A new sports bar and neighborhood pub quietly opened its doors in south St. Pete last week. 

Jackson’s, a new 3,840 square-feet restaurant, recently made its debut at 1700 34th Street South, just south of Gibbs High School and across from the newly opened Yo-Mama Fried Chicken.

It’s the newest eatery from local restaurateur Dan Soronen, who has owned and operated restaurants in St. Pete since 2005.

He says that Jackson’s offers affordable, quality food in a casual environment. 

“I live in South St. Petersburg, and there’s always talk about the area being a food desert for shopping centers and grocery stores. But on top of that, we really don't really have a lot of quality restaurants in the area,” Soronen tells St. Pete Rising. “So we wanted to open a chef-driven sports bar for everyone that lives here.” 

With a full-liquor bar and a sizable dining room that seats over 100 people, he hopes Jackson’s will fill the need for a locally owned, family-friendly sports bar in the area, noting that new residents in the booming Skyway Marina District need a go-to neighborhood spot. 

The restaurant’s name pays homage to his fiance’s family, and its culinary program is inspired by her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

With Chef Sean Ford, formerly of Little Philly and Tryst, helming the kitchen, Jackson’s serves a mix of Creole-inspired flatbreads, sandwiches, shareable starters, and entrées.

A few of its dishes include popcorn crawfish served with Creole mustard, boudin sausage, baked oysters, chicken and andouille gumbo, jumbo lump crab cakes, and blackened shrimp po’boys.

For larger-format entrees, Jackson’s offers three types of jambalaya, blackened shrimp, scallops or chicken over dirty rice, jalapeno-honey baked salmon, and braised bourbon short ribs.

Two types of pasta, a jambalaya-inspired fettuccine and blackened chicken and shrimp alfredo, are also on the menu. 

Its bar offers an array of beer, wine, and craft cocktails, like the saffron spritz made with L'Excuse Herbal Liqueur, elderflower, and prosecco, in addition to old school New Orleans cocktails like the Vieux Carré and Sazerac. 

Soronen describes the restaurant as having soft lighting with warm, wood accents and a comfortable, lounge-like atmosphere. There are 16 televisions throughout the space that will play professional sports games year-round. 

“Jackson’s is your quintessential neighborhood hangout. It’s for the foodies and everyone else who likes a quality meal and great drinks,” he says.  “We’re also trying to keep it as affordable as possible. I want our customers to be locals; I don't necessarily see it as a tourist destination.” 

While Jackson’s is his latest hospitality venture, Soronen has been associated with several other restaurants in St. Pete over the years, including the Old Northeast Tavern, Shackleton’s Folly, Brewburgers Taphouse, Old Key West Grill, and the Catalyst on the Deuces, which closed earlier this year and was replaced by Jay Que’s. 

Other partners associated with Jackson’s are local restaurateurs Bill Christie and Adam Schwerin, who operate Grumpy Gringo and Dockside Dave’s on Madeira Beach. 

During its soft opening, Jackson’s will open from 4pm to 10pm daily, with hopes to introduce brunch service in time for Mother’s Day on May 10th.

Head to Jackson’s Facebook page to stay up to date on the latest offerings.

St. Petersburg Distillery is expanding into the evening hours with a new speakeasy inside its Warehouse Arts District campus.

Tucked inside the distillery’s industrial warehouse at 800 31st Street South, a secluded second-floor space has been reworked into an intimate, 45-seat speakeasy that opens today at 6 p.m.

“This is when people want to come together and socialize, from six o’clock to midnight,” CEO Evan Brownstein said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

The space, called 31 South, sits above the distillery’s production floor, where guests typically end their tours.

What was once a simple tasting area has been redesigned into a swanky lounge with dim mood lighting, vintage furnishings, a mix of gold and green accents, and jazz music playing overhead.

“The tours are all about educating our guests. We want this space to be where they can socialize and relax,” Brownstein said. “It’ll be a hidden gem within a hidden gem.”

