August 04, 2015

High Demand Drives Downtown St. Pete Townhome Development

August 04, 2015/ Anthony Close

Over a thousand new residential units will be coming to Downtown St. Pete over the next couple of years. With over 15 developments either under construction or proposed, the combined impact of these projects is creating Tampa Bay’s best community to live, work, and play.

Showing confidence in the Downtown St. Pete market, investor Jeff Craft with NV Holdings is embarking on multiple projects in and around St. Pete’s urban core.

July 06, 2015

Authentic Brownstones Coming to Downtown St. Pete

July 06, 2015/ Brian Zucker

Downtown St. Pete’s newest residential community will bring a bit of northeast charm to the Sunshine City. The Brownstones St Petersburg will pay homage to an architectural style found frequently in cities such as Chicago, Boston, and New York City. Located on the corner of 4th Ave N and 1st St N, these new homes will be only one block away from the popular Beach Dr. and at the site of formerly proposed condo project Maranatha by the Bay.

June 02, 2015

Reservations Remain Strong as ONE St. Petersburg Releases New Penthouse Renders

June 02, 2015/ Anthony Close

With the tailwinds of a red hot downtown real estate market at its back, ONE St. Petersburg has continued to far exceeded expectations.

Since having an official grand opening event in February around 120 units have been reserved, representing sales of over $126 million. Dave Traynor, of Smith & Associates, said about a third of the reservations have come from existing St. Pete residents while another third have come from other areas in Tampa Bay. The remaining third have come from out of area buyers primarily from the Northeast and the Midwest.

Soaring over 450 feet, ONE St. Petersburg will be the tallest building in St. Petersburg and in Pinellas County. The 41-story, 253 unit condo tower, which is expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2016, will be located at 100 First Ave N.

April 28, 2015

Brick and Mortar Restaurant Opens on the 500 Block in Downtown St. Pete

April 28, 2015/ Brian Zucker

For years, Tampa has arguably had a better selection of dining options than its brother across the bay, St. Petersburg. Jason Ruhe and Hope Montgomery opened Brick and Mortar to the public last week, simultaneously elevating St. Pete’s culinary game.

The restaurant and catering company is located at 539 Central Avenue in Downtown St. Pete, taking over the parcel previously vacated by St. Pete Brasserie in September 2013. Holding 50 people inside and 17 on the patio outside, the space feels very intimate.The decor is flush with rustic charm.Raw unfinished wooden tables are lit up by vintage light fixtures hanging from the ceiling and natural sunlight spilling inside from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

March 19, 2015

Pom Pom's Brings Wild Sandwiches & Tea to St. Pete

March 19, 2015/ Brian Zucker

This Monday, your new favorite local eatery will open in the Grand Central District of St. Petersburg: Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria.This marks Pom Pom’s second location, the other being in Orlando, where it enjoys a cult-like following.

Walking into the brand new location, it quickly becomes apparent that this isn’t your average sandwich and tea shop. You are immediately greeted by bright green and orange floors and royal blue walls adorned with local art.

October 08, 2014

Project: The Salvador

October 08, 2014/ Anthony Close

Just announced today by Smith & Associates Real Estate, the newest condo project in Downtown St. Petersburg will be The Salvador. The announcement of this project is unsurprising given that two other luxury condo projects- Rowland Place and Bliss– have had strong sales.

The Salvador will be a 13 story green certified building housing 74 luxury condo units. This project is being developed by DDA Development along with the MESH architecture group to offer 1 & 2 bedroom units from 964-1810 sqft as well as 3 bedroom, 2500+ sqft penthouse units. The location of this project is just another sign

August 14, 2014

Sundial Releases Tenant Lineup

August 14, 2014/ Anthony Close

Last week Sundial released its tenant lineup and announced it was 90% leased. I've given the store lineup a few days to sink in and I must say that while I'm not taken aback by the stores, I am impressed. In today's retail market it takes a lot for a brand to risk opening a store, let alone in a previously failed downtown retail center.

While there isn't a famed J.Crew or an Apple store, what we got is a very diverse mix of national and local retailers, which I think is great.

