Done Deals is a weekly column by St. Pete Rising spotlighting recent real estate market insight and significant deals happening in the Sunshine City and beyond. The following information is sourced from public records and trusted intel.

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Nordic- and Asian-inspired restaurant Lingr announces closure 

There years after opening, St. Petersburg’s Lingr restaurant is set to close on Saturday, April 27th. 

The Nordic- and Asian-inspired restaurant is led by chef Jeffrey Jew, an alumnus of Bravo’s Top Chef and winner of Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games. The 150-seat restaurant opened in 2021 at 400 Sixth Street South. 

Lingr was Chef Jew’s first solo project. He was previously Executive Chef at Bella Brava and Stillwaters Tavern on Beach Drive.

The closure announcement was made earlier this week on social media with Chef Jew expressing his desire to focus on his family and navigate his mother’s health challenges.

"After almost 3 years of Lingr serving the St. Petersburg community and its visitors, I have made the difficult decision to close,” Chef Jeffrey Jew said in an announcement. “During illness and family emergencies, I have always counseled my employees that their health and family are more important than Lingr. Now, I am in the position that I must take my own advice and spend time with my Mother as we navigate her Lewy Body Dementia."

Chef Jew is asking patrons to consider donating to the Alzheimers Association.

Lingr announced Tuesday that the restaurant is fully booked for its final week of service and will not be accepting any additional reservations.

It is not yet known what will become of the space once Lingr vacates.

St. Petersburg solicits developers to build affordable housing

The City of St. Petersburg has issued a request for proposals (RFP) from developers to construct a planned affordable housing complex at a St. Petersburg College property in west St. Pete. 

The city previously rezoned the land at 7045 Burlington Avenue North to build 105 affordable workforce townhomes with 30% of the units reserved for students, teachers, and faculty. Although the intention is to provide housing for students and faculty, the RFP does not specify it as a requirement. 

The city is requiring the 105 units, which can be delivered as condos, apartments, or townhomes, to serve households earning at or below 120% of the area median income (AMI) for a term of 30 years.

There would be restrictions on the re-sale of the units to maintain affordability. 

"The preferred proposal would provide for the construction of the development without requiring city funding, however, the city may consider subsidization," the solicitation reads. 

Interested developers can submit proposals here. Bids are due by 10 a.m. on June 1st. 

Once a proposal is selected, the terms of the proposal will be negotiated and will ultimately need to go before the City Council for approval.  

Additionally, the project will need to be approved by St. Petersburg’s Development Review Commission. 

Investor to flip Largo church property into retail center

Real estate investor Michael Hendzel has purchased a church property in Largo for his next big project. 

Hendzel acquired the 33,500-square-foot church property at 300 East Bay Drive in a $5 million deal from developer Arlis Construction. He also assumed a $4.25 million mortgage from the seller. The site was formerly home to Lifebridge Church.

"The first time I saw the property was two-and-half years ago when it was listed for $8 million. At the time, I just closed on another plaza and couldn't purchase it," Hendzel said to St. Pete Rising. 

After waiting for the market to level out and a month of negotiating with the seller, Hendzel acquired the 2.5-acre site. 

He plans to renovate the buildings with new landscaping changes, roofing, paint, and black accents inspired by The Pelican Country Club in Belleair.

Hendzel expects to complete renovations in the next 45 to 60 days. 

The property is 60% vacant. Hendzel envisions a higher-end restaurant, a coffee shop or a "cafe and play" parent-and-kid-centric concept, and a potential co-working space. 

"The goal of this project is to turn this gorgeous piece of real estate back into its beautiful form and populate it with great tenants that are a utility to the people of Largo and beyond," Hendzel said. 

The plaza will be renamed MJ Village of Largo, named after Hendzel's son, Mike Jr.

Handzel and his partner Kevin Glonek own a collection of real estate entities controlled by a parent company MavBrands LLC.

Late last year, he purchased The Walsingham Village retail plaza in Largo for $3.2 million through Peach Plaza LLC, which was named after his daughter, Savannah. 

Andy's Frozen Custard to open first St. Pete shop

Dessert chain Andy's Frozen Custard will be opening its first St. Petersburg location in the Crossroads Shopping Center. 

A filed stormwater plan shows an Andy's Frozen Custard drive-thru site at 2176 Tyrone Boulevard.  The 1,973-square-foot restaurant space, adjacent to a Starbucks, was previously the home of Tsunami Japanese Steakhouse. 

Andy's Frozen Custard has more than 140 company-owned and franchised stores across 15 states. 

The Springfield, Missouri-based chain has existing dessert shops in Lakeland, Clearwater, southern Hillsborough County, and other locations throughout Tampa Bay.

Sugar Wing to open in Seminole plaza

New York-based chain Sugar Wing will open its first Florida restaurant this weekend in the Seminole City Center.

Sugar Wing, a chef-inspired restaurant focused on delivering crispy and juicy chicken tenders and wings, will officially open its doors on Friday, April 26th, at 7724 113th Street in Seminole.

Sugar Wing operates four locations in New York City’s Upper East Side, West Village, East Village, and Battery Park as well as an outpost in Clifton, New Jersey. A second location is coming to Carrollwood. 

“Sugar Wing represents the next generation of fast-casual dining, and I’m looking forward to bringing its amazing chicken-focused menu to the Seminole community,” Chuck Pasquotto, partner at parent company Emfire Brands, said in a prepared statement. 

“We’ve seen the incredible success of Sugar Wing in other markets as a ghost kitchen, and it is an honor to bring the first brick-and-mortar location to my community and continue to watch this brand prosper. There is no doubt Sugar Wing will become the go-to destination for guests to enjoy a meal with friends and family.” 

To celebrate the new location, from 11 a.m. on Friday through the end of the day on Sunday, guests can choose a selection of entrees with a side of Sugar Wing’s signature dip-em fries and a drink for $5.

The first 50 people visiting the chicken wing joint on Saturday will receive three free chicken strips paired with their choice of a house-made dipper. 

According to the Sugar Wing's website, they smoke their wings over oak, apple, and cherry wood before being flash-fried. 

The flavors/sauces include black cherry and classic BBQ, buffalo, Korean chili and soy, Alabama white, a spicy sauce, and a Cajun dry rub.