Derby Lane sold to new owners who may redevelop the 130-acre property
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Spanning 130 acres along Gandy Boulevard, the shuttered Derby Lane greyhound racetrack has a new owner. The St. Pete Kennel Club Inc., which owns the property, has merged with Connecticut-based Rally Acquisition Co.
“The goal is to develop the 130-acre site in a way that benefits the community, while continuing the strong performance of the club’s gaming operations,” said Scott Esterbrook, an attorney representing Rally Acquisition, in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, which first reported the news.
While specific redevelopment plans for the site at 10490 Gandy Boulevard North have not been disclosed, the new ownership recently secured a $58.25 million loan from Broadway Agency Services LLC.
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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.