March 07, 2014

Project: DRC Approves 72 Unit Condo Tower

March 07, 2014/ Anthony Close

According to the St.Petersburg Tribune, the Development Review Comission(DRC) approved a 16 story, 72 unit condo tower slated to be built on 145 4th Ave N in Downtown St.Petersburg.

The $40 million project would have 13 residential floors above a three floor parking garage.

Many neighborhood associations opposed the proposed project because they believe it is too large for the historic neighborhood. However, the Walker Whitney Plaza condo tower is less than a block away and is of similar size with 56 units on 13 floors.

To read more about the 145 4th Ave N Project click here.

February 13, 2014

PROJECT UPDATE: Rowland Place

February 13, 2014/ Anthony Close

From the Rowland Place's Facebook:

It starts with a great foundation!
Rowland Place's first concrete pour creating its solid foundation was completed last week. Now, it’s only "up" from here!
One thousand five (1,005) square yards of concrete make up the foundation at Rowland Place. The Rowland Place construction team worked 14 hours straight and the results are “rock solid.” Stay tuned to watch Rowland Place develop into the newest in Luxury Urban Living!

Rowland Place is a six story, 20 unit currently under construction near Beach Drive. Its units will sell for between $500,000 and $800,000. It is being developed by JMC Communities.

For more information on Rowland Place visit their website.

To view more of our articles written about Rowland Place, click here.

More from St. Pete Rising

September 2, 2026

Historic Manhattan Casino will reopen September 19th as city-run event venue in south St. Pete

September 2, 2026

The Manhattan Casino, the historic 22nd Street South venue that once hosted performers including James Brown, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Ray Charles, will reopen September 19 following a $4.8 million renovation.

The City of St. Petersburg will operate the two-story building at 642 22nd Street South as an event venue, with a ribbon-cutting and open house planned for 10 a.m. that day.

The reopening returns a major gathering place to The Deuces, the historically Black commercial and cultural district along 22nd Street South. The venue will be available for weddings, corporate events, conferences, family gatherings and live performances.

The renovations include new flooring and air conditioning, along with a new lobby, conference room, green room, catering kitchen, and stage for live bands.

The first floor will house the 2,232-square-foot Legacy Room and an entry foyer with a bar, while the second floor will feature the 4,152-square-foot Jordan Ballroom, named for Elder Jordan Sr.

September 2, 2026

September 1, 2026

Demolition of former UPC headquarters clears way for two 31-story towers in downtown St. Pete

September 1, 2026

Construction crews have completed demolition of the former UPC Insurance headquarters in downtown St. Pete, clearing the three-acre site for two 31-story apartment towers with 824 apartments and more than 30,000 square feet of retail space.

The 40,000-square-foot office building at 800 2nd Avenue South most recently served as a temporary office for the Tampa Bay Rays after Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field.

UPC Insurance, which once occupied the building as its corporate headquarters, was placed into liquidation in 2023.

St. Pete-based Echelon, in partnership with Third Lake Partners, will develop the $225 million project, which will span more than 1.7 million square feet.

While shorter than the 46-story Residences at 400 Central, the two-tower development will contain more total floor area. At 343 feet, the towers will become the tallest buildings west of 5th Street and rank among downtown St. Pete’s 10 tallest structures.

September 1, 2026

August 31, 2026

Mayor selects proposal with 126 affordable residences and retail for Commerce Park redevelopment in south St. Pete

August 31, 2026

Mayor Ken Welch has selected Magellan Housing as the preferred developer for Commerce Park, a 3.03-acre, city-owned site near 22nd Street South and 7th Avenue South across from the Manhattan Casino in south St. Pete.

Magellan, through its local affiliate Deuces Rising, LLC, was one of seven teams that responded to the city’s April request for proposals.

Its plan, called The Deuces at Commerce Park, includes an eight-story, 120-unit affordable apartment building, about 6,000 square feet of retail space along 22nd Street South, and six for-sale townhomes in a second phase.

The selection gives the Texas-based affordable-housing developer the opportunity to negotiate a deal with the city. Any final agreement must return to City Council for a separate vote, and the council is not likely to approve an agreement before November’s mayoral election.

All 120 apartments would be income-restricted, meaning residents would have to meet income limits to qualify. The proposal calls for 24 apartments reserved for households earning up to 30% of the area median income, 60 for households earning up to 60% of AMI, and 36 for households earning up to 80% of AMI.