The redesign was led by marketing coordinator Meridian Joy-Piper and VP of Operations Kiley Judge, who sourced much of the furniture and decor locally and incorporated historic photos throughout the space.

The cocktail menu combines both classic and more contemporary flavors built around the distillery’s house-made spirits.

The menu offers nine cocktails, such as a matcha latte martini, an elderflower lemon drop, and a coconut daiquiri.

Tippler’s Espresso Martini combines Banyan Reserve vodka with locally roasted coffee, house-made spiced vanilla syrup, and a Tippler’s orange cold foam, finished with cocoa and a dark chocolate truffle.

The Maple Old Fashioned takes a more traditional route, using Old St. Pete Sunshine Whiskey with real maple syrup and house-made bitters.

Guests can also opt for four- or six-flight tastings of the distillery’s whiskey, vodka, gin, and rum.

As for food, the distillery is working with chef Johnathan Rodriguez, formerly of Tampa’s Sal Y Mar, to develop a menu of small plates to complement the cocktail program.

The speakeasy will operate Thursday through Saturday evenings, while daytime tours and tastings will continue as usual.

Beyond the speakeasy, the distillery is continuing to reimagine its 28-acre campus.

Plans are underway to reorganize production and canning line operations to make room for a 350-person event space, set to host both private and public events when it opens later this year.

The broader vision is to create a neighborhood where artists, makers, and entrepreneurs can gather, with regular programming like the monthly Makers + Shakers Market helping activate the site.

The distillery is also preparing to roll out several new products this year, including an expansion of its Tippler’s line due to the success of its Tippler's Orange Liqueur, a 52-proof craft liqueur that uses real Florida Temple oranges.

The new Tippler’s flavors will include strawberry, grapefruit, and passionfruit.

The company is also developing two new whiskey lines, including a higher-end Muralist Series featuring limited releases in partnership with local artists.

Be sure to follow St. Petersburg Distillery on Facebook and Instagram for updates on new offerings, events, and more.

Two Daughters Bagels, a locally-owned and operated breakfast spot, is bringing New York bagels to Largo. 

Owner Justin Miller plans to open his new bagel shop this summer at 10593 Ulmerton Road, across the street from the Largo Mall.

The space was formerly home to Miracle Mobility, a retailer specializing in electric wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

He signed the lease last August and has been tirelessly renovating the shop ever since.

“This is a life-long dream of mine. I’ve always wanted to open a legitimate New York bagel shop—not just ‘New York-style,’” Miller tells St. Pete Rising. “I wasn’t satisfied with any of the other bagels in the area, and was determined I could do it better. And so I learned how by reverse engineering the process.” 

Originally from Pennsylvania, Miller grew up with a love of bagels and has lived in Pinellas County for nearly twenty years.

While he has technically never worked as a pastry chef or baker, he’s spent the past two and a half years refining all of his bagel recipes.

He says that the ideal New York bagel weighs over six ounces with a crisp, slightly blistered outside, and a soft, chewy inside. 

Two Daughters’ New York-style bagels will be made with high-gluten flour and filtered water, cold fermented for 36 hours, boiled, and then baked at a high heat—a traditional process that dates back to the late 1800s. 

In order to perfect his bagel recipe, Miller even installed a custom water filtration system to simulate the mineral levels and alkalinity of New York City water. 

There will be at least 15 types of bagels offered at Two Daughters, from familiar options like plain, everything, sesame, egg, and poppy seed to more unique flavors like asiago, cinnamon raisin, blueberry, honey wheat, jalapeño cheddar, and pumpernickel. 

The shop will also feature a rotating menu of specialty flavors, like rainbow-colored birthday cake or a “black matcha” bagel, made with ceremonial grade matcha and black sesame. 

There will be over a dozen flavors of cream cheese for customers to choose from, including scallion, vegetable, garlic and herb, cinnamon sugar, blueberry, strawberry, birthday cake, jalapeño, bacon and chive, honey, walnut, guava, olive, dill pickle, and a dairy-free coconut-based option. 

