announced the decision on social media, thanking guests for “a wild ride” and inviting regulars to stop in one last time.

To mark the send-off, an event dubbed “Urban’s Last Dance” will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. until sellout at 2601 Central Avenue. A buffet will be offered at “$12 for 12 great years”.

For over 12 years, Urban became a reliable neighborhood hangout. Even as Grand Central blossomed with new breweries, bars, coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants, the barbecue joint remained a steady anchor.

“I think what it really comes down to is expenses have kept climbing,” owner Andy Salyards told St. Pete Rising. “Revenue has stayed about the same, but at the end of the day, you need such a high sales volume to make it work.”

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Long-awaited Red Mesa Mercado opening soon in west St. Pete

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Long-awaited Red Mesa Mercado opening soon in west St. Pete

The wait is nearly over. After more than two years of anticipation, Red Mesa Mercado is putting the finishing touches on its second location.

The popular Cali-Mex eatery will officially open in October at 6001 Central Avenue in west St. Pete. The space previously housed Two Graces and, before that, the Reading Room.

The restaurant is part of the Red Mesa Group, which has deep roots in St. Pete. This year, the original Red Mesa on 4th Street is celebrating 30 years in business. Meanwhile, Red Mesa Cantina has been downtown since 2009.

The group expanded again in 2014 with Red Mesa Mercado in the EDGE District at 1100 1st Avenue North. Over the past decade, Mercado has established itself as a regular stop in the neighborhood. Now, the second location is just weeks away from its grand debut.

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Chipotle taking over former KFC in Largo near Indian Rocks Beach

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Chipotle taking over former KFC in Largo near Indian Rocks Beach

Permits have been filed for a new Chipotle Mexican Grill in Largo, marking another expansion for the popular fast-casual chain.

Known for its streamlined menu of burritos, tacos, and bowls, the restaurant will open at 13677 Walsingham Road, just five minutes from Indian Rocks Beach, in a former KFC building.

The 2,885-square-foot space is being renovated at a cost of $400,000. Once complete, the restaurant will seat 46 diners inside and another 12 on an outdoor patio.

The project’s architect is Dungan Design Group LLC of Overland Park, Kansas, while Clearwater-based Strategic Commercial Construction is serving as the general contractor.

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Farm-to-table restaurant Naked Farmer to expand with new location on 4th Street North

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Farm-to-table restaurant Naked Farmer to expand with new location on 4th Street North

Farm-to-table fast-casual restaurant Naked Farmer is planting deeper roots in St. Petersburg.

The St. Pete–born brand told St. Pete Rising it will open a second location in the Sunshine City next summer at 2631 4th Street North, a 1,920-square-foot space that previously housed EVOS.

The upcoming location marks another milestone in Naked Farmer’s rapid growth.

Founded in 2020 in downtown St. Pete, the restaurant has grown to eight locations across Florida, including Tampa, Coral Gables, Sunrise, Miami, Sarasota, and Fort Lauderdale.

Expansion outside the state is also underway, with upcoming restaurants in Nashville, TN and Charlotte, NC.

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