August 31, 2026

August 28, 2026

Deuces Rising townhomes, a new 24-unit affordable housing development, nears completion

August 28, 2026

A long-delayed project that will deliver 24 affordable homes for working families is nearing completion and preparing to welcome its first residents.

The bright white-and-blue, two-story townhomes line 6th and 7th avenues South near 22nd Street South, directly across from the Manhattan Casino.

The City of St. Petersburg purchased the land in 2007 for $2.2 million using a federal grant. However, the project was not announced until 2019 under former Mayor Rick Kriseman as part of the broader Deuces Rising initiative, which aims to revitalize the Deuces, the historic African American entertainment and business district along the 22nd Street South corridor.

Built by Tampa-based Horus Construction Services, the development includes twelve 1,780-square-foot townhomes with three bedrooms and twelve 1,525-square-foot townhomes with two bedrooms.

August 28, 2026

August 27, 2026

60-unit apartment building planned using factory-built construction system in St. Pete

August 27, 2026

A St. Pete developer is planning a 60-unit apartment building in the Grand Central District that could demonstrate a quicker, potentially less expensive way to add housing to the city.

Blake Investment Partners plans to build a five-story apartment building at 3200 First Avenue South, at the corner of 31st Street South and First Avenue South, using a factory-built system from New York-based Vessel Technologies.

The building will be Vessel’s first Florida project and part of Whitney Village, a larger mixed-use development being constructed on the YMCA’s former athletic fields. The project also includes a 325-unit apartment community by Greystar, currently under construction, a future retail village, and 860 parking spaces.

The Vessel building is not being constructed through the traditional, site-built process used for most apartment projects.

Instead, Vessel will manufacture large steel-framed panels and other components in the Northeast, transport them to St. Petersburg, and assemble the completed building on-site.

August 27, 2026

August 26, 2026

Live at Dead Bob’s will bring late-night food and live music to downtown Largo

August 26, 2026

Dead Bob’s is heading to Largo with a new name, an outdoor stage, and the late-night hours that helped make the St. Pete neighborhood bar a local favorite.

Owner Ben Scherlis plans to open Live at Dead Bob’s in 2027 at Horizon West Bay, Largo’s new $80 million mixed-use development at 440 West Bay Drive.

The development occupies the northern 400 block of West Bay Drive and combines Largo’s new City Hall with retail and restaurant space, public gathering areas, an outdoor plaza and stage, and a parking garage.

The 2,072-square-foot Live at Dead Bob’s will occupy a space in the parking garage building beside the outdoor stage and public plaza.

It will be the fourth Dead Bob’s-branded location, joining Dead Bob’s in west St. Pete, Dead Bob’s Too in Tampa, and Dead Bob’s Waterfront Kitchen inside the Elks Lodge in Madeira Beach.

August 26, 2026

August 25, 2026

Historically St. Pete: How First United Methodist Church became a downtown St. Pete landmark

August 25, 2026

At St. Pete Rising, we are constantly providing comprehensive coverage on everything new and coming soon to the Sunshine City, but we think it’s also important to take a look back at our city's rich history.

Historically St. Pete, a monthly column on St. Pete Rising written by Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History Rui Farias, covers everything from the legend of underground mobster tunnels to the buildings and people that created the Sunshine City.

This month, we explore the history of First United Methodist Church, a nearly 140-year-old congregation whose 100-year-old Gothic Revival sanctuary at 212 3rd Street North remains one of downtown St. Petersburg’s most recognizable landmarks.

August 25, 2026

August 24, 2026

Mocha Bay to introduce Yemeni coffee to downtown St. Pete this winter

August 24, 2026

Traditional Yemeni coffee is coming to downtown St. Pete.

Mocha Bay is expected to open before Thanksgiving at 401 1st Avenue North, on the ground floor of the Princess Martha, a historic senior living community.

The nearly 2,000-square-foot space was previously home to Deja Vu Café, which opened in 2016 and closed earlier this year. It is on the same block as Bar Chinchilla and the soon-to-open Sunshine City Comedy Cafe.