Coffee will also be served using beans from Tampa-based roaster Buddy Brew Coffee, with espresso drinks, cold brew, and drip coffee on the menu. Matcha and a variety of teas will be available as well.

A selection of house-made, oversized baked goods like cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins, and black and white cookies (another New York City delicacy), will also be for sale. 

Down the line, Two Daughters is expected to sell breakfast sandwiches and other hot items after a full kitchen is eventually built out.  

“Everything we sell is made by hand every day,” says Miller. “We don't use any machines or use any shortcuts. But more than that, I want this to be a genuine part of the community.” 

Miller plans to donate excess product to local shelters and food banks, in addition to sponsoring youth sports teams and fundraisers. 

After its debut, the Largo shop will be open from 5:30 am to 2:30 pm every day. 

The opening of Two Daughters comes at a time when New York-style bagels are booming in the area. 

There’s been a recent influx of New York-style bagel companies like H&H Bagels, Pop-Up Bagels, and Jeff’s Bagel Run opening locations throughout Tampa, in addition to the local expansion of Pete’s Bagels.

“Tampa is definitely having a bagel revival. But Pinellas County is virtually untouched by the bagel trend, and that's where I'm really looking to make my mark,” Miller explains.  

By naming the business after his children, he hopes to leave a legacy behind for his young daughters. 

“This is all really for my kids,” Miller says. “I want them to see me chasing a dream and realize that you can actually decide what you want your life to look like.”

Follow Two Daughters Bagels on Facebook for the latest updates on its summertime opening, menu offerings, and more. 

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.

Follow us each month as we explore how these projects shaped St. Pete into the city we know and love today.

This month, we look back at the legacy of M.B. Welch, a lesser-known builder who constructed more than 300 homes and several apartment buildings during St. Petersburg’s 1920s boom, many of which still stand today.

In 1925, the St. Petersburg Times described him as “one of the most prominent apartment house builders of St. Petersburg, as well as one of the most popular contractors of this community.”

M. B. Welch never commanded the headlines of developers like C. Perry Snell or the Walter Fuller father-and-son team, yet much of what Welch built during the 1920s boom still stands.

In today’s era when the Mediterranean Revival style that once defined St. Petersburg is steadily disappearing, his work remains a testament to his craftsmanship.

When Welch arrived from Indiana in 1923, St. Petersburg was already caught up in the craziness of the Florida land boom.

The son of a carpenter, Welch was drawn by the same promise that lured thousands during the Jazz Age: sunshine, opportunity, and prosperity.

Without fanfare, he set off to build St. Pete. He found success quickly.

Welch first went to work for a local contractor, learning how to build a house with proper ventilation for the humid Florida climate, prior to the advent of the home air conditioner.

He then formed M.B. Welch, Inc. and created one of the largest construction firms in the area, employing 400 workers at its peak.

Welch built more than 300 residences across St. Petersburg. His work can still be found in neighborhoods such as Snell Isle, Grenada Terrace, Old Northeast, Lakewood Estates, Woodlawn, Crescent Lake, and Pass-a-Grille.

He favored hollow tile block construction with stucco finishes, often sourced from the Ford Concrete Foundries, materials that became synonymous with the Mediterranean Revival style.

One of his most recognizable contributions is “Mediterranean Row” along 19th Avenue Northeast.

Just east of 1st Street North, ten single-family homes offer a remarkably intact glimpse into life in 1925 St. Petersburg.

In 2018, the block was designated a local historic district.

However, Welch’s building talents extended well beyond single-family homes. His multi-family buildings, particularly in the Old Northeast, continue to provide residents a connection to 1920s St. Pete and a place to call home.

The San Rafel Hotel (now San Rafael Apartments) at 13th Avenue Northeast and Locust Street was among the city’s earliest cooperative living concepts.

Built in 1925, it combined the conveniences of a modern hotel with the privacy of a home.

The Mediterranean Revival structure featured soundproof apartments, street-level retail, and direct access to the North Shore/Coffee Pot trolley line and a quick hop to downtown.

