Drive-thru only Starbucks proposed for 9th Avenue North in North Kenwood

Another week, another new coffee shop planned for St. Pete!

But unlike recent news of locally owned coffee shops like The Blend opening in Magnolia Heights and Sage’s Playground opening in downtown St. Pete, this time it’s a new location by Seattle-based coffee giant Starbucks. 

ELEVATIONS for the proposed starbucks in north kenwood, WHICH IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE | city of st. petersburg

Plans have been filed for a new Starbucks at the northeast corner of 9th Avenue North and 34th Street in St. Pete’s North Kenwood neighborhood. The site was formerly an Exxon Mobile gas station. The parcel is owned by Catfish Real Estate, LLC.  

As it’s currently proposed, the store will be a drive-thru only Starbucks location, meaning the café will have no public indoor seating.

However, the currently filed plans have been rejected and adjustments need to be made before it can be approved. The City of St. Petersburg is requiring a pedestrian pick up window at the location to serve non-motorists. It’s not known if that means the location will have outdoor seating.

the proposed site plan FOR THE CAFE , which is subject to change | CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG

The café is expected to feature a large drive-thru lane and the café building will be oriented along 34th Street. 

The North Kenwood Starbucks is the latest outpost for the coffee giant in St. Pete. Earlier this year, Starbucks opened a new location at 3939 4th Avenue North near Whole Food Market, which remains under construction.  

Last year, the chain opened a location at 4601 34th Street South in the Skyway Marina District.  

Additionally, the North Kenwood Starbucks is less than a mile from another Starbucks café at 2190 34th Street North and two and a half miles from another Starbucks at 900 4th Street North.

No timeline for the store has been announced and changes to the submitted plans are expected.