Mocha Bay will serve espresso drinks alongside traditional Yemeni coffee preparations, using medium-to-dark roasted beans sourced from Yemen, local businessman Hamdi Ali said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

Traditional Yemeni coffee is often brewed in a decorative metal pot called a dallah, then served strong in small cups. It can be flavored with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.

August 24, 2026

Apt 34, a new beer and wine bar, is bringing NYC house-party vibes to downtown St. Pete

August 24, 2026

For nearly a decade, a tiny sixth-floor walk-up in Hell’s Kitchen became something much bigger than an apartment.

From 2015 to 2024, St. Pete native Nico Leeper lived with roommates in Apartment 34 at 312 West 48th Street in Manhattan, where a rooftop overlooking Midtown gradually became a gathering place for friends, neighbors, and plenty of people they had never met before.

They called it the 312 Roof Club.

On any given night, the rooftop might host a barbecue, piano concert, political rally, Derby Day party, charity fundraiser, inflatable pool party, wedding reception, or just a bunch of friends hanging out over drinks.

Now Leeper is bringing that same energy home.

August 24, 2026

August 21, 2026

Brazilian pizza restaurant Quintal Brasil opens in Pinellas Park with sweet and savory pies

August 21, 2026

Choosing between a savory pizza and dessert is not really a problem at Quintal Brasil Pizza.

The new Pinellas Park restaurant serves both as part of its all-you-can-eat Brazilian-style pizza experience.

Quintal Brasil Pizza opened last month at 6119 Park Boulevard, in the plaza shared with Quan Ngon Bistro, Fat Cat Pizza & Dogs, and beangood coffee.

The restaurant is owned by Ray and Kaline Barreto, who also operate Brazilian pub Boteco Bossa Nova and Wildlife Acaí & Café in the same plaza.

Brazilian pizza is known for its thin crust, light layer of sauce, and toppings that may be less familiar to American pizza diners.

Quintal’s menu includes familiar pizzas like a Margherita with mozzarella, basil, and tomato, alongside Brazilian-style options such as the Portuguesa, topped with ham, hard-boiled eggs, onions, bell peppers, and olives.

August 21, 2026

Zubrick Magic Theatre announces Moonlight Express as it celebrates five years in downtown St. Pete

August 21, 2026

A train is about to pull into downtown St. Petersburg, and it’s taking passengers somewhere unexpected.

Zubrick Magic Theatre is launching Moonlight Express, an immersive new magic show that will transform its theatre at 1211 1st Avenue North into “Zubrick Station.” The 18-and-over experience begins September 10th and will seat just 20 guests at a time.

Operated by award-winning Illusionists Chris and Ryan Zubrick, the 97-seat theater opened in 2021 in the EDGE District. It brought a family-friendly, 70-minute magic show featuring comedy, sleight-of-hand, and large-scale illusions to downtown St. Pete.

Moonlight Express will be held on select nights, while the theater’s main show will continue on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

For Moonlight Express, the theater’s lobby will remain familiar, but once guests enter the auditorium, the Zubricks promise to transport them into an entirely different world.

August 21, 2026

August 20, 2026

16-story apartment tower proposed to replace larger approved project near USF St. Pete

August 20, 2026

A 16-story apartment tower has been proposed across from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, replacing a larger project approved for the same property last year.

The proposed development would rise at 446 4th Street South, at the northeast corner of 5th Avenue South and 4th Street South.

The 0.7-acre property is currently home to a 105-year-old commercial building previously occupied by Fresenius Kidney Care American Dialysis Center and an adjacent surface parking lot.

The project, which would be developed by Charleston, South Carolina-based The Beach Company, will contain 165 apartments, approximately 3,200 square feet of ground-floor retail space, a 176-space parking garage, and 178 bicycle spaces.

It’s a significant change from the development St. Petersburg City Council approved for the site in February 2025.

August 20, 2026

August 18, 2026

Tampa Bay Ferry prepares for launch with two vessels and $16.5 million grant for a third

August 18, 2026

The first of two vessels that will launch the new Tampa Bay Ferry service arrived in Pinellas County on Monday, bringing the return of ferry service between downtown St. Pete and Tampa another step closer to reality.

