After seven years, Baba and Barbouni are preparing to close, but the future of the Grand Central District property will remain in familiar hands.

Owners George and Debbie Sayegh announced Thursday that longtime team members Andrew Duncan and Danielle McCoy will take over the restaurant space at 2701 Central Avenue with two new concepts: Barra Barra and Kaixo.

The pair have spent the past year working alongside the Sayeghs developing the concepts, which will replace Baba and Barbouni following their final service on July 3rd.

“For Debbie and I, one of the greatest privileges of Baba has been watching talented people grow within these walls,” George Sayegh wrote in a social media post announcing the transition.

“And for the past year we've been working closely with two of those people, Chef Andrew Duncan and Sommelier Danielle McCoy, to develop a new restaurant that reflects their creativity, energy, and vision,” he added.

The transition will involve remodeling and reimagining the property, which has been home to Baba since 2019 and Barbouni since 2023.

When the project is complete, Barra Barra will permanently occupy the smaller Barbouni space, while Kaixo will take over Baba's main dining room.

Many diners already got a preview of Barra Barra earlier this year.

In February, Duncan and McCoy launched Barra Barra as a month-long residency inside Barbouni.

Inspired by the Basque Country, a region spanning northern Spain and southwestern France, the concept focused on pintxos, which are small skewered bites traditionally enjoyed alongside vermouth, cider, and cocktails.

The menu featured items such as the Gilda, which is a skewered combination of house pickles, anchovy, and olive, and the Spanish Tortilla, which is a potato omelet with confit onion.

The beverage program highlighted Basque wines, vermouths, and low-ABV cocktails.

During the residency, Duncan described Basque cuisine as product-driven and rooted in a relaxed, social style of dining.

At the time, Barra Barra was billed as a temporary pop-up. In hindsight, it was also a preview of what was to come.

"Many of you got a sneak peek without even realizing it," the Sayeghs wrote. "When they took over Barbouni earlier this year with their Barra Barra residency, well that wasn't just a pop-up—it was the first glimpse of a bigger idea."

While details about Kaixo remain limited, the restaurant has been described as a concept inspired by the food, wine, and cultural traditions of the Iberian Peninsula.

The word kaixo (pronounced KYE-show) is the Basque word for ‘hello’.

Baba opened in June 2019 as a Greek and Lebanese restaurant inspired by the Sayeghs' family heritage.

The concept combined counter service and a full-service dining room and quickly became a popular destination in the Grand Central District.

The Sayeghs purchased the property in 2017 after spending years searching for a suitable location for the concept.

At the time, Debbie Sayegh described Baba as a passion project that blended the Greek and Lebanese food the couple grew up with and adapted it for a broader audience.

Four years later, the couple replaced Baba’s counter service cafe with Barbouni, a seafood-focused concept named after the red mullet fish commonly found in Greece.

The intimate nine-seat restaurant gained attention for its extensive selection of tinned fish, raw bar offerings, oysters, crudo, and craft cocktails.

The Sayeghs say additional details about the renovation and both new concepts will be announced in the coming weeks.

For now, guests have until July 3rd to visit Baba and Barbouni before the restaurants close and a new chapter begins.

Be sure to follow Barra Barra and Kaixo on Instagram for the latest updates on the new concepts.

Two prominent properties in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg have sold for a combined $32.5 million, with plans for a high-rise condominium tower on the site.

Naples-based Stock Development, a family-owned luxury real estate development and homebuilding company, has purchased the 490 First Avenue South tower, formerly home to the Tampa Bay Times, and the historic Tramor Cafeteria building at 123 4th Street South, most recently occupied by Hofbräuhaus St. Petersburg.

The two properties together comprise 1.8 acres.

"We're excited to continue expanding our brand and remain confident in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay region," Keith Gelder, president of Stock Development, said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. "We look forward to bringing a signature project to the market."

Stock Development plans to demolish the former Times building and redevelop the combined site as a high-rise condominium tower with ground-floor commercial space. Office uses may also be incorporated into the project.

The company is currently developing The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Naples, a 128-unit luxury waterfront condominium project.

The company has also unveiled plans for a mixed-use residential tower in downtown Tampa that could rise between 40 and 50 stories and include hotel rooms alongside a residential component.

The site sits directly across the street from the Residences at 400 Central, the 46-story condominium tower that currently stands as St. Petersburg's tallest building.

The Times property was listed for sale after Hurricane Milton's winds caused a construction crane at 400 Central to collapse into the structure in October 2024, rendering it uninhabitable.

Stock Development purchased the building for $18 million, according to a source familiar with the transaction.

The eight-story, 240,000-square-foot complex consists of three integrated buildings, with the original structure built in 1924 and additions completed in 1968 and 1988.

Stock Development also acquired the historic Tramor Cafeteria property for $14.5 million, according to a deed recorded Friday.

The property is one of downtown St. Petersburg's oldest surviving commercial structures and has played a prominent role in the city's history for nearly a century.

The property’s previous owner, Nuri Erol, purchased the 15,826-square-foot property in December 2021 for $7.1 million.

Constructed in 1929, the building opened as Bob's Cafeteria, was later renamed the Tramor Cafeteria, and eventually served as a staff cafeteria for the Tampa Bay Times. The original interior features Spanish-Mediterranean architecture and ceiling trusses repurposed from a 1920s airport hangar.

In 2015, Hofbrauhaus, modeled after the legendary beer hall in Munich, Germany, opened in the space. It closed in 2020 after failing to pay rent.

Erol purchased the property with plans to convert it into a food hall, but the project never moved forward.

He later leased the building to an upscale indoor golf lounge and restaurant concept, though those plans also failed to materialize.

Demolition of the former Times building is expected to begin as soon as possible, with utility relocation to be completed as part of that process.

The Hofbrauhaus building, however, is a designated historic structure, which prohibits demolition.

Stock Development plans to work with historic preservation officials to determine how it can be incorporated into the broader redevelopment.

While a branded condominium project could ultimately be pursued for the site, company officials said it is too early to discuss branding or specific project details.

The properties are zoned DC-1, one of the city's densest zoning designations, allowing substantial height and density while giving the developer significant flexibility in designing the project.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to St. Pete Rising as we continue to learn more about plans for this project.

A well-known local restaurateur is bringing French food back to St. Pete's Historic Uptown neighborhood.

Chef Jeremy Duclut is opening a second location of Marcel, his Sarasota-based European bistro with a French influence, at 1225 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North.

The restaurant will take over the former Left Bank Bistro space, which closed last fall after seven years in operation.

Unlike his other restaurant ventures, Duclut purchased the property rather than leasing it. The transaction was brokered by Jake Wollman of KW Commercial, who represented the seller, and Matt Erikson of Compass, who represented Duclut in the purchase.

"This is the first restaurant I've owned the building for," Duclut said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. "Everything else, I'm a tenant."

Duclut, who also owns Wooden Rooster in downtown St. Pete, knew he wanted his next restaurant to be in St. Pete, but preferred a neighborhood setting over downtown.

"I'm a St. Pete guy; I've always liked Left Bank and this location. I like the idea of being off the beaten path," Duclut said. "I've been there many times, and literally live a few minutes away from the place."

"I want to create a place where people can get good food without having to go downtown and find parking," he added.

Marcel's St. Pete location is slated to open this September following a series of cosmetic upgrades to the building.

Duclut said the restaurant will offer roughly 25 dishes.

While the St. Pete menu will not mirror Sarasota's exactly, many of the dishes will overlap, including its cacio e pepe and hanger steak frites with roasted shallots, maître d' butter, and red wine sauce.

"The menu won't be exactly the same, but it will be very similar," Duclut said. "I can take more risks on this menu, but I have to see what people in St. Pete will want."