Units ranged from $3,000 to $8,000 for a penthouse.

Nearby, at 1206 Oak Street Northeast, Welch constructed the Ray-Johnson Apartments (now El Mirasol) in 1926. This 16-unit building cost $45,000 to complete.

In 1927, Welch built the Inezda Apartments on Beach Drive and 12th Avenue Northeast, offering sweeping views of Tampa Bay.

Outfitted with modern conveniences such as gas stoves and electric heat, total seasonal rent, January to April, ranged from $450 to $1,000.

Not all of Welch’s work catered to seasonal residents though.

That same year, he built the Parks Apartments at 1151 34th Avenue North for year-round living.

Designed to combat Florida’s heat, each unit featured enclosed front and rear porches, along with windows in every room to maximize airflow and ventilation. Rents began at $50 per month.

Welch also contributed to the city’s recreational life.

He constructed the St. Petersburg Roque Club building at Mirror Lake, built and donated the city’s first outdoor basketball court, and sponsored a baseball team, the  “Welchmen”, which won St. Petersburg’s first City Baseball League championship.

Like so many developers, Welch’s success was halted by the collapse of the Florida land boom in 1928, followed by the onset of the Great Depression.

Forced to seek work elsewhere, he traveled to Alabama and back to Indiana to support his family.

He returned to St. Petersburg briefly in 1939, but in 1944 relocated to Tennessee, where he built housing for military personnel and workers involved in the atomic bomb project.

Welch came back once again in 1957. In his later years, he built homes in the Gateway Mall area and oversaw construction of the Derby Club at Derby Lane.

He retired at 83 and passed away in 1989 at the age of 94.

Today, though his name is less widely known, M.B. Welch’s legacy is written across the city – one structure at a time.

Local coffee company Sun Bear Specialty Coffee Roasters is preparing to move into its first standalone café and production space in the Grand Central District.

For the past two years, Sun Bear has operated out of Sans Market, a zero-waste store at 1037 Central Avenue in the EDGE District.

That setup helped owner Kenny Beers build a loyal following, but space constraints have limited what he could offer.

This summer, Sun Bear will relocate to a larger, permanent storefront and roasting facility at 1942 1st Avenue South, next to Pinellas Ale Works.

The 2,650-square-foot building was previously home to Adieu-glu, a gluten-free bakery.

“The building is close to where we're at now, which is incredible, because we love our community and Sans Market,” owner Kenny Beers said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “It feels like one big family, and I hate leaving there, but we knew at some point in time, we would need our own space.”

Sun Bear plans to continue operating inside Sans Market through May 31st, with the new location expected to open in June.

The new shop will include seating for 20 to 30 guests indoors, along with an outdoor patio behind the building.

Beers plans to incorporate a mid-century modern aesthetic with personal touches, including design elements inspired by Beers’ time living in Cambodia, where he worked with at-risk children and youth.

The space will also feature a vinyl record setup and a stronger focus on music, an influence drawn from the team’s background as musicians.

Beers wants the shop to feel like a place where people can spend time and connect.

Sun Bear will remain rooted in third-wave coffee, focusing on high-quality, sustainably sourced beans and a more intentional brewing approach.

The menu will continue to feature pour overs, cold brew, espresso-based drinks, and matcha lattes.

“We have a very locked-in clientele,” Beers said. “They’re coming for the beans. They want to know what each one tastes like, and then they move on to the next.”

The expanded space also opens the door to new offerings.

With a full kitchen already in place, Beers plans to gradually introduce food items like sandwiches and light breakfast options, while also adding grab-and-go food and drinks.

Beers’ dream of having his own space was made possible after launching a 30-day public fundraising campaign on SMBX earlier this year.

SMBX is a public exchange primarily used for small businesses to raise capital through investors purchasing shares of Small Business Bonds. Other local businesses, such as Pete’s Bagels, have utilized the same model.