The arrival comes as the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has secured a $16.5 million federal grant to build a new 249-passenger vessel for the service, which is expected to launch later this year.

The 250-passenger Bay Breeze arrived at Tarpon Marine Service in Tarpon Springs on Monday and will now undergo inspections and refurbishment for passenger service.

A second vessel, the 149-passenger Bay Clipper, formerly known as the San Juan Clipper, is expected to arrive in Pinellas County within the next few weeks and will be refurbished at the same facility.

August 18, 2026

Dutch Bros Coffee planning first St. Pete location at Tyrone Gardens

August 18, 2026

Popular West Coast coffee chain Dutch Bros Coffee is planning its first St. Petersburg location at the Tyrone Gardens shopping center in west St. Pete.

Plans have been submitted to the City of St. Petersburg for a new 986-square-foot Dutch Bros at 1050 58th Street North, fronting Tyrone Boulevard on the southwest side of the shopping center.

Like most Dutch Bros locations, the new coffee shop will be built around the drive-thru experience. Plans call for two drive-thru lanes and no indoor dining area.

An opening date has not been announced.

The new Dutch Bros will rise on the site of a 25,041-square-foot building that was recently demolished, making way for the coffee shop and two additional outparcel development pads along Tyrone Boulevard.

The St. Pete location is the latest piece of Dutch Bros’ growing presence in Pinellas County.

August 18, 2026

August 17, 2026

Sola Bistro owners to open new Spanish-inspired restaurant Bararam on St. Pete Beach

August 17, 2026

The owners of Sola Bistro & Wine Bar are preparing to open a new Spanish tapas concept next door to their longtime St. Pete Beach restaurant.

Bararam, a 1,100-square-foot Spanish-inspired restaurant and bar, is expected to open this fall at 6702 Gulf Boulevard, adjacent to Sola Bistro + Wine Bar.

The concept is the latest venture from Tigran “Tig” Khachaturyan and Chef Artem “Art” Kucherenko, who have owned and operated Sola since 2015.

Bararam’s food menu will feature traditional Spanish tapas, including ceviche, pan con tomate, rabbit croquetas, Spanish omelets, and gildas, which are small skewers typically made with peppers, olives, and anchovies.

The drink menu will focus on Spanish wines, beers, ciders, and sangria, along with vermouth and sherry.

“At Bararam, we will try to stick to classic Spanish food and drinks, like what you would expect to get if you were traveling in Spain,” Khachaturyan said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “But we’ll include little twists here and there that are going to be fun.”

August 17, 2026

August 14, 2026

Leasing kicks off for first apartments at 34-acre Sky Town development in St. Pete’s Skyway Marina District

August 14, 2026

Pre-leasing is set to begin Saturday, August 15th, with move-ins scheduled after the new year at the first apartment community in Sky Town, an $800 million mixed-use development underway in St. Petersburg’s Skyway Marina District.

The 401-unit iMMiX Apartments, located at 3201 34th Street South, are part of the first phase of the 34.3-acre development being built on the former Ceridian office campus.

Once complete, Sky Town will include 2,084 apartments, 69,000 square feet of retail anchored by a 23,000-square-foot Sprouts Farmers Market, and 120,000 square feet of self-storage across six phases.

Coral Gables-based Altis Cardinal, led by developer Frank Guerra, broke ground on the iMMiX Apartments in September 2025, with Jacksonville-based Summit Contracting Group serving as general contractor.

August 14, 2026

The Henry at Whitney Village, a 325-unit apartment complex, tops out in the Grand Central District

August 14, 2026

South Carolina-based multifamily developer Greystar Real Estate Partners, in partnership with St. Pete-based Blake Investment Partners, has topped out The Henry at Whitney V illage, a five-story, 325-unit apartment complex under construction in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District.

The building is located on 3.37 acres on the east side of the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA at 3200 1st Avenue South. Greystar purchased the property from the YMCA in January 2025 for $12 million.

“We are proud to have reached this important milestone and look forward to welcoming residents to the Henry at Whitney Village in Spring 2027,” David King, managing director for development at Greystar, said in a statement to St. Pete Rising.

The apartment complex is part of the first phase of Whitney Village, a five-acre mixed-use development on a portion of the YMCA property that will include apartments, retail, and a renovated YMCA facility.