Other dishes expected to carry over from Sarasota include branzino served with lobster, zucchini, basil, and almond aillade; grilled octopus with paprika, saffron, and Galician potatoes; and vegetarian meatballs with fresh burrata.

Beef bourguignon, a hearty wine-based stew with onions, carrots, and mushrooms, is expected to make a return at Marcel's St. Pete location after previously appearing on the menu in Sarasota.

Another dish planned for St. Pete is a honey-baked croissant toast topped with mortadella, pistachios, olive oil, and burrata.

For dessert, guests can expect crème brûlée, bread pudding, and cherry cobbler with caramel ice cream.

The beverage program will include wines, champagne, and craft cocktails.

The longtime chef and restaurateur got his start as an executive chef of Cassis, the Beach Drive brasserie and bakery that opened in 2010.

Originally from Burgundy, France, Duclut is a classically trained chef who moved to the United States nearly 30 years ago.

"I'm very comfortable cooking French food for American people," Duclut said. "It's the dream from every chef's point of view to cook in a smaller restaurant."

Marcel St. Pete will feature approximately 50 seats inside and another 30 seats on its outdoor patio.

When Marcel debuts later this year, it will join a growing collection of restaurants and bars along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North, including Violet Stone Pizzeria, Golden Isles Brewing Co., 86 Wine Bar, Calida Kitchen & Wine, alongside longtime neighborhood staples such as Flamingo Bar, Nitallys ThaiMex, and Trip’s Diner.

Duclut said he sees the corridor as an ideal location for the kind of neighborhood restaurant he wants Marcel to become.

Initially, Marcel will open for dinner service before eventually expanding into brunch and lunch.

Follow the restaurant on Facebook and Instagram for updates on its opening timeline in St. Pete.

A new speakeasy and lounge is getting ready to open out of a popular, locally owned coffee shop in Seminole.

Seminole residents Bella Rincon and Steven Gonzalez opened the first location of Southie Coffee in Clearwater in 2018, with a second location debuting a year later in Seminole.

Last month, its Seminole shop moved to a larger, 2,000-square-foot space in the same plaza at 13017 Park Boulevard.

The relocation not only provides customers with a larger café, but also allows the business to expand its menu and operating hours.

In the evenings, the space will transition into an entirely different concept called The Hideout, a stylish, low-lit speakeasy.

While Rincon and Gonzalez are both owners of Southie Coffee, The Hideout is Rincon’s project alone.

"Honestly, I feel like the community pushed us to grow; we grew out of the original space and out of the original concept. I think I really wanted Southie to become something more," Rincon said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

"Right now, we only cater to the morning people with breakfast and coffee, but with beer and wine at night, the speakeasy is going to offer a completely different vibe."

During the day, the cafe offers a bright, airy ambiance with greenery and natural light, but will transform into a moody, candlelit lounge with live music in the evenings.

Rincon says The Hideout's aesthetic was partially inspired by popular St. Pete concepts Bar Chica and In Between Days, the latter of which recently received a recommendation from the Michelin Guide.

The Hideout will feature a curated list of craft beers, South American wines, and fruity, wine-based cocktails.

A selection of Latin-inspired small plates like tacos and empanadas will also be offered, in an effort to honor Rincon's Venezuelan heritage and "bring a little bit of home back here."

Since the new Southie Coffee space is four times larger than its previous location, its expanded kitchen will also allow the cafe menu to grow.

New items like breakfast burritos and avocado toast are expected to be added later this month, with a full-service weekend brunch to follow.

The coffee shop sells a variety of espresso- and matcha-based drinks in addition to loose-leaf teas from TeBella. The cafe also roasts its own coffee, sourcing beans from small farms in Colombia and elsewhere in South America.

Once The Hideout opens, Rincon plans to operate Southie Coffee from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., close for an hour, and then reopen the space as a speakeasy from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Hideout may be closed on Sundays and Mondays during its soft opening phase, but cafe will remain open seven days a week.

In addition to operating two cafes and the soon-to-open speakeasy, Rincon stays active in the local community by hosting fundraisers and collaborating with other small businesses.

"I'd like people to know that we're not just another coffee shop. We're super involved with the community and our school system," Rincon said, adding that the coffee shop recently helped fundraise a scholarship for a Seminole High School senior. "I feel like that involvement in the community sets us apart from other cafes a little bit."

Follow The Hideout on Instagram for the latest updates on its soft opening this summer.

Grab a bib and a handful of napkins, because a new barbecue spot is headed to downtown St. Pete.

Southern Luv BBQ, a fast-casual concept that debuted its first location in Tampa two years ago, is coming soon to the EDGE District.

Chef Essi Tadrus and a local franchisee have signed a lease for a 1,256-square-foot space at 900 Central Avenue that was formerly part of Anytime Fitness.

The restaurant will have seating for approximately 20 guests indoors, with additional outdoor seating along Central Avenue.

The local franchisee, a St. Pete resident with more than 30 years of restaurant experience, has committed to opening 13 locations throughout Florida, including Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Lakeland, and South Florida.

The St. Pete location is expected to open later this year.

In addition to the restaurant, Southern Luv will also include a small country store selling branded potato chips, beef jerky, St. Pete-themed merchandise, and other retail items.

“St. Petersburg is very near and dear to me,” Tadrus said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “It’s where my wife and I met and is filled with energy and joy. I’ve had my eyes on St. Pete for a very long time.”

Southern Luv’s menu includes St. Louis-style ribs, smoked sausage, pulled pork, 12-hour smoked beef brisket, smoked chicken, and ham, served as platters, bowls, or sandwiches.

Guests can choose from several house-made sauces, including Sweet and Tangy, Sweet Carolina, Bama White Sauce, and Florida Sweet Heat.

In addition to the regular menu, Southern Luv offers select items unique to each market it serves.

“Having a culinary background and flexibility, we want to have dishes that cater specifically to different markets,” Tadrus said.

As a tribute to Tampa’s culinary heritage, Southern Luv BBQ offers its own take on the Cuban sandwich featuring smoked pork and house-made ham.

The restaurant's smoked-pork Cuban sandwich placed second in the World's Best Traditional Cuban Sandwich competition at the 2026 International Cuban Sandwich Festival. A year earlier, its brisket-based Cuban finished second in the non-traditional category.

“In the new Fort Lauderdale location, we may have Latin-influenced items like our brisket empanada, which we’ve made before, and crowds loved it,” Tadrus said.

“In St. Pete, you have many active people who are on the go, and we may be able to offer lighter items like smoked chicken Caesar salad, a cucumber and tomato salad, and fruit.”

Sides such as coleslaw, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese will also be available.

Desserts include scratch-made banana pudding, a limited item that typically sells out quickly.

To drink, Southern Luv BBQ will offer iced tea, Coke products, beer, and wine.

To maintain consistency across locations, most of Southern Luv’s food will be prepared at a central production facility before being delivered to individual restaurants.

The approach differs from traditional barbecue restaurants, which typically rely on large smokers.

“It’s hard for a barbecue place to open in a new market with massive buildouts, high overhead costs, slow service, and limited location flexibility,” he said. “Our proprietary kitchen operations model allows us to cut out those costs and focus on the guest experience that starts at the window.”

Tadrus, who lives in the Tampa Bay area, traces his passion for barbecue back to childhood. He had his first taste of barbecue at age four at Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q in Fort Hood, Texas, where his father was stationed.

“As an Army brat, whenever my dad would come home from deployment, we would have these big barbecues bringing the family together,” Tadrus said. “I just want to bring people together and enjoy delicious meals.”