“Our goal was to reach over $100,000, and while we didn’t meet our goal, but we raised quite a bit of money. It was a nationwide raise, and many locals participated, which was cool,” Beers said.

With the funds raised, Beers was able to secure the new space and purchase a new grinder and espresso machine.

Even after the move, Beers is exploring ways to continue collaborating with Sans Market and may still offer some products there.

Sun Bear will also continue operating its stand at the Saturday Morning Market, which remains one of its most consistent revenue drivers.

Be sure to visit Sun Bear on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on a grand opening date and the latest offerings.

Heavy rainfall and storm surge have exposed serious vulnerabilities in St. Pete's aging infrastructure over the years, and the city is now asking whether a $600 million bond is the right tool to fix it faster.

Last Thursday, the City's Budget, Finance, and Taxation Committee discussed placing a General Obligation (GO) bond referendum on the November 2026 ballot.

The proceeds would fund a portion of projects under the St. Pete Agile Resilience (SPAR) program, a city-led initiative to accelerate flood protection, stormwater improvements, and utility system hardening before the next major storm arrives.

The $2.7 billion SPAR program, which will be set up regardless of a potential November referendum, will be funded through utility fees.

Without the bond, that work gets spread over 24 years through fiscal year 2050 as utility revenue accumulates.

What the proposed $600 million GO bond would do is front-load roughly five years of construction, compressing the timeline to 19 years by injecting bond proceeds into the early years of the program, roughly 2027 through 2031, while utility rate funding continues alongside it.

The bond doesn't replace utility funding. It stacks on top of it, allowing the city to build faster than utility revenue alone would permit.

If the GO bond is approved, it would allow the city to fund an additional $120 million in infrastructure upgrades per year, in addition to the expected SPAR infrastructure spend of approximately $110 million per year.

The estimated cost to property owners would be around 0.96 mills, or $96 annually per $100,000 of taxable value, which the city says is cheaper than the $486 annual utility rate increase that would otherwise be needed to match the same pace of construction.

Over the past decade, St. Pete has invested roughly $1.15 billion in infrastructure upgrades across the city.

The bulk of that went to the three systems at the heart of the SPAR program: sewer utilities received approximately $510 million, water utilities around $161 million, and stormwater utilities another $17 million.

Despite that level of investment, the city says it still isn't enough, and that the damage and operational failures exposed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton made that clear.

SPAR projects are a subset of the city's broader Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which covers $4.4 billion in stormwater, water, and wastewater work through 2050.

The difference between a SPAR project and a non-SPAR project comes down to what a project actually accomplishes.

Replacing a piece of aging infrastructure is routine capital work. SPAR projects go further, rebuilding or hardening that same infrastructure so it can withstand future storms rather than just extending its useful life.

A lift station outside a flood zone gets replaced at ground level as routine maintenance. The same replacement inside a flood zone gets elevated above it, and that's within the scope of SPAR.

Currently, all of it gets paid for through utility fees.

The problem is that the cost burden falls unevenly under that model. A landlord who owns a commercial building connected to city water and sewer pays utility fees and therefore contributes to infrastructure funding. But a property owner whose land sits vacant, may pay no utility fees at all, yet still benefits from the broader resilience of the city's stormwater and flood protection systems.

The GO bond would make everyone with taxable property contribute, regardless of whether they're a utility customer.

"While pay-as-you-go [using utility fees] avoids interest payments, it does carry a high risk of inflation, construction delays, and in many cases higher total costs due to rising material and labor prices," Public Works Administrator Claude Tankersley told the committee. "Construction delays also carry the risk of flooding events occurring before those resilience upgrades can be constructed."

Representative projects span all three major utility systems.

On the stormwater side, the Shore Acres Flood Gate System and Clam Bayou Tidal Protection Gate would protect low-lying coastal neighborhoods from tidal backflow, the kind of sunny-day flooding that doesn't require a named storm.

Drainage improvements are proposed for Bear Creek, Edgemoor, Emerald Lake, and Jorgensen Lake.