The first phase also included an extensive renovation of the 25-year-old, 54,000-square-foot YMCA facility on the west side of the property, funded by proceeds from the property sale.

August 14, 2026

August 13, 2026

Demolition to begin for EDGE Collective II, a 20-story apartment tower set to rise in the EDGE District

August 13, 2026

A chain-link fence went up last week around the site of a planned 20-story mixed-use apartment tower expected to begin construction soon in the EDGE District of downtown St. Pete.

In a conversation with St. Pete Rising, PTM Partners said it is preparing the site for demolition to make way for EDGE Collective II, which will be located at the northwest corner of 11th Street South and 1st Avenue South.

The new tower will replace the former Dr. BBQ restaurant and the buildings that previously housed Pin on Cafe, EMOTO Electric Motorbikes, and Chai Mixology.

Pin on Cafe has since relocated to 2458 Central Avenue and rebranded as Pin on Grand.

After the site has been cleared, production pile installation is expected to begin in September or early October, pending final coordination with Duke Energy on utility relocations, followed by vertical construction.

August 13, 2026

August 12, 2026

Dolcetto & Co. wine bar and bottle shop bringing Old World wines to South Pasadena

August 12, 2026

A new wine bar and bottle shop specializing in Old World wines is getting ready to open in South Pasadena.

Owners Michael De Salvia and Peter Celli are opening Dolcetto & Co. - Wine Merchant and Wine Bar at 6800 Gulfport Boulevard South, Suite 113, within a large shopping plaza that's also home to Walmart, CVS, Anytime Fitness, and Ace Hardware.

Dolcetto & Co. is expected to open this fall following renovations to the 2,100-square-foot space, which was formerly occupied by Books at Park Place.

The space will be divided roughly in half, with a four-foot barrier separating the retail bottle shop from the wine bar.

De Salvia says Dolcetto & Co. will specialize in traditional Old World wines from France, Italy, and Spain, with selections ranging from moderately priced bottles to premium offerings.

August 12, 2026

August 11, 2026

Next phase of Largo’s Rainbow Village affordable housing redevelopment submitted for permitting

August 11, 2026

The next phase of the Rainbow Village redevelopment in Largo is taking shape, with four new apartment buildings planned as part of a long-term effort expected to deliver approximately 400 affordable homes to the community.

Newstar Development, in partnership with the Pinellas County Housing Authority, recently filed construction permits for Grand Oaks, the third phase of the four-phase redevelopment at 13224 Washington Drive in Largo’s Greater Ridgecrest neighborhood.

Grand Oaks will replace 62 older public housing units with four three-story apartment buildings containing 120 affordable apartments for families earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income (AMI).

The $48.7 million development will include 33 one-bedroom apartments measuring 741 square feet, 60 two-bedroom apartments measuring 1,066 square feet, and 27 three-bedroom apartments measuring 1,341 square feet.

Residents will have access to a clubhouse and community building with a fitness center, sports courts, green space, and an attached wellness center, along with a playground and youth recreation center.

August 11, 2026

St. Pete-Clearwater Airport shelves terminal expansion plans for $145 million modernization project

August 11, 2026

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is shelving its terminal expansion plans in favor of a renovation project to modernize the existing facility.

Located in north St. Pete at 14700 Terminal Boulevard, PIE serves more than 2 million travelers annually and offers nonstop routes to more than 60 cities, primarily through Allegiant Air.

Since 2023, the airport has been preparing for an expansion that would add gates for existing and future airlines, consolidate Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, and improve passenger boarding.

However, as engineers and architects developed schematic designs, the cost of the terminal expansion climbed from a projected $110 million to more than $200 million.

After meetings with airport staff, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the TSA, a new priority emerged: modernizing the current terminal and addressing aging infrastructure.

August 11, 2026

August 10, 2026

Buddy Brew Coffee to open first Pinellas cafe inside Seminole Sprouts

August 10, 2026

Tampa-founded coffee roaster Buddy Brew Coffee is crossing the bridge with its first Pinellas County cafe, opening inside the Sprouts Farmers Market at 7263 Seminole Boulevard in Seminole Plaza.