Tadrus later traveled throughout the southern United States, studying regional barbecue styles and techniques before opening his first restaurant at age 19.

Pending permits and interior renovations, the restaurant is expected to open by November or December next to a future BankUnited branch.

“It may seem like this franchise expansion happened overnight, but this has been 20 years in the making to get it to fruition,” Tadrus said. “We have every intention to let St. Pete know we are there to serve them.”

The restaurant will initially be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

A newly-opened shop in St. Petersburg's Grand Central District is taking a different approach to second-hand retail, stocking its shelves with items sourced directly from local storage units and personal estates rather than thrift stores.

Alligator Camp recently opened at 2937 Central Avenue, located between pottery studio Sugar Cream Clay and artist co-op Daydream Shop.

The space was formerly occupied by The Nook, a tattoo studio and event space that quietly closed its doors earlier this year.

Local couple Lauralie Bradford and Ryan Vargus own the second-hand shop, which sells everything from physical media like VHS tapes, DVDs, vinyl records, and books to vintage decor and art.

Bradford has been selling vintage and homemade jewelry with her brand Shop the Genesis for the past decade, while Vargus and his father have run a business for the past several years where they clear out storage units and personal estates and resell vintage goods.

The couple decided to combine their talents and launch a vintage resale business called Alligator Camp.

For the past three years, they sold vintage clothes and decor at Daydream Shop, a creative co-op retail store owned and operated by local artists.

When the 500-square-foot space next to Daydream Shop became available earlier this year, the couple decided to open their own storefront.

Instead of shopping at local thrift stores and reselling used goods at higher prices, everything sold at Alligator Camp is sourced directly from local storage units and personal estates.

“When we clear out storage units, this stuff gets reclaimed and brought back to life instead of being thrown in the dumpsters,” Bradford said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

“I hope that we can appeal to people who maybe want something a little different in the vintage scene; I’d like to create some sort of swampy wonderland that's ever changing, but isn't rooted in clearing out a store down the street,” she added.

Since all of the storage units that Vargus clears out are located in the greater Tampa Bay area, many of the items that Alligator Camp sells are Florida-themed, including kitschy decor adorned with oranges, dolphins, Disney characters, and, of course, alligators.

Bradford also repurposes pre-owned clothing into merchandise for Alligator Camp.

“Getting to create our own branding and merch is definitely one of my favorite parts of the business; we’re really trying to create something different within the vintage space,” Bradford said. “My dream is to become the sort of St. Pete staple that people bring their kids to for years to come.”

Although the shop has only been open for a few weeks, VHS tapes, DVDs, cassettes, and vinyl records have emerged as early best-sellers. The store also carries a small selection of VHS players and vintage televisions.

Bradford said she plans to launch a rental service modeled after the now-defunct Blockbuster, allowing customers to rent movies and CDs for a small fee. The idea comes as physical media continues to see a resurgence among younger consumers.

Over the next few months, the owners hope to host markets with neighboring businesses and collaborate with other vintage sellers in St. Pete.

Bradford hopes that the opening of other new businesses in the area, including Lakeland Film Lab and Nightwatch Wine Bar, will help bring additional foot traffic to the area.

Alligator Camp is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

St. Pete Pride returns later this month with several weeks of events leading up to its signature parade and festival during the final weekend of June.

The annual celebration is expected to draw more than 300,000 attendees to downtown St. Petersburg for a weekend of entertainment, community events, and one of the largest Pride parades in the Southeast.

This year’s theme is “Here Comes the Sun,” which was selected by organizers to celebrate visibility, community, and LGBTQ+ culture.

Parade day festivities begin Saturday, June 27th at 2 p.m. at North and South Straub parks and will feature live music, local entertainers and artists, more than 100 vendors and exhibitors, and a variety of food and drink options.

The Trans March begins at 5 p.m., followed by the main parade at 6 p.m.

The parade route starts at Albert Whitted Park (near Al Lang Stadium) and travels along Bayshore Drive to Vinoy Park.

On parade day, free parking will be available from 11 a.m. to midnight at St. Petersburg High School, located at 2501 5th Avenue North. Additional parking will be available at Tropicana Field Lots 6 and 7. Free shuttle service will operate from those locations to areas near the parade route.

Festivities continue on Sunday, June 28th, with the St. Pete Pride Street Fair in the Grand Central District from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The event will feature local vendors, live entertainment, food, and community organizations.

Beyond the parade and street fair, St. Pete Pride hosts a variety of events throughout June.

Thursday, June 18 – Surreal Summer Nights at The Dali

In collaboration with St. Pete Pride, The Dali Museum will host an evening featuring music from DJ Darlux from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 20 – Tampa Bay Rays Pride Game

The Rays will host a Pride-themed event as they take on the Washington Nationals. Fans can purchase a Pride ticket package that includes a game ticket and a Pride-themed snapback. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m.

Sunday, June 21 – Pride Pool Party

Casa del Merman Clothing Optional Resort will host a Pride Pool Party from noon to 4 p.m. Music will be provided by DJ Bill Kody. Food and drinks are included with the suggested $20 donation.

Thursday, June 25 – Transtastic

Hosted at The James Museum, Transtastic celebrates the local transgender and non-binary community with live performances, entertainment, community programming, and a cash bar. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday, June 26 – Slay the Bay

Slay the Bay will bring a concert and night market to Al Lang Stadium beginning at 7:30 p.m. Performers include Chinchilla, Flyana Boss, and Cain Culto.

St. Pete Pride 2026 comes as local governments across Florida prepare for the implementation of Senate Bill 1134, which takes effect January 1st, 2027. The legislation prohibits cities and counties from operating or funding diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

St. Pete Pride itself is not prohibited by the legislation. However, questions remain about whether the law could affect how local governments participate in or support Pride-related events in the future.

Last year, a rainbow crosswalk at 25th Street and Central Avenue was removed following the state’s ban on non-standard street markings. In response, the City of St. Petersburg painted nearby bike racks in the colors of the Pride flag and transgender flag.

St. Pete Pride also takes place at a time when some Pride celebrations elsewhere in Florida have faced challenges. Earlier this year, Tampa Pride organizers announced they would not hold a 2026 event, citing the current political and economic climate.

For the latest updates and announcements, visit St. Pete Pride’s website and follow along on Instagram and Facebook.

The Chattaway will remain open after all.

In March, St. Pete Rising reported that The Chattaway property at 358 22nd Avenue South was under contract and that St. Petersburg's longest-running restaurant was expected to close after the sale.

While the sale remains on track, the purchasing group has decided to continue operating the restaurant rather than shutter it.

The south St. Pete institution will be acquired by a local ownership group led by real estate investor Cullen Mahoney, who recently brought on Ferg's Sports Bar owner Mark Ferguson and Shrimpy's Waterfront owner John John Delladonna to keep the 75-year-old restaurant alive.

The sale is expected to be finalized in August, but according to Ferguson, customers should not expect any interruption to The Chattaway's operations.

The 0.70-acre property could have just as easily ended up in the hands of a developer, putting the restaurant at risk of demolition.

Instead, Mahoney put the site under contract in March and began looking for partners who shared his vision of keeping the restaurant intact.

"The Chattaway stays The Chattaway," Mahoney said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

The restaurant dates back to 1951 when Helen Lund purchased the business.

She was later joined by her son Everett Lund, and eventually his wife Jillian Frers, who became part of the ownership in the 1970s.

Over the decades, the restaurant became a local institution, drawing generations of residents and visitors with its burgers, eclectic décor, afternoon tea service, and lush garden seating area.

For Ferguson, preserving the restaurant is a chance to protect a piece of local history.

