A vacant commercial space in St. Pete's Grand Central District will become a new high-end Italian market and dining hall. 

Julius Nasso, founder of The Big City Group and Big City Hospitality, has announced plans for the new concept, San Valentino Italian Market, which will debut later this year at 2063 1st Avenue South. 

The 12,082-square-foot building, located behind Trophy Fish seafood restaurant, was formerly occupied by Classic Architectural, a local cabinet and furniture fabricator. 

This will be Big City Hospitality’s first concept in downtown St. Pete. 

San Valentino Italian Market is expected to resemble a smaller version of Eataly, a popular chain of Italian marketplaces comprising a variety of restaurants, food and beverage counters, bakery, retail items, and cooking school.

Further details regarding the new market and dining hall have not yet been announced.

The plans for the brick-and-mortar storefront come after Nasso and his team recently vended at Mezzo Market, a monthly outdoor street market on Baum Avenue in the EDGE District between Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails and Green Bench Brewing.  

Nasso revealed that San Valentino Italian Market is also a sponsor of the 19th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival, which takes place this weekend at the AMC Sundial 12 in downtown St. Pete.

Prior to forming the hospitality group, Nasso had a robust career in real estate development, most recently serving as Senior Project Manager for Red Apple's 400 Central, a 46-story condominium tower currently under construction in downtown St. Pete.

Follow San Valentino on Facebook and Instagram for the latest store announcements.