The new in-store cafe will celebrate its grand opening Friday, August 14th, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Buddy Brew will offer $3 drinks throughout the day, and the first 25 guests will receive gift bags with exclusive merchandise, gift cards and other goodies. One guest will also win free coffee for a year.

The Seminole outpost is part of a new partnership between Buddy Brew and Sprouts that will bring 10 coffee bars to select Sprouts stores across Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida this year. Planned locations include Palm Harbor, South Tampa, Riverview, New Tampa, Trinity, Carrollwood, Valrico and South Sarasota.

The first Sprouts x Buddy Brew cafe opened June 17th at the Sprouts in Westchase.

The Seminole cafe will serve Buddy Brew’s handcrafted espresso drinks, cold brew, smoothies and specialty beverages, along with breakfast items and pastries.

Menu highlights include the Honey Lavender Flat White, Strawberry Matcha and Carrot Cake Latte, as well as the Berry Beach Smoothie, made with strawberries, mango, blueberries and pineapple.

August 10, 2026

August 6, 2026

Kaia Bowls to open in Treasure Island this fall

August 6, 2026

A new spot for açaí bowls, poke, and coffee is coming to Treasure Island this fall.

Kaia Bowls will open in October at 111 107th Avenue, Unit A, in the same plaza as Gigi’s Italian Restaurant and Lana’s Lounge. The space was previously occupied by Vine and Grind, which relocated to 7230 Central Avenue and rebranded as Brick Road Olive Oil Company.

The 1,300-square-foot café will be Kaia Bowls’ seventh Tampa Bay location, joining existing shops in downtown St. Pete, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Madeira Beach, Safety Harbor and Ybor City. The company also operates one location in Illinois, with additional outposts planned for Gainesville and Miami.

Kaia Bowls offers sweet and savory bowls made with health-conscious ingredients. Its savory menu includes poke bowls with tuna, salmon, shrimp, chicken, or tofu, along with toppings such as avocado, rice, edamame, cucumbers, and seaweed salad.

Sweet selections include açaí, pitaya, chia pudding, coconut, and oatmeal bowls topped with fruit, granola, almonds, honey, peanut butter, coconut flakes, hemp seeds, and raw cacao nibs.

The menu also includes avocado toast, juices, and smoothies.

August 6, 2026

Pinellas Ale Works to open PAW Taps & Tails in Lealman this fall

August 6, 2026

Pinellas Ale Works is expanding with a second location in Lealman.

The St. Pete brewery will open PAW Taps & Tails this fall at 5518 Haines Road North, taking over the former Dissent Craft Brewing Company taproom following its closure last summer.

The 2,400-square-foot taproom will serve as an extension of Pinellas Ale Works’ flagship brewery in the Grand Central District, which opened in 2016.

PAW Taps & Tails will feature up to 38 taps, communal seating, and retail space with dog-related merchandise, including toys, collars and treats. A food truck is also planned for the future, according to Brewery Liaison and General Manager Jeromy J. Dana.

The new taproom will also have a large parking lot, an amenity the flagship location lacks.

No major renovations are planned, but cosmetic updates will allow the taproom to offer significantly more seating than Dissent did.

August 6, 2026

August 5, 2026

Red Mesa Mercado to close in west St. Pete weeks after downtown Cantina’s closure

August 5, 2026

Red Mesa Mercado’s west St. Pete location is permanently closing less than a year after opening.

The Red Mesa team announced on social media earlier today that its Cali-Mex restaurant at 6001 Central Avenue will close August 16th.

Red Mesa Mercado’s original location in the EDGE District at 1100 1st Avenue North, along with Red Mesa Restaurant at 4912 4th Street North, will remain open.

The 150-seat restaurant opened in October 2025 in the former Two Graces and Reading Room space.

It was Red Mesa Mercado’s second location and featured a full-liquor bar, table service, and a more sit-down-focused experience than the original Mercado’s window-service model.

Red Mesa first announced plans for the west St. Pete location in late 2022, and the restaurant took about three years to open.

August 5, 2026

Shake Shack to open its first Pinellas County location in Seminole

August 5, 2026

Pinellas County will soon get its first Shake Shack.