“I grew up in Lakewood Estates in south St. Pete,” Ferguson said to St. Pete Rising. “When I was a kid, we'd ride our bikes to The Chattaway, then head down to 3rd Street, go over Thrill Hill, and skate at the Bayfront Center during the summer.”

Ferguson also spent 18 years teaching P.E. and health at Southside Fundamental Middle School (now Midtown Academy), located about a mile from The Chattaway.

Mahoney said the new ownership group has no plans to fundamentally change the restaurant that generations of residents have come to know and love.

“We care about every photo that's under polyurethane stuck to the bar. We care about every plaque screwed into the wall,” Mahoney said. “We're keeping it what it is because that's what makes it important to St. Pete.”

Instead, the plan is to preserve the restaurant's character while making operational improvements and adding new amenities.

Among the changes being considered are obtaining a liquor license, expanding event programming, and making improvements to the outdoor dining area.

“There'll be liquor, and we hope to put a roof over the patio to keep the sun and rain off people,” Ferguson said.

The ownership group is also exploring additional live music, community events, and small vendor markets similar to those Ferguson hosts at Ferg's.

Additionally, Delladonna’s involvement will likely lead to an expanded selection of seafood dishes on the menu.

“We're going to make exactly what they're doing better,” Mahoney said. “The intention is to take the vibe, take the existing infrastructure and make it sustainable.”

According to Ferguson, the restaurant will remain open throughout the ownership transition.

Once the sale is finalized, the new owners plan to gradually implement improvements before hosting a grand reopening celebration for the community.

“It's a community project,” Ferguson said.

A proposed expansion of St. Petersburg's residential parking program failed to gain traction Thursday, as City Council opted not to move forward with an ordinance that would have created a new tool for neighborhoods dealing with overflow parking from nearby commercial areas.

The issue gained renewed attention in recent months as City Council discussed and eventually approved the SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit Overlay, which eliminated minimum parking requirements for new development along much of the Central Avenue corridor west of 19th Street.

During those discussions, residents in neighborhoods including Historic Kenwood raised concerns about potential overflow parking from the Grand Central District.

Residents along the 4th Street North and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North corridors, including Allendale Terrace, Crescent Heights, and Magnolia Heights, voiced similar concerns as commercial activity continues to expand in those areas.

Some city leaders initially pointed to residential parking permit programs as a potential solution.

According to Transportation & Parking Management Director Evan Mory, St. Petersburg's residential permit parking program dates back to 1992 and was originally created to address parking pressures in downtown-adjacent neighborhoods.

As downtown grew, the program expanded westward and eventually into Old Northeast, where permit parking was used to limit parking by employees and visitors whose destination was outside the neighborhood.

More recently, city staff said similar parking pressures have emerged in neighborhoods throughout the city as St. Petersburg has grown beyond downtown.

“Businesses continue to open and expand along various commercial corridors, major roadways, and in pockets along lower-volume roadways in the City, while neighborhoods continue to experience challenges with overflow customer and employee parking,” Mory wrote in a memo to the city’s Public Services and Infrastructure (PSI) Committee ahead of an April meeting.

The ordinance would have created a framework for Neighborhood Resident Only Parking Areas, giving residents in certain neighborhoods a path to petition for permit-only parking restrictions on residential streets.

Rather than automatically creating new parking zones, the proposal established a process for evaluating future requests.

Under the proposed program, neighborhoods would have needed support from at least two-thirds of households before the city would conduct a parking study.

To qualify, an area would also have needed to demonstrate that parking occupancy exceeded 75% and that at least 25% of parked vehicles belonged to people who did not live nearby.

If a neighborhood qualified, the decision to implement a Neighborhood Resident Only Parking Area would go before City Council approval for approval.

Throughout the discussion, one question remained at the center of the debate: if residents receive greater access to neighborhood parking, where do employees and customers of nearby businesses park?

In his memo, Mory acknowledged the challenge directly.

“Unfortunately, to make parking abutting residential property more available to residents, employee overflow parking into neighborhoods may need to be reduced and is a tradeoff for consideration,” he wrote.

During Thursday's public hearing, business owners argued that tradeoff could have significant negative consequences.

“I think over the last two years we've all seen dozens of small businesses close,” said Steve McGarry, owner Wildflower Ice Cream on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North. “It's just a bad time basically for a lot of businesses with rising rents, insurance, health care, all that good stuff.”

McGarry urged city leaders to consider conducting an economic impact study before pursuing similar restrictions in the future, noting that many businesses, employees, and customers depend on nearby residential streets for parking.

Representatives of the business community also praised city staff for working to address concerns raised after the ordinance's first reading.

An additional provision was discussed to create a buffer zone that would have prohibited resident-only permit parking areas within one block of major commercial corridors.

“Passage of this ordinance without the added language, I believe, would have the potential for unintended disastrous consequences,” said Phillip Ingram, owner of Trip’s Diner.

Trip’s Diner, which has been a beloved local staple for about 14 years, has an on-site parking lot behind the building that only holds about 10 to 15 cars.

“The one-block [protection] is fine. I know at my spot, people are parking blocks away,” chimed in Daniel Fekete, co-owner of The Violet Stone.

He relocated his business from Kenwood to Crescent Heights in July 2025. Fekete said the pizzeria pays other businesses to utilize their parking.

“We can’t just survive on people who live in these neighborhoods [and can walk here],”  Fekete said.

Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz said the ordinance represented an attempt to provide neighborhoods with a workable solution while balancing competing interests.

“This was a good faith effort in dealing with an issue that's been brought to me in various forms…to have a solution without people being here with pitchforks,” Hanewicz said during council discussion.

The discussion also highlighted another challenge.

City staff previously noted that St. Petersburg currently lacks the personnel and systems necessary to enforce resident-only parking zones outside downtown and adjacent neighborhoods.

Expanding enforcement would likely require additional staffing, vehicles, and administrative support.

With no vote taken Thursday, the ordinance has effectively reached the end of its current path forward.

While the issue could return to committee at a future date, there appeared to be little support for continuing the discussion.

A vintage furniture dealer is expanding her footprint in north St. Pete with the opening of Atomic Cat Cafe, a retro-inspired coffee shop filled with antiques and collectibles from her personal collection.

Atomic Cat Cafe opens today at 10387 Gandy Boulevard North Unit 102, in the same plaza as owner Ingrid Bridges' other two businesses, furniture store IM Vintage and thrift shop Ingrid's.

Bridges, who grew up in St. Petersburg, opened a storefront for her mid-century modern furniture business in the Gandy plaza in 2020 with the help of her husband and two children.

In 2024, she launched a vintage shop on the other side of the plaza.

As more furniture sales shifted online, Bridges recently decided to relocate IM Vintage to a smaller space within the plaza and transform its former 2,500-square-foot storefront into a coffee shop.

“I technically didn't need this big of a space for furniture and the girls that worked at Ingrid’s kept telling me how awesome it would be if I opened a coffee shop in the plaza, since thrifting and coffee go hand in hand,” Bridges said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

“The girls told me they wanted a coffee shop that didn’t feel so sterile, somewhere where they could relax and be with their friends,” she added.

Bridges and her family have spent the past year building out the cafe and are now ready to welcome their first customers.

With beans sourced from Tampa-based roaster Wuz Here and fresh sourdough products from a local baker, Atomic Cat Cafe combines a customizable coffee menu with a vintage-inspired setting.

The cafe was furnished using inventory from Im Vintage and pieces from Bridges' personal collection.

The cafe features two distinct spaces. One side is designed around a retro 1970s theme with bright colors and patterns, intended for conversation and spinning vinyl records.

The other offers a darker, more studious atmosphere with leather seating and Victorian-style decor.

