April 28, 2025

Cheeky’s seafood restaurant and raw bar reveals opening date for Grand Central District spot

April 28, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Tampa native Nate Siegel, the co-founder behind Tampa’s award-winning Willa’s and Willa’s Provisions, has announced an opening date for his new neighborhood seafood restaurant and raw bar in St. Pete.

Cheeky's, Siegel's latest concept inspired by New England oyster bars and Southern fish shacks, will open on Wednesday, May 7th at 2823 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

First announced in 2023, the restaurant will occupy a portion of the building previously home to China Finders, a specialty china shop that closed in 2023 after more than 30 years in business.

“Coming to St. Pete is a dream come true, and opening a new place like Cheeky’s along Central Avenue is so exciting,” Siegel said in a prepared statement. “This is already such a special community, and I’m honored to become a part of it alongside my friends and neighbors at Bandit, Baba, Wild Child, and more.”

April 17, 2025

New local wine club Savoir on Central to open in the Grand Central District next month

April 17, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

From rolling vineyards around the world to luxurious Michelin-starred restaurants, every glass of wine tells a story—and now, a local sommelier and her team are bringing those stories to St. Petersburg’s wine lovers.

Sommelier Sharon Mahoney and her business partner, Christina Noordstar, are launching Savoir on Central, an upscale wine club offering educational classes, curated tastings, and exclusive wine selections.

Located at 2531 Central Avenue, the club will open in late May in the former Rasta Canna Bar space in the Grand Central District.

Open to the public and wine club members, Savoir on Central is designed to be welcoming to everyone—from curious beginners to seasoned connoisseurs.

“Savoir on Central is for both seasoned wine enthusiasts and those just discovering the art of wine,” said Noordstar, a longtime local entrepreneur. She first met Mahoney through the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership St. Pete Class of 2019.

April 07, 2025

Slim Charmer, a new martini bar from the owners of Wild Child, opens in the Grand Central District

April 07, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Nestled in a charming 1940s building, a New York–style cocktail parlor and tasting room has arrived in St. Petersburg, offering martinis and eclectic small plates.

From Matt Kaye and Rob Reinsmith—the duo behind the popular Wild Child restaurant—comes Slim Charmer, an intimate, 26-seat martini lounge located next to Wild Child’s patio at 2706 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

Kaye hopes the 800-square-foot space, named after a former nickname for his wife, will stand out as an innovative destination where guests can savor the unexpected and explore flavors not found elsewhere.

Both the food and drink menu will rotate frequently based on the season and available ingredients.

March 07, 2025

Trails Crossing, a new linear park under I-275 in downtown St. Pete, moves forward after City Council vote

March 07, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Four blocks of underutilized space beneath Interstate 275 in downtown St. Pete could be transformed into a new linear park featuring public art and event spaces, creating a destination for pedestrians and cyclists.

In a 7-to-1 vote, City Council approved an agreement on Thursday to contribute $150,000 toward hiring Colorado-based LandDesign, Inc. to kick off the master planning process for Trails Crossing, a walkable, activated park under I-275 that will embrace micro-transit and connect urban neighborhoods—an idea that has been in discussion for years.

“For too long, our community has been physically, socially, and economically divided by infrastructure that was never designed with connectivity in mind,” said John Barkett, a local developer and co-founder of the nonprofit group Friends of Trails Crossing, during Thursday’s meeting.

March 04, 2025

Local furniture store Gibson’s on Central opens in the Grand Central District

March 04, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

St. Pete residents hunting for a new couch or dining set and resorting to shopping at giant retailers outside of the area now have a new local option.

With a keen eye for decor, flipping rooms into modern-style spaces with a blend of traditional architecture, local interior designer Tara Gibson has opened her own storefront selling furniture and home accessories in the Grand Central District.

Imported chairs and sofas, Himalayan blankets, rugs, and light fixtures fill the space at 2646 Central Avenue named Gibson's on Central.

The shop, currently open with a planned grand opening on March 8th, was formerly occupied by Salty Roots Salon and Boutique and is directly next to Bandit Coffee.