Mythos Greek Bistro to open in former Salty Nun space in the Grand Central District

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Mythos Greek Bistro to open in former Salty Nun space in the Grand Central District

A taste of Greece is coming to the Grand Central District this November as a bold new Mediterranean concept will open in the space formerly occupied by the Salty Nun.

With a vision rooted in Greek heritage and hospitality, Konstantinos “Dinos” Chilias, alongside business partner Daniel Marina, is transforming the former LGBTQ+ bar and restaurant at 2501 Central Avenue into Mythos Greek Bistro, a restaurant that they hope will capture the flavor and vibrancy of the Aegean Sea.

“St. Pete is missing an authentic Greek restaurant,” Chef Dinos, a native of Greece and long-time Tampa Bay restaurateur, said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “I’ve waited many years for the right opportunity for me, and this is it, right on Central Avenue.”

Chef Dinos brings over two decades of culinary experience to the project. He is best known for La Creperia Cafe in Ybor City and previously operated the Crepeway Caffe in the EDGE District of St. Pete.

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Noble Tavern, a modern cocktail bar and restaurant from the owners of Noble Crust, opens on Central Avenue

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Noble Tavern, a modern cocktail bar and restaurant from the owners of Noble Crust, opens on Central Avenue

The long-awaited Noble Tavern, a modern cocktail bar and restaurant, has opened on the ground floor of the Tru by Hilton hotel at 1650 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District of St. Pete.

Spanning 3,800 square feet, the interior features brick walls, leather seating, and local artwork, creating a blend of classic tavern style and contemporary design.

 The restaurant includes a marble-topped central bar and seating designed for both dining and casual drinks.

First announced in 2022, Noble Tavern is the latest concept from the team behind Noble Crust in north St. Pete and Fat Beet Farm Kitchen & Bakery in Tampa.

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Mediterranean cafe and wine bar Ruya opens in Grand Central District

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Mediterranean cafe and wine bar Ruya opens in Grand Central District

A new coffee and wine lounge in the Grand Central District offers locals a taste of Mediterranean flavors and Moroccan-inspired hospitality.

Ruya, from the Arabic word ru’yah, meaning “vision” or “dream,” opened on Saturday, October 11th, at 2200 1st Avenue South, serving coffee, aromatic mint teas, sangria, beer, wine, and pastries in a cozy, art-filled setting.

The 1,650-square-foot space was formerly home to If I Brewed the World, a microbrewery that closed earlier this year.

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The Oyster Bar returns to St. Pete next week with a new home in the Grand Central District

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The Oyster Bar returns to St. Pete next week with a new home in the Grand Central District

After a two-year hiatus, a well-known downtown St. Pete seafood restaurant is making its return.

The Oyster Bar, a local favorite at 249 Central Avenue from 1999 until its 2023 closure, will make its return next Tuesday, October 14th, at 2245 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said owner Josh Cameron, whose Craft Hospitality Group also runs The Crafty Squirrel and Where’s Jubes. “We’re so excited to be back.”

Cameron took over The Oyster Bar in 2013 and turned it into one of the most popular restaurants on the Jannus Block in downtown St. Pete. The restaurant became known for its oyster happy hours, bottomless brunches, and affordable take on fine dining cuisine.

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Two-story retail building planned for former gas station site in the Grand Central District

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Two-story retail building planned for former gas station site in the Grand Central District

A Citgo gas station on the corner of Central Avenue and 28th Street is set to be redeveloped into a new retail destination.

Clearwater-based general contractor Build America Luxury Homes has submitted plans to demolish the 1957-built station and replace it with a two-story, 13,500-square-foot retail building at 2801 Central Avenue, next to Cheeky’s Fish & Raw Bar.

“We are experienced in taking old, rundown, or neglected places and turning them into community assets,” said Qemal Hasanbelli, owner of Build America Luxury Homes and BA Construction, in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

Hasanbelli purchased the 0.22-acre lot in December 2023 for $1.75 million.