Charging ports, cables and free Wi-Fi are available throughout the cafe, encouraging customers take their time and not rush out the door.

The menu includes espresso-based beverages, drip coffee, cold brew, matcha, chai, teas, and dirty sodas.

Specialty lattes include the Arista-Cat Latte, made with brown sugar, housemade bourbon syrup, and orange cold foam; and the Cheshire Cat, flavored with rose syrup, cardamom syrup, and vanilla syrup.

Atomic Cat's food offerings currently include bagels, muffins and pastries, along with grab-and-go snacks and other prepared items.

Bridges said she also plans to host creative workshops, book clubs, and other laid-back community events at the cafe.

The coffee shop's name is inspired by the elongated, geometric cats that were a popular motif in mid-century modern decor, helping connect the new cafe to Bridges' other businesses.

Several decorative pieces throughout Atomic Cat are available for purchase, along with branded merchandise repurposed from secondhand clothing.

Despite now operating three businesses within the plaza, Bridges said she still has additional plans for the property.

“It is kind of cool to be able to slowly get things going in this area, and it’s really worked out for us so far,” she added.

Atomic Cat Cafe will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and closed Mondays.

When the Old Northeast Tavern closed for renovations, its loyal customer base assumed its doors would reopen shortly.

Nearly two years have passed, and the tavern and its adjacent pizzeria have remained closed—but not for much longer.

The Old Northeast Tavern, which has been a local staple for nearly two decades at 201 7th Avenue North, is expected to reopen later this year, co-owner Robert “Bob” Wareham said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

Wareham and his business partner, Mark Brindle, have owned the beloved pub and neighboring pizzeria, Old Northeast Pizza, since 2008.

The tavern, which originally opened in 2006, occupies part of a building that also houses Black Crow Coffee.

The building was constructed in 1925, back when the neighborhood was referred to as North Shore. It was in the 1970s that the neighborhood adopted its current name, Old Northeast.

Long before it became Old Northeast Tavern, the corner space served generations of neighborhood residents as a pharmacy, market, diner and restaurant.

Over the decades, tenants included Fender's Pharmacy, Elsie's Market, North Shore Sundries, Nan & Lou's Fountainette, N&L's Restaurant, and Ambrosia, a Mediterranean fusion restaurant that occupied the space before the tavern opened in 2006.

When the tavern closed for renovations and expansion in late 2024, plans called for a reopening in the summer of 2025. However, permitting issues delayed the project.

Prior to closing, the tavern served as a neighborhood gathering spot in the Old Northeast, known for its rustic charm, laid-back atmosphere, craft beer selection and American pub fare.

Both the pizzeria and tavern will retain their familiar character while benefiting from updated kitchen equipment and a large dining room that connects the two businesses.

Customers will once again be able to order pizza while dining at the tavern, though the two concepts will continue to operate with separate menus.

Old Northeast Pizza is known for its thin-crust New Jersey-style pies, including specialty offerings such as the Del Mar, topped with crab, shrimp and smoked Gouda, and the Wild Mushroom, featuring shiitake and crimini mushrooms, prosciutto and pesto.

The tavern's menu has traditionally centered on elevated pub fare, including sandwiches, quesadillas and salads. Popular items include its Reuben sandwich and Chicken and Plantain Quesadilla.

Wareham said the tavern may introduce several new menu items after reopening, including burgers and fries—a first for the restaurant.

Additionally, the tavern has obtained a liquor license and plans to offer cocktails when it reopens.

Wareham said both businesses are expected to reopen later this year.

A new tea cafe serving imported matcha, hojicha, and oolong teas alongside Vietnamese comfort food opens tomorrow in Pinellas Park.

Oou Cha, located at 6251 34th Street North, will celebrate its grand opening on June 11th in the former Moonlight Boba space.

Unlike many cafes, Oou Cha will not serve coffee, instead focusing exclusively on specialty teas sourced from Japan and China.

The 1,300-square-foot cafe is owned by sisters Tammy Lien and Kim Vo, both 19, who launched the concept with support from their parents, who have extensive hospitality experience.

“We’re Vietnamese and we love the Vietnamese style of coffee, but there are already a lot of places to get that around here,” Lien said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

“We grew up drinking tea and watching our parents drink tea every day,” Lien continued. “We felt there was an opportunity to introduce people to something a little more niche and complex.”

The menu centers on premium teas, including single-cultivar matcha and hojicha imported from Kagoshima, Japan, as well as Dan Cong oolong tea sourced from China’s Guangdong Province.

Unlike matcha, hojicha is a roasted Japanese green tea known for its nutty, smoky flavor profile and lower caffeine content.

“We’re really trying to experiment with flavors and highlight the floral, citrus, and sometimes woody notes that naturally occur in tea,” Vo said.

Among Oou Cha’s signature beverages are the Strawberries and Cream Matcha Latte made with house-made strawberry sauce and salted cold foam; the Banana Hojicha Latte, which contains caramelized banana puree and toasted hojicha; and the Wintermelon Mountain Cap Tea Latte, which combines roasted oolong tea, wintermelon syrup, fresh milk, salted cold foam, and candied pecans.

Other offerings include a Pandan Matcha Latte, Coconut Matcha Latte, Floral Jasmine Tea Latte, Peachy Oolong Tea Latte, and a Matcha Einspanner, which is Oou Cha’s tea-based take on the traditional Viennese beverage typically made with espresso and whipped cream.

Beyond drinks, Oou Cha offers a menu of Vietnamese dishes, including pho made with a 100% bone broth base, Trieu Chau egg noodles with shrimp and pork tenderloin, slow-braised beef stew served with toasted baguette, crispy shrimp with tamarind sauce, chicken wings, and egg rolls.

The sisters said the business is deeply personal, down to the smallest details.

Their father, who also has construction and engineering experience, spent the past several months renovating the space, reconfiguring the layout, and upgrading the kitchen.

The cafe’s warm, earth-toned interior was inspired by traditional Chinese tea ceremonies, with teapots and other tea accessories displayed throughout the space.

Even the business logo carries a personal touch, featuring an illustration of the sisters’ childhood dog.

The sisters plan to expand the menu over time with seasonal beverages and additional food offerings inspired by family recipes and their Cantonese-Vietnamese heritage.

“We know we’re still young and have a lot to learn,” Vo said. “But we also think we bring a different perspective. Tammy and I have something special that we want to share with our guests. This business is very personal for us and we’re very fortunate to have our parents supporting us.”

Oou Cha’s grand opening will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 11th. The first 120 customers will receive a gift box from the newly opened business.

Regular hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays, and closed Tuesdays.

Be sure to follow Oou Cha on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest offerings.

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St. Petersburg’s first hotel-branded luxury condo tower has surpassed $200 million in sales ahead of its anticipated groundbreaking later this year.

The 50-story, 163-unit Waldorf Astoria Residences St. Petersburg, planned for 150 2nd Avenue South, reached the sales milestone roughly eight months after the development team announced the project had exceeded $100 million in sales.

In addition to its residences, the tower will include 73,000 square feet of Class A office space.

The project, which is expected to become the tallest building in the city, is being co-developed by Miami-based Property Markets Group (PMG) and St. Petersburg-based Feldman Equities, in partnership with Vancouver-based City Office REIT and Orlando-based Tower Realty Partners.

“Reaching $200 million sold at Waldorf Astoria Residences St. Petersburg is a landmark achievement and a powerful signal that demand for highly amenitized, hospitality-driven luxury residences in the Greater Tampa Bay Area is real and growing,” PMG Managing Partner Ryan Shear said in an announcement.

The $500 million tower will feature two- and three-bedroom residences, with prices currently starting at $2.9 million.

