Dank Burrito to open first Pinellas location at former Boston Market in Largo

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Dank Burrito to open first Pinellas location at former Boston Market in Largo

A vacant Boston Market in Largo is getting a flavorful new lease on life.

Dank Burrito, a fast-casual restaurant known for its 90s hip-hop aesthetic and menu of tacos, burritos, and bowls, is set to open in a 3,100-square-foot space at 4001 East Bay Drive, at the corner of East Bay and Belcher Road.

Expected to open later this year, Dank Burrito is making its Pinellas County debut with graffiti-wrapped walls, colorful signage, and a menu that pushes the boundaries of traditional burrito joints.

Guests can expect menu items such as a Jerk Chicken Burrito with pineapple-mango salsa and a Pork Belly Bowl topped with kimchi or banh mi-style vegetables, sweet Thai chili sauce, cilantro, and lime.

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Steakhouse and martini bar The Blu Halo opens in north St. Pete

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Steakhouse and martini bar The Blu Halo opens in north St. Pete

A stylish new steakhouse has opened in North St. Pete.

The Blu Halo officially debuted on Monday June 30th at 221 Main Street North on the ground floor of Park & Main, a new 17-story luxury apartment tower at the growing Echelon City Center development in the Carillon Office Park.

Originally founded in Tallahassee, The Blu Halo is a steakhouse and martini bar known for its modern take on classic American fare.

The team behind The Blu Halo chose St. Pete for its second location due to the city’s growing reputation as a dining destination. In April, the Michelin Guide recognized three restaurants in St. Pete.

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West Coast cult-favorite Dutch Bros Coffee files plans for first Pinellas County location

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West Coast cult-favorite Dutch Bros Coffee files plans for first Pinellas County location

West Coast cult-favorite coffee chain Dutch Bros Coffee is planning to open its first Pinellas County location in Largo.

The new location will be built from the ground up at 2250 East Bay Drive, just west of Starkey Road.

The 967-square-foot building will include a double drive-thru and a walk-up window, designed for speed and convenience. There will be no indoor seating or customer access to the interior.

Founded in Oregon in 1992, Dutch Bros has grown to over 900 locations across the U.S.

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Churned Ice Cream opens new St. Pete shop with grab-and-go treats

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Churned Ice Cream opens new St. Pete shop with grab-and-go treats

Churned Ice Cream, the small-batch ice cream company known for serving handcrafted frozen treats out of a retro 1970s Volkswagen van, now has a permanent home in St. Pete.

The local favorite has quietly opened a production facility and grab-and-go storefront at 5504 Haines Road North in a space previously occupied by The Shop & Coffee House.

The 1,200-square-foot location houses Churned’s main production operations and a freezer-stocked retail section where customers can pick up pre-packaged goodies Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This isn't your traditional ice cream shop where you can order at the counter and dine in,” said managing partner Steve Tishman in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “But we do plan to add counter service with over 20 flavors later this year.”

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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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Whataburger files plans for Largo location, marking return to Tampa Bay after 15 years

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Whataburger files plans for Largo location, marking return to Tampa Bay after 15 years

A popular Texas-based fast food chain is making a comeback in the Tampa Bay area.

Whataburger has filed plans to open a new restaurant at 10150 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

The 3,671-square-foot building was most recently home to Joella’s Hot Chicken, which closed in October 2024. Prior to Joella’s, the space housed a Pollo Tropical, and before that, a Burger King.

According to documents submitted to the City of Largo in early 2025, Whataburger is proposing a $1.3 million remodel of the existing structure, including minor architectural and aesthetic changes, as well as interior renovations to the kitchen, lobby, and dining room.

The new restaurant will feature a drive-thru and seat 62 patrons.

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Local coffee shop Sugar Baby quietly opens inside concrete design studio in Warehouse Arts District

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Local coffee shop Sugar Baby quietly opens inside concrete design studio in Warehouse Arts District

Coffee and concrete may seem like an unlikely match, but two local businesses are making it work.

After opening to rave reviews in Seminole two years ago, local coffee shop and café Sugar Baby has quietly debuted a new location inside a concrete design studio in St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District.

Every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can stop by Form43, located at 2621 Fairfield Avenue South, to grab a drink from Sugar Baby’s new coffee bar and wander through the 2,880-square-foot space filled with modern art installations, concrete furniture, and tropical greenery in concrete planters.

The new setup is more than just a pop-up. It’s a true collaboration between two local businesses with a shared vision of blending art, design, and community.

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Bojangles to open first Tampa Bay location in Pinellas Park

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Bojangles to open first Tampa Bay location in Pinellas Park

Bojangles, the beloved Southern fast-food chain known for its fried chicken, biscuits, and sweet tea, is making its Tampa Bay debut since it last operated in the area decades ago.

The brand plans to open a new restaurant at 7930 US Highway 19 North in Pinellas Park, taking over a 2,414-square-foot space that previously housed a Burger King. Bojangles previously had several locations in Pinellas County in the 80s.

The upcoming Bojangles will feature a single-lane drive-thru located across from Walmart Supercenter on an outparcel of a retail plaza anchored by Ashley Furniture.

Other tenants in the shopping center include Bright Now Dental & Orthodontics, Fresenius Dialysis, Interior Fusion, and a nail lounge.

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Poblanos Mexican Grill and Bar to replace Village Inn in Largo

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Poblanos Mexican Grill and Bar to replace Village Inn in Largo

The family-owned and operated Poblanos Mexican Grill and Bar is expanding with a new location in Largo.

The restaurant recently secured a ten-year lease at 2659 Roosevelt Boulevard in the newly constructed, 11,500-square-foot Roosevelt Crossing retail strip, located at the southeast corner of Roosevelt Boulevard and US 19, nestled between Wawa and Walmart.

Poblanos, named after the Poblano pepper native to Puebla, Mexico, will occupy a 4,600-square-foot space previously home to the Village Inn breakfast chain, which closed earlier this year.

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St. Pete's smallest wine bar launches new coffee concept in downtown St. Pete

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St. Pete's smallest wine bar launches new coffee concept in downtown St. Pete

The smallest wine bar in St. Pete is now also the tiniest coffee shop in town.

The 18-seat Bar Chinchilla recently expanded with the launch of Cafe ‘Chilla, a morning coffee bar tucked inside its intimate space at 439 1st Avenue North.

Cafe ‘Chilla offers a menu of espresso drinks, cold brew, matcha, and specialty lattes from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

Bar Manager Lynsey Carlson shared with St. Pete Rising that the idea stemmed from a desire to create a separate cafe-like experience during the morning when the wine bar is typically closed.

“We wanted to offer something for the morning crowd, especially those attending farmers markets and local events,” Carlson said.

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