Lucid Coffee & Kava has opened at 10328 Roosevelt Boulevard North in St. Pete’s Gateway neighborhood | Lucid Coffee & Kava

A new café blending coffee culture with botanical brews has opened in north St. Pete’s Gateway neighborhood.

Lucid Coffee & Kava quietly debuted on Saturday at 10328 Roosevelt Boulevard North, near the intersection of Gandy Boulevard and Roosevelt Boulevard, in the Ibis Walk shopping center.

The 1,700-square-foot space was previously home to Freshii, a health-focused restaurant and juice bar.

Lucid’s menu features a variety of beverages, including coffee, kava, kratom, herbal teas, kombucha, and ginger beer.

Owners of Lucid Coffee & Kava: Lokesh Vale (left), Abram “Avi” Jacobson, and Amar Nathwani (right) | Lucid Coffee & Kava

The cafe is co-owned by three local entrepreneurs: Lokesh Vale, owner of The Twisted Indian in the Grand Central District; Amar Nathwani, a realtor with Barkett Realty; and Abram “Avi” Jacobson, vice president of sales for Pure Infinity Botanicals, a wholesale distributor of kava and kratom.

“There are very few coffee and kava bars in this part of town,” said Vale in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “We want to provide a comfortable place to work during the day and a nice alternative to drinking alcohol during the evening.”

Additionally, being near some of the county’s largest employers, Vale wanted to make Lucid a practical spot for remote work, casual meetings or just taking a break.

“We offer free WiFi, lots of outlets, and a mix of lounge seating and tables,” said Vale. “There is even a spacious outdoor patio with water views in the back.”

The café features a modern design with green and gold accents, bartop and table seating, and a mural by up-and-coming local artist Adeline.

Lucid Coffee & Kava has replaced Freshii at Ibis Walk in north St. Pete | Loopnet

Lucid offers a full menu of espresso-based drinks using coffee beans from Savage Coffee, a local roastery expected to debut a trendy cafe in downtown St. Pete later this year.

Derived from the ground roots of a South Pacific pepper plant, kava is known for its calming, anxiety-reducing effects—and it’s at the center of a growing scene in Pinellas County, where more than 50 kava bars have opened in the last decade.

This surge reflects a broader nationwide trend, as younger generations increasingly turn toward wellness-focused, alcohol-free social spaces.

As for food, Lucid offers baked goods and pastries from local bakeries and may explore offering savory pies in the future.

In addition to daily service, Lucid plans to host community events including trivia nights, live music, and “cars & coffee” gatherings. The space is designed to function as both a daytime workspace and an evening hangout spot.

Lucid is hosting a grand opening this weekend from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Be sure to follow Lucid Coffee + Kava on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all the latest offerings, specials, and events.