Residences will range from 2,031 to 3,408 square feet, with interiors designed by the San Francisco-based firm BAMO. Each home will feature a private entry foyer, expansive balconies and views of Tampa Bay. Units will include luxury finishes such as Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, natural stone surfaces and custom-built closets.

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Last July, a local businessman purchased one of the tower’s two-story, 11,000-square-foot penthouses for $27 million, setting a new record for the Tampa Bay condominium market.

One penthouse remains available.

“The success of the sales at Waldorf Astoria Residences St. Petersburg is a testament to its enthusiastic reception here in St. Pete,” Feldman Equities CEO Larry Feldman said in an announcement.

“The exceptional design, along with unparalleled service and tailored experiences offered to owners, truly set it apart as a transformational project for the city,” Feldman continued. “We are eagerly looking ahead to a groundbreaking alongside our partners at PMG.”

Designed by architecture firm CUBE 3, the tower will feature a cantilevered design above a 17-story podium, creating the appearance that the structure is floating above its base. The building will include a double-height ground floor, 11 levels of parking and bicycle storage facilities.

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The building will also feature a 20,000-square-foot amenity deck on the 18th floor with a 160-foot east-facing pool, a sunset pool with dual spas, massage rooms, saunas, steam rooms, a fitness and movement studio, and dedicated spaces for children and teens.

A second amenity level is planned near the top of the tower. The 47th-floor Peacock Alley Sky Lounge will include a sunset bar, pool deck, lounge areas, and an outdoor terrace.

Peacock Alley traces its roots to the original Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, where guests gathered to socialize and be seen. Today, the name is used for signature lounges and gathering spaces at Waldorf Astoria properties around the world.

The development team expects to break ground by the end of the year, with the tower scheduled for completion in 2030.

For more information, visit the project’s website.

LX Coffee, a mobile coffee cart known for serving specialty lattes topped with edible gold, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location in downtown St. Pete.

The coffee company will occupy around 2,200 square feet inside a new fitness concept by Rare Body Studio opening this fall at 290 Dr. MLK Jr. Street North

“After catering so many events and seeing the growth in the St. Pete market, we knew it was the right time to open a shop,” said Natalie Matsuk, who owns LX Coffee with her husband, Andrey.

The shop will feature a black-and-gold design, dim lighting, wood accents, a small merchandise area and a 21-foot-long bar as its centerpiece.

The cafe will offer seating for around 40 to 50 guests, including 8 to 10 seats outdoors along the sidewalk.

The coffee shop and Pilates studio will operate side-by-side, allowing visitors to move between the two spaces throughout the day.

LX Coffee's menu will mirror the offerings currently served from its mobile cart.

The company has become known for its signature 24K Gold Latte, along with creations like the 24K Biscoff Brulee Latte and the 24K Black Lava Latte, which is made with espresso, ricotta cold foam, house-made vanilla syrup, chocolate drizzle, and cannoli chips.

The shop sources its coffee from local roaster Look Alive Coffee and also serves ceremonial-grade matcha imported from Kyoto, Japan.

The cafe may also add pastries and small bites from local vendors.

The storefront is the next step for the business, which has grown quickly since launching as a mobile coffee concept in late 2024.

Natalie and Andrey were inspired to start the business during their honeymoon in Dubai, where they were served lattes topped with 24-karat gold.

"We jumped right in as mobile to see if the concept would even work, serving lattes with gold," Matsuk said. "By attending pop-ups and markets and getting plugged into the community, we quickly expanded to corporate events, private events and now the next step is brick-and-mortar."

Customers will find LX Coffee's peacock logo throughout the space, a reference to both the peacocks commonly seen in Dubai and the birds that roam many St. Pete neighborhoods.

The couple first met Rare Body Studio owner Colette Delangre last October when LX Coffee hosted a pop-up at the studio's existing location next door at 276 Dr. MLK Jr. Street North.

During the event, Delangre showed them the neighboring space she was preparing to convert into a dedicated cadillac and chair studio.

Both the Pilates Cadillac and Pilates Chair are specialized pieces of equipment used for resistance-based strength training, flexibility work, and rehabilitation exercises.

The new studio will focus on smaller-format classes designed to improve mobility, balance, posture, and full-body strength.

“Although we had just met, it quickly evolved into a shared vision and a lot of excitement. We all saw an opportunity to create something unique that combined wellness, hospitality, and community under one roof,” Matsuk said.

“We will complement each other—serving guests coming in to take a class or people who want to work remotely and enjoy coffee and community,” she added.

In addition to espresso beverages, LX Coffee plans to serve beer and wine.

"We'd like to be a day and evening operation," Matsuk said. "People working out in the studio and those needing a place to work remotely can come here during the day, and at night, everyone can unwind."

LX Coffee is expected to open this fall.

Follow them on Instagram for updates on the grand opening, new menu items, and upcoming events.

A new indoor play village designed for children six and under is coming to Pinellas Park this fall, offering families a place where kids can explore, pretend, and socialize through imaginative play.

Tiny Avenue Play Co. is opening at 7314 U.S. Highway 19 North in the Shoppes at Park Place shopping center, next to Pickleball Kingdon and replacing clothing store chain Rainbow.

Set to debut on September 5th, the 4,300-square-foot facility will feature 15 miniature playhouses designed to resemble real-world destinations, including a grocery store, fire station, construction site, bakery, vet clinic, gas station, bank, and more.

The business is being brought to Pinellas Park by husband-and-wife team Jake and Caylen Babbitt, local entrepreneurs who say becoming parents inspired them to open the type of play space they wanted for their two-year-old daughter.

"We saw an opportunity in our area to open up a high-end play facility that we don't have to charge crazy prices for people to come and enjoy," Jake Babbitt said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

The Babitts met at Florida State University, where they studied education. Caylen went on to teach at private middle schools and high schools, specializing in educating neurodivergent children and those on the Autism spectrum. Jake was working for a South Florida-based construction company.

The couple moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2020 and built a successful roofing company before turning their attention to a new venture focused on young families.

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As parents, they frequently visited children's attractions and birthday parties throughout the region, but felt there was room for a different approach.

"There are quite a few young child play areas, and they all do a great job," Babbitt said. "But we wanted to create something that felt thoughtfully curated, clean, safe and high-end without the high-end price tag."

Unlike traditional indoor playgrounds centered around climbing structures and jungle gyms, Tiny Town focuses on imaginative role play.

Children can act as firefighters, veterinarians, construction workers, bakers, mechanics, and shopkeepers while interacting with age-appropriate props and activities.

One playhouse resembles a service station complete with toy tools and a vehicle that children can partially disassemble and reassemble.

Another recreates a veterinary clinic stocked with stuffed animals. Other structures include interactive puzzles, climbing elements, and slides integrated into the designs.

Babbitt said the goal is to give children opportunities to become active participants rather than observers.

"We're bystanders to so much of what happens in our children's lives," he said. "This gives the child an opportunity to not be a bystander, but be the main character."

Tiny Avenue Play Co.’s playhouses are being manufactured by Pennsylvania-based Lilliput Play Homes, a company that specializes in custom-designed children's environments.

Each structure ranges from approximately five-by-five feet to six-by-seven feet, with layouts tailored specifically for Tiny Avenue Play Co.

In addition to daily play, Tiny Avenue Play Co. plans to host birthday parties in two private party rooms.

Babbitt said the facility was intentionally designed to accommodate private events while remaining open to members and drop-in guests.

"Members should be able to access our facility seven days a week during operating hours," he said. "That was important to us."

Birthday packages will include private party rooms capable of accommodating approximately 12 children plus accompanying adults.

Families will also have the option to order food through nearby restaurants such as Domino's, Chick-fil-A, and Jersey Mike's.