Water infrastructure projects focus on replacing aging transmission mains and hardening supply pump stations with generator backup, the type of work that could have prevented the prolonged boil water notice that followed Hurricane Milton.

Wastewater projects include wet weather storage tanks and new operations buildings engineered to withstand Category 5 winds and a 15-foot storm surge, allowing plant staff to keep systems running during extreme weather rather than shutting down.

The project list is described as representative rather than binding, and priorities could shift as community needs and project feasibility evolve.

Not all committee members were sold on placing a General Obligation (GO) bond referendum on the November ballot.

Councilmember Brandi Gabbard, whose District 2 sits 95% within the coastal high hazard area, raised concerns about how unevenly the representative projects are distributed. District 4 wouldn't see a single project within its boundaries, while other districts range from 8% to 23% of the total.

"That is not a clear spread across the city and prioritizing the areas of greatest need," Councilwoman Gabbard said.

The city’s engineering team responded that the listed projects represent the most critical current needs and that the impact of any single project typically extends beyond its immediate location.

Councilmembers Gina Driscoll and Mike Harting echoed concerns about economic timing, noting that many residents are already stretched thin and an additional property tax line item is a hard sell.

Harting also raised a harder philosophical question, pointing to the millions spent hardening the Northeast Sewer Treatment Plant after crews had to shut it down for 12 hours ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall.

"Those millions of dollars could have gone to projects that we can't fund now because of that," Councilman Harting said. "How do we go through that process of how resilient is too resilient? That's a tough question."

The engineering team acknowledged the concerns and will work to address them before the GO bond item goes to the Public Services and Infrastructure Committee on May 14th.

If that process moves forward on schedule, St. Pete voters could see the question on their ballots this November, a straight up-or-down vote on whether to accelerate the city's resilience buildout, and who pays for it.

An unsolicited proposal submitted to the City of St. Pete could bring a small cluster of permanently affordable homes to a vacant site in south St. Pete.

Bright Community Trust is requesting the donation of four city-owned parcels at 2013 18th Avenue South, where it plans to develop five cottage-style homes targeted to income-restricted buyers.

Each home would include two bedrooms, one bathroom, and roughly 900 square feet of living space.

Plans also call for a shared green space, nine parking spaces, and individual lot configurations that would allow each home to function as its own property.

The city’s willingness to consider the unsolicited proposal has triggered a formal Notice of Intent to Dispose of City-Owned Real Estate, which was published to the city’s website last week.

That notice opens the door for other developers or nonprofits to submit competing proposals for the property.

Interested parties have until Friday, May 22nd at 12 p.m. to submit an alternative proposal for the lease, purchase, or development of the site.

Following the deadline, the mayor is expected to recommend a proposal to City Council for final approval.

If the city accepts Bright Community Trust’s offer, the project would follow a model the organization has used in partnership with the city for years: placing the land into a community land trust while selling only the homes themselves.

Under that structure, the land remains owned by the trust and is leased to homeowners through a 99-year renewable ground lease.

This approach helps keep prices lower upfront and ensures long-term affordability, even as homes change hands over time.

In this case, buyers would be required to meet income limits set at 80% of the Area Median Income, as defined annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For a two-person household, that limit is currently set at $66,800.

Resale restrictions built into the ground lease would keep future buyers within similar income ranges, which would help preserve affordability for decades.

Community land trusts, developed in the late 1960s, started to regain popularity after the 2008 housing crash cities looked for ways to create homeownership opportunities without losing affordability over time.

By separating land ownership from the home itself, the model avoids the typical market pressures that can quickly push prices out of reach in growing neighborhoods.

Bright Community Trust has delivered hundreds of homes through its land trust model, including several in St. Pete.

Late last year, the organization submitted an unsolicited proposal to the City of St. Pete to develop two single-family homes at 974 23rd Avenue South and 835 Queensboro Avenue South. The city ultimately accepted that proposal, and those homes are expected to be delivered by the end of this year.