Designed by Oldsmar-based ArchEvoke Studio LLC, the building would accommodate multiple retailers and restaurants, bringing new business opportunities to this stretch of the Grand Central District.

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FS8, a Pilates-Yoga hybrid, set to open in the Grand Central District this fall

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FS8, a Pilates-Yoga hybrid, set to open in the Grand Central District this fall

A new kind of fitness experience is headed to downtown St. Petersburg.

Later this fall, FS8, a fast-growing brand created by the team behind F45 Training, will open its first Tampa Bay location at 2541 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

Behind the project are St. Pete locals Kate Dworsky and Heather Avery, two fitness professionals passionate about helping people reach their goals while building community along the way.

The pair signed their lease in January and have spent the past several months navigating the permitting process.

With approvals in hand, construction is now underway inside the former Lion’s Paw Antiques & Collectables building.

FS8 blends reformer and mat Pilates, yoga, and strength training into 50-minute classes designed to be approachable yet challenging.

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Multi-tenant retail building planned for the west end of Grand Central District

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Multi-tenant retail building planned for the west end of Grand Central District

A 6,079-square-foot retail building has been proposed for the west end of the Grand Central District.

The property is located at 2730 Central Avenue, just steps from the corner of Central Avenue and 27th Street, an area known for popular neighborhood restaurants like Wild Child, Baba, Casita Taqueria, and Bandit Coffee.

The site, which is owned by local real estate investor Rossi Bonugli, was previously occupied by two single-family homes that had been converted for retail use. They were demolished a few months ago to make way for the new development.

Bonugli had rented out the spaces for years but envisioned a greater use for the property.

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24-unit townhome community begins vertical construction in Grand Central District

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24-unit townhome community begins vertical construction in Grand Central District

A new townhome community is set to rise on the edge of St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District and Historic Kenwood, bringing a neighborhood feel to one of the city’s most vibrant urban corridors.

Indianapolis-based developer Onyx+East has officially launched sales for Blanc, a 24-unit luxury townhome project at 3001 1st Avenue North. The phased development will span seven buildings across a one-acre site.

The property, formerly home to a gas station, a single-family home, and an apartment building, was cleared prior to Onyx+East purchasing the site for $4 million in 2024. The parcel was previously owned by Salt Palm Development who planned to build The Bismarck, an 18-unit townhome community.

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Vintage clothing store Wendy’s Closet relocates to new Central Avenue spot this summer

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Vintage clothing store Wendy’s Closet relocates to new Central Avenue spot this summer

Wendy’s Closet, a beloved vintage clothing shop celebrating 30 years in business, is relocating this summer from 2107 Central Avenue to a new space just a few blocks down in St. Pete’s Grand Central District.

Owner Wendy Barrett has purchased a 3,300-square-foot building at 1912 Central Avenue, formerly home to Goodyear Rubber Products, securing her presence in the neighborhood for years to come.

“This store will have a better layout, a working AC, and it’s right across from the Imagine Museum. It’s perfect, it will be bigger and better,” Barrett told St. Pete Rising.

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Florida's largest LGBTQ+ pride celebration returns to St. Pete this month

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Florida's largest LGBTQ+ pride celebration returns to St. Pete this month

The Sunshine City, home to the largest Pride celebration in Florida, will once again celebrate its vibrant LGBTQIA+ community during the 23rd annual St. Pete Pride.

The month-long celebration culminates with the signature Pride Parade along the downtown waterfront, drawing more than 300,000 attendees. This year’s parade day festivities kick off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 28th at North and South Straub Parks, featuring live music, local entertainers and artists, over 100 booths and vendors, and a wide variety of food and drink.

The Pride Parade will begin at 6 p.m., starting at Albert Whitted Park and continuing along Bayshore Drive to Vinoy Park. The Trans March will precede the main parade at 5 p.m.

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