The business is also emphasizing safety and cleanliness. Employees will be required to pass Level 2 background screenings, similar to those required for teachers.

Staff members will conduct hourly cleaning checks and maintain cleaning logs throughout the day.

"We built our other business on transparency," Babbitt said. "If somebody wants to know when something was cleaned, we can show them."

The facility will feature integrated parent seating throughout the play village rather than separating adults from children behind barriers or designated lounge areas.

Babbitt said the design encourages parents to remain engaged while still allowing children the freedom to explore independently.

Tiny Avenue Play Co. will offer both drop-in admission and monthly memberships.

Admission will cost $19.99 per visit, while monthly memberships start at $29.99 for one child.

Founding memberships are currently available for the first 200 families and include discounted pricing before the facility opens.

According to Babbitt, affordability was a central consideration throughout the planning process.

"All children, regardless of their socioeconomic status, deserve a high-end quality, clean, safe, and fun place to enjoy year-round," he said.

Tiny Avenue Play Co. is expected to open September 5th and will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The business also plans to host ongoing community events, including monthly visits from the Pinellas Park Fire Department to provide free car-seat inspections and fire safety education for families.

The City of St. Pete recorded a record $1.44 billion in construction value in 2025 while employment, household incomes, and the local labor force continued to grow, according to data presented Wednesday during the city's annual State of the Economy address at the Mahaffey Theater.

Mayor Ken Welch, alongside city officials and economic development leaders, provided an annual update on the city’s current economic standing.

“The state of our economy is not only measured by what we build, but it is also measured by who benefits, who belongs, and who can see a future here,” City Council Chair Lisset Hanewicz said during the address.

“Local governments cannot control interest rates, insurance costs, global supply chains, inflation or the weather, but we do shape conditions that help determine whether people can succeed despite those challenges,” Hanewicz said.

“We decide how to invest in infrastructure, plan for growth, whether our neighborhoods are connected, whether city processes are thoughtful and responsive, and whether we prepare for storms before they arrive rather than reacting afterward.”

Snapshot of St. Pete

St. Petersburg's population reached roughly 266,000 residents in 2025, continuing a gradual increase over the last several years.

The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area also compared favorably with several similar markets in the Council for Community and Economic Research's Cost of Living Index.

The region received a composite score of 97.3, below the national benchmark of 100.

Construction activity remained a major driver of the local economy.

The city issued more than 54,000 permits in 2025, representing roughly $1.44 billion in construction value, up from approximately $1.39 billion in 2024. Officials noted that much of the increase was tied to repairs and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Milton and Helene.

Employment and labor force

Employment, which measures the number of people who have jobs, increased 12.1% over the last decade, with 10.9% of that growth occurring within the last five years.

The city's labor force, which measures everyone who either has a job or is actively looking for one, increased 10.6% over the last 10 years and 5.9% over the last five years.

St. Petersburg's unemployment rate stood at 3.6% in 2025, below the national average of 4.3%.

Median household income increased 18.5% over the last five years and 58.6% over the last decade.

The city's major employers include ARK Invest, Dynasty Financial Partners, FIS Management Services, HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital, Jabil, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, Power Design, Raymond James, and Webull.

City officials also noted continued growth in taxable property values. Citywide taxable value increased from approximately $15 billion in 2015 to more than $36 billion in 2025.

Within the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area, taxable values increased from $1.1 billion in 2020 to $2.5 billion in 2025.

Office and retail markets

Retail vacancy increased from 4.4% in 2024 to 6% in 2025 while rental rates remained relatively stable, increasing by 28 cents per square foot.

Officials pointed to the opening of Sprouts Farmers Market in the Skyway Marina District as one of the year's major retail additions.

The citywide office vacancy rate increased from 7.7% in 2024 to 9.1% in 2025. During the same period, average rents increased by $3.20 per square foot to $31.25.

New office inventory included medical office space associated with Orlando Health Institute Square.

Downtown St. Pete continued to post some of the strongest office market numbers in the region, with vacancy remaining unchanged at 4.9%.

The Gateway office submarket saw vacancy increase from 11% to 13.8%, while asking rents remained relatively stable.

Officials also noted the arrival of Rectangle Health, a New York-based healthcare payments and technology company that recently opened a 12,500-square-foot office in the Carillon area.

Housing and development

Downtown St. Pete now contains more than 11,800 residential units, with 2,391 additional units either under construction or in the development pipeline.

Projects in the pipeline include the Waldorf Astoria Residences and Roche Bobois St. Pete Tower.

Recently completed projects include Art House, 400 Central, and Clearview at Echelon City Center.

The city also reported that 457 affordable and workforce housing units have come online since 2022. More than 60% of those units serve households earning 80% or less of the area median income.

Recovery and resilience

Officials also discussed ongoing storm recovery and infrastructure initiatives.

The Sunrise St. Pete recovery program currently has 2,289 active residential recovery cases in progress.

Additional programs scheduled to launch this summer include homebuyer assistance, voluntary buyouts and acquisitions, nonprofit community support services and public infrastructure mitigation efforts.

The presentation also covered the city's St. Pete Agile Resilience (SPAR) initiative, a long-term infrastructure program expected to invest $2.7 billion in wastewater, water and stormwater projects over the next 24 years.

From construction activity and housing development to employment and income growth, the presentation offered a snapshot of a city that continues to evolve as it recovers from recent storms and prepares for future growth.

The full State of the Economy presentation is available on the City of St. Petersburg’s website.

A new boutique specializing in coastal-inspired apparel, accessories, and locally made goods has debuted in Gulfport.

Drift + Story opened a few weeks ago at 3129 Beach Boulevard offering a mix of women's apparel, sunglasses, hats, swimwear, candles, water bottles, children's beach accessories, jewelry, and other gift items.

Owner Haley Santamaria, originally from California, moved to Florida about two years ago to be closer to family. Earlier this year, she left her corporate job to open the boutique.

The space was previously occupied by Paw Paw's pet supply store, which closed in late 2024 following back-to-back hurricanes.

"Over the course of the past year, we've been able to see everything in Gulfport kind of bounce back, with new businesses opening as well. It's been really cool to experience," Santamaria said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. "When we saw the opportunity to open a boutique in this area, we knew we wanted to contribute to that growth and bring in a new retail option."

The store carries Santamaria's hand-poured candle line, Amber Mae Collections, as well as products from local artisans and makers.

Several shelves near the front of the store are dedicated to Tampa Bay-based vendors selling jewelry, artwork, handmade goods, and other specialty items.

Santamaria said inventory will continue to evolve with the seasons, with plans to introduce additional children's products and accessories for men.

"As a consistent boutique shopper myself, I love going into places that have a little bit of everything," Santamaria said. "We wanted to make sure we're versatile here, and that there's something for everyone."

Santamaria is also working to launch online shopping through the boutique's website, allowing customers to browse and purchase products remotely.

Looking ahead, she plans to host candle-pouring, painting, jewelry-making, and other creative workshops in the back of the store.

Drift + Story is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The boutique is closed on Mondays.

After 32 years serving customers along the Deuces corridor, Lorene's Fish House has closed, with local restaurateur Melissa "Melly" Gardner preparing to reopen the space later this month as a new concept called Love22.

Located at 927 22nd Street South, Lorene's Fish House quietly served its last customers on Saturday, May 30th.

Just days later, Gardner received the keys to the building.

Owner of the Three Generations food truck and Coasis restaurant in Tampa, the St. Pete-based chef and restaurateur is transforming the former Lorene's space into a new concept that will debut in phases over the coming months.