The popular burger chain plans to open at 1165 Park Boulevard in Seminole City Center, a 37-acre, open-air retail and restaurant plaza in Seminole.

The restaurant will take over the former Pieology Pizzeria space, according to a recently issued building permit for a partial demolition and interior buildout.

Pieology closed in June 2025, after eight years in business. Its parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy that December.

Shake Shack currently has more than 690 locations worldwide, including more than 445 in the U.S. and more than 245 internationally, according to its June 2026 company update.

Shake Shack’s existing Tampa Bay area locations include International Plaza and Midtown Tampa, as well as a Wesley Chapel restaurant that opened in 2024 with the area’s first Shake Shack drive-thru.

August 5, 2026

August 4, 2026

Evangeline’s Cafe to serve specialty coffee from a converted Japanese mini truck in St. Pete

August 4, 2026

A Japanese mini truck is being transformed into a mobile café that will soon serve specialty coffee around St. Pete.

Evangeline’s Cafe is expected to debut later this summer, serving espresso drinks, matcha, chai, and more from the bed of a converted kei truck.

Owner Evangeline Fox plans to take the mobile café to local markets, concerts, art shows, and other events throughout St. Pete.

Fox, 25, moved from Maryland in 2019 to attend Eckerd College. While studying there, she became immersed in the local hospitality scene and developed an appreciation for the city’s independent coffee shops.

That sense of community is what eventually pushed her to start a café of her own.

“My friends and I would go to local coffee shops all the time, and I just saw how naturally a community could form around something as simple as a cup of coffee,” Fox said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “For me, it’s all about how coffee can connect people.”

August 4, 2026

August 3, 2026

Habitat for Humanity plans 14 affordable homes on former St. Pete church site

August 3, 2026

A former church property in St. Pete’s Lake Euclid neighborhood could soon become an affordable homeownership community.

Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside plans to build 14 affordable single-family homes at 2500 16th Street North, the former home of St. Bede Episcopal Church.

The church, constructed in 1952, was demolished in 2023.

Last July, Habitat purchased the vacant two-acre property from the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida for $1.4 million.

The local Habitat chapter initially considered building up to 39 townhomes on the site. However, following community meetings and financial analysis, the organization shifted to a smaller single-family home development.

“After numerous community meetings with the Lake Euclid neighborhood, and looking at multiple pro forma scenarios, we decided single-family homes were the best route for us,” Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside CEO Mike Sutton said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

August 3, 2026

Belleair Coffee Company to open third location on 4th Street North in St. Pete this fall

August 3, 2026

Belleair Coffee Company will replace The Blend’s former flagship cafe in the Old Northeast this fall.

The local coffee company, which has operated in Belleair Bluffs for ten years, is opening its third location at 1211 4th Street North, where it will serve house-roasted specialty coffee, baked goods, breakfast and lunch items, beer, and wine.

“I couldn't be more excited for this because that neighborhood is amazing,” co-owner Chris Whalen said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “I feel like they’re going to appreciate the kind of thing we're trying to do, which is an elevated coffee experience in a really comfortable atmosphere.”

Whalen said his team took over the 2,500-square-foot cafe this past Saturday and is targeting an early October opening after some cosmetic upgrades.

The Blend announced the closure of its 4th Street North location last week after six years in business, citing an effort to consolidate operations amid its ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.

August 3, 2026

July 31, 2026

Seminole Sourdough to open drive-thru bakery in Largo this fall

July 31, 2026

A new drive-thru bakery specializing in naturally fermented sourdough bread is coming soon to Largo.

Seminole Sourdough is expected to open this fall at 12185 Indian Rocks Road, which was previously home to a golf cart rental company and Good Vibes Juice Co. before that.

Owner Tracy Hintz is still finalizing the menu, but past offerings have included roasted garlic and rosemary, jalapeño cheddar, pumpkin spice, kalamata olive and feta, and blueberry lemon.

Seminole Sourdough’s traditional plain loaf contains just three ingredients: water, flour and salt. The slow process behind each loaf can take more than 24 hours and includes bulk fermentation, shaping, cold proofing, baking, cooling, and packaging.

“Sourdough is truly a craft, and even after two years, I am constantly learning, experimenting and refining my process,” Hintz said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

July 31, 2026

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