The nonprofit typically builds homes at a cost of around $250,000, helping keep purchase prices within reach for qualified buyers.

Bright Community Trust’s proposal comes at a time when 18th Avenue South is seeing steady wave of new development.

The long-awaited redevelopment of the city-owned Tangerine Plaza remains in progress. The selected development team is working toward a plan that includes 186 affordable housing units and the return of a fresh food option to the site for the first time since 2017.

Directly across from Tangerine Plaza, Habitat for Humanity is currently building Pelican Place, a 40-unit townhome community at 2100 18th Avenue South.

Just down the street, Habitat recently completed The Grove, an 11-unit townhome development at 1805 18th Avenue South.

New neighborhood businesses are beginning to pop up along the corridor, including a new coffee shop, The Morning Pour, which opened in January at 1701 18th Avenue South.

Meanwhile, further east, the City of St. Petersburg is planning a $51 million redevelopment of the Enoch D. Davis Center and the James Weldon Johnson Community Library at 1111 18th Avenue South.

Construction is underway on a new boutique condo building overlooking Mirror Lake in downtown St. Pete.

St. Pete-based Backstreets Capital has officially broken ground on The Cade, a seven-story residential project planned for 749 Burlington Avenue North featuring just 15 luxury residences overlooking the historic lake.

The project has seen strong early sales demand, with 40% of residences already under contract since sales launched two months ago.

“The response to The Cade has validated what we set out to create,” said Will Conroy, President of Backstreets Capital. “With construction now underway and nearly half the residences already spoken for, it’s clear there is strong demand for a more refined, residential experience in our downtown.”

“The Cade is perfect for people who want the privacy, space, and character of a custom home, paired with an irreplaceable lakefront location,” Conroy added.

The building is designed with just two to three residences per floor, with an emphasis on privacy, larger floor plans, and direct views of Mirror Lake.

All homes will feature east-facing living spaces overlooking the lake and downtown skyline, with upper floors offering views of Tampa Bay.

Residences will range from three-bedroom units measuring just over 2,100 square feet to two full-floor penthouses exceeding 3,400 square feet.

Each unit includes a private balcony, an air-conditioned storage room within or adjacent to the unit, and a second dedicated storage space located in front of an assigned parking space inside the first-floor parking garage.

Parking spaces will be prewired for electric vehicle charging, with select spaces designed to accommodate optional car lifts.

Backstreets Capital

Backstreets Capital

Backstreets Capital

Backstreets Capital

Standard residences will feature Thermador appliance suites with 42-inch French door refrigerators, while the penthouses will include Sub-Zero 48-inch French door refrigerators and Wolf appliances.

All kitchens will include natural gas cooktops, paneled refrigerators and dishwashers, two full-height pantries, and large islands wrapped in matching cabinetry.

Primary bathrooms are designed with European-style cabinetry, freestanding soaking tubs, tiled showers with frameless enclosures, built-in benches, and private water closets.

Amenities are intentionally scaled to match the size of the building.

Plans include a second-floor amenity deck with a plunge pool, covered seating, and a gas fireplace, along with a fitness center and a resident lounge equipped with a catering kitchen, beverage station, and work areas.

Backstreets Capital

Backstreets Capital

Backstreets Capital

The project’s design draws from the neighboring historic Cade Allen House, located at 250 Mirror Lake.

The 1930s-era home, originally built by local developer and architect Cade Allen, is currently being restored by Backstreets Capital.

Materials salvaged from the structure, including original stone, are expected to be incorporated into The Cade’s lobby, tying the new building to the site’s architectural history.

PLACE Architecture is serving as the project’s design lead, marking its fourth collaboration with Backstreets Capital following The Salvador, The Nolen, and Clemmons Court.

Safety Harbor-based GSA Contractors is serving as the project’s general contractor.

Construction is being managed by Clearwater-based Valin Construction, with Kathy Hess and Albert Valin overseeing the project.

Stephanie Smart of s.p.a.c.e. is leading the interior design of The Cade.