“I am extremely grateful to be entrusted with such a great legacy. Thank You Ms. Lorene for servicing our community for the last 30 years,” Gardner wrote on social media earlier this week. “Welcome Love22 to The Deuces, a new era of food fun and vibes.”

Gardner tells St. Pete Rising that Lorene's Fish House closed because its owner, Lorene Office, now in her mid-70s, has retired.

Office opened the restaurant on 22nd Street South in 1994 and became known for serving boiled peanuts, fried fish, chicken wings, mac and cheese, and pork chops.

The neighborhood staple grew into one of the longest-running restaurants in south St. Pete.

Last year, Lorene's received the national "Backing Historic Small Restaurants" grant from American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, recognizing its longstanding contribution to the neighborhood's history and identity.

While Gardner says she feels a responsibility to honor Lorene's legacy, she's also eager to introduce something new to the corridor.

Love22 will initially open as a daytime counter-service restaurant offering sandwiches, salads, wraps, breakfast items, fresh juices, and a handful of fried seafood dishes as a nod to Lorene's legacy.

The business is scheduled to begin takeout service on June 12th. It will operate Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. until 4 or 5 p.m.

The menu contains a chicken Caesar wrap, steak sandwich, fresh juices, and breakfast favorites.

Gardner describes the offerings as a middle ground between healthier grab-and-go items and more indulgent comfort food.

Once the daytime concept is open, Gardner plans to introduce a weekend soul food menu.

Her food truck, Three Generations, has built a following for Southern-inspired brunch dishes such as Cajun-seasoned fish over cheesy grits and fried chicken with red velvet waffles.

The daytime restaurant represents only the first phase of Gardner's vision for the property.

Over the next several months, she plans to renovate the remainder of the building and open a full-service restaurant, multiple bars, an upstairs lounge space, and a large outdoor patio with its own bar.

In total, Love22 is expected to accommodate around 250 patrons, with separate entrances for the daytime counter-service eatery and the full-service restaurant.

The full-service concept will feature globally inspired small plates with a strong emphasis on seafood and Caribbean flavors.

Although many residents are sad to see Lorene's close, Gardner says she's been overwhelmed by the support she's received from friends, family, and members of the south St. Pete community.

“The Deuces has always been built on entrepreneurs, dreamers, and community builders who believe in creating spaces where culture, connection, food, and fellowship thrive,” The Deuces district wrote on Facebook while welcoming the new business to the corridor.

For Gardner, opening Love22 in south St. Pete feels like a full-circle moment.

She credits The Brayboys, owners of the now-closed Chief's Creole Cafe, as mentors who helped shape her vision for the corridor.

“They're great mentors of mine, and they're almost like family,” Gardner said. “Once I listened to their vision of what they imagined this corridor to be, I figured I could be the one to help bring that vision to life. I'll provide great music and great food for everyone here.”

Vinyl is back. Flip phones are trending again. And film photography is having a moment too.

This fall, St. Pete photographers will have a new place to develop film, rent cameras, learn darkroom techniques, and connect with fellow creatives.

Lakeland Film Lab is headed to 2821 Central Avenue, taking over a 1,300-square-foot storefront in the Grand Central District between Cheeky's Fish & Raw Bar and the recently announced Nightwatch wine bar.

The St. Pete location will be the company's second. Husband-and-wife duo Nick and Elizabeth Buttrey launched the first Lakeland Film Lab in downtown Lakeland last year.

Since opening, the Lakeland store has taken off. They've even developed film for a few big musicians, including Coi Leray, SZA, and Snoop Dogg.

The St. Pete shop, expected to debut in November, will offer many of the same services as its Lakeland counterpart, such as film processing, scanning, film sales, classes, and community events, while adding several new features, including camera rentals, a community darkroom, and a custom photo booth designed specifically for St. Pete.

There will also be a coffee counter featuring rotating local pop-ups, with coffee, matcha, and boba vendors taking over the space for three to four months at a time.

According to Nick, a St. Pete location has been in the works for some time.

"We've always been told we should open in St. Pete," he said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. "A lot of our customers already come from the area, and the creative community here feels like a natural fit for what we're building."

Since opening their first location, Lakeland Film Lab has become far more than a place to drop off rolls of film.

The shop regularly hosts workshops, meetups, and community events, helping build a community around analog photography at a time when interest in film continues to grow among younger generations.

While the business itself is relatively new, photography has been part of Nick's life for much longer.

Nick's interest in photography began in high school after following his older sister into a photography class. What started as an elective quickly became a passion.

"From that point on, I was hooked on photography," he said. "If I had a camera in my hands, I was taking pictures."

Nick, who grew up in Chicago, met Elizabeth, a Kissimmee native, in 2013 while serving in the Army. Five months later, he proposed during a battalion ball.

The couple will celebrate 12 years of marriage next month.

Photography remained a constant throughout Nick’s military service and later career in law enforcement.

Even while working as a police officer in Lakeland, he continued shooting film and developing negatives at home, often converting the family's bathroom into a makeshift darkroom.

"He would have to shut the bathroom down," Elizabeth laughed. "I wasn’t allowed to use it because he was hanging negatives up in it."

After deciding it was time for a career change, Nick received an unexpected Father's Day gift from Elizabeth: a stack of presents and paperwork for a newly formed LLC.

"I was trying to motivate him to lean into it more," she said. "He has a great skill and I believed in him."

The couple initially intended to run Lakeland Film Lab from their home as a mail-in film processing service.

But after launching their social media accounts and receiving an overwhelming response from photographers, they realized they needed something larger.

Eventually, they stumbled across a vacant storefront on a rainy night in downtown Lakeland. They contacted the landlord, shared their vision, and secured the space shortly thereafter.

A little more than a year later, Lakeland Film Lab has grown into one of Florida's most recognizable film photography businesses, attracting customers from across the state and fostering a community centered around analog photography.

Now, with a second location on the horizon, the Buttreys hope to build that same sense of community here in St. Pete.

A Tampa-based fast-casual salad concept is planning a new location in Pinellas Park.

Greenlane has filed plans with the Southwest Florida Water Management District to redevelop the former Checkers property at 6401 Park Boulevard, demolishing the existing building and constructing a new 964-square-foot drive-through restaurant. The Checkers location closed in late 2024.

Greenlane specializes in scratch-made salads and wraps, including customizable options and signature menu items such as the Ginger Sesame Crunch and Golden Greek.

The chain specializes in affordable, scratch-made salads and wraps.

The brand is built on a mission to deliver nutritious alternatives to traditional fast food for less than $10, completely avoiding seed oils, fake ingredients, or pre-packaged dressings.

All Greenlane salads are priced between $6.99 and $8.99.

Customers can choose from a variety of signature salads or create their own.

Among the restaurant's signature offerings is the Ginger Sesame Crunch, which contains a bed of romaine lettuce topped with shredded rainbow carrots, oranges, red cabbage, honey cashews, cilantro, and sesame ginger dressing.

Another popular option, the Golden Greek, which has grape tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, kalamata olives, red onion, pepperoncini, red wine vinaigrette, on a bed of romaine lettuce

Greenlane was founded by Christopher Burch, founder and CEO of Burch Creative Capital, and is backed by NFL legend Rob Gronkowski.

The concept debuted in 2023 at 4495 West Gandy Boulevard in Tampa before expanding to additional locations throughout the Tampa Bay area. In 2024, Greenlane opened its first St. Petersburg location at 8001 4th Street North.

The company currently operates five locations across Florida.

For the Pinellas Park location, Greenlane is working with Georgia-based architect Frey-Moss Structures, Boca Raton-based landscape architect Evergreen Design Group, and Delray Beach-based engineering firm Dynamic Engineering Consultants.

A construction timeline was not disclosed in the submitted application.