A cold plunge spa, a tattoo business, and a marijuana dispensary are among the tenants coming to a new retail strip in St. Pete's Grand Central District.

The businesses are in the process of moving into the Shoppes on Central complex, located at 2160 Central Avenue in front of Tombolo Books’ and Black Crow Coffee Co.’s storefronts.

Miami-based investor Nick Molina purchased the site from local developer Jon Daou in 2021 when the property was a crushed shell parking lot. Construction on the new retail building began in early 2023 and will wrap up in the coming weeks.

Molina shared that the new secured tenants include Gold Leaf, a marijuana dispensary run by Oregon-based entrepreneur Nitin Khanna; Cleopatra Ink, a tattoo and piercing business; Balance House, a spa that will offer saunas and cold plunges; and Harbour Thread, a men’s and women’s clothing and accessories shop.

"We want to avoid the big box retailers and stay consistent with St. Pete's local mom-and-pop type of businesses," Molina said in an interview with St. Pete Rising. "Balance House will be great with a nearby gym, and Harbour Thread is a good fit - we need more fashion-based retailers, and the dispensary will be very upscale. During construction, multiple tattoo operators have approached us."

Molina is working with broker Kyle Masterson from The Archer Group on the retail leasing for the nearly 9,000-square-foot strip. The six spaces range from 1,188 to 2,447 square feet.

"I just saw the space three weeks ago," said Balance House founder Jon Dean. "However, I've been investing in properties for a couple of years without stepping foot at the actual site.”

Dean, an entrepreneur hailing from New Jersey, is jumping into the medspa space after seeing the uptick in people embracing healthier lifestyles.

"People nowadays are taking their health more seriously," he said. "I'm starting this business from scratch and hope it can become scalable. St. Pete is the ideal location. I was first interested in South Florida, but St. Pete city is more friendly towards smaller, locally owned businesses."

Balance House will focus on thermo medical treatments with two infrared saunas, which can accommodate six people, as well as two cold plunge tubs.

Cold plunges, described as ice baths with water dipping below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (or 15 degrees Celsius), constrict blood vessels, slowing blood flow and relieving swelling and soreness in muscles.

The plunges may also help decrease inflammation, improve sleep, and accelerate metabolism, according to numerous scientific studies.

The modern 1,500-square-foot spa will have an open layout with private room options. 

Dean expects to open Balance House this summer. 

Molina is in talks with several potential tenants to lease the sole remaining vacancy at 2152 Central Avenue.

St. Petersburg-based architect group Fraze Design Inc. and general contractor Seifried Construction worked on the project. 

"They were amazing. I'm working on locating another property to develop with the team," Molina said.