St. Pete City Council rejects plan to convert historic church to event venue
/
A 100-year-old historic church in St. Pete's Euclid-St. Paul community continues to face an ominous future after City Council voted last week to deny an appeal that would have allowed the property to operate as an event venue.
Over the years, the Euclid Methodist Church property at 919 10th Avenue North, which was added to the St. Petersburg Register of Historic Places in 2004, has been eyed for potential renovation; however, time and time again, the proposals have been challenged by surrounding residents fearing additional traffic and amplified noise would change the character of their quaint neighborhood.
This time was no different.
During a City Council meeting on Thursday, councilmembers cast a split 4-4 vote, rejecting an appeal that would have permitted the new property owners to transform the church into a 180-person event venue with a seven-unit bed & breakfast operation dubbed The Treehouse.
Read More
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.