Sales are being handled by The Wittner Wollman Group, with a dedicated sales gallery now open at 600 1st Avenue North.

Remaining residences are priced starting at approximately $1.9 million.

Backstreets Capital, the family office of the Conroy and Sher families, has been active across St. Petersburg and the broader Tampa Bay region since 2014, with a portfolio that includes a mix of residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments.

For more information on The Cade, visit the property’s website.

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is preparing to take a major step toward bringing ferry service back to Tampa Bay, with its board set to vote Wednesday on a plan to purchase two vessels and launch the new Tampa Bay Ferry later this year.

At a press event Monday morning at Tampa Convention Center, officials from PSTA, alongside leaders from Tampa and St. Petersburg and ferry operator Hubbard’s Marina, outlined how the service could operate with two boats running seven days a week.

Since selecting Madeira Beach-based Hubbard’s Marina as the new operator for the ferry service late last year, PSTA and Hubbard’s Marina have collaboratively spearheaded a nationwide search for potential vessels.

“We’re committed to creating this service the right way, so it’s sustainable for the long term,” said PSTA CEO Brad Miller.

The purchase and renovation of the two vessels will be funded by a $4.8 million federal grant originally awarded in 2021.

If approved, the total cost would not exceed the grant funding, and PSTA’s CEO would be authorized to move forward with negotiations and acquisition.

The plan builds on the former Cross Bay Ferry, which operated seasonally since 2016 with a single leased vessel. That setup limited service to select days and made year-round operations difficult.

With two boats, officials say the goal is to offer daily service, while initially focusing on weekend demand and gradually building commuter ridership.

PSTA and Hubbard’s Marina conducted a nationwide search for vessels, identifying three options.

The purchase of the 250-passenger Bay Breeze from San Francisco was approved by the board in December for up to $2.5 million.

A second preferred option is the San Juan Clipper, a 149-passenger vessel currently operating as a whale-watching boat in Seattle, with an estimated purchase and renovation cost of $2 million.

A third option, the Candy Stripe from Louisiana, would cost about $2.3 million but require a longer refurbishment timeline, making it a backup choice.

“We look around the country at places like San Francisco, Boston, and San Diego,” said owner of Hubbard’s Marina Mark Hubbard. “They all have very intricate waterborne transportation systems. Why doesn’t Tampa Bay?”

Hubbard, whose family has operated on the water in the region for generations, said the partnership with PSTA has helped clear long-standing barriers to expanding ferry service locally.

He and his daughter, Tara Hubbard, said their family has long advocated for more reliable and frequent water transit options throughout Tampa Bay.

The previous Cross Bay Ferry relied on a seasonally leased vessel brought in from out of state, while the new plan would, for the first time, establish a locally based, full-time fleet.

If the PSTA board approves the purchase, the process will still require inspections, negotiations, renovations, and transporting the vessels to Tampa Bay.

Officials said refurbishment timelines for the preferred vessels are estimated at three to six months, while the backup option could take more than a year.

Renovations may include updated interiors, mechanical work, and onboard amenities such as a bar serving snacks and alcoholic beverages.

Once completed, officials said they are targeting a launch by the end of the year.

In Tampa, the ferry would operate from the east end of the Tampa Convention Center near the Harbour Island bridge, a site previously used by the Cross Bay Ferry.

In St. Pete, the ferry will dock in the Vinoy Yacht Basin on the downtown waterfront.

Eventually, St. Pete plans to build a permanent ferry dock near the St. Petersburg Museum of History on the St. Pete Pier. Early engineering estimates place the cost between $2.64 million and just over $3 million.

PSTA is targeting a $10 one-way fare, which would be lower than the Cross Bay Ferry’s pricing in its final season, which cost $12 per one-way ride.

Officials said discounts are also planned for seniors and riders with disabilities.

“This changes everything,” said Tampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak, pointing to the shift to daily service and its potential for both visitors and residents.

At the Tampa Convention Center, officials also highlighted the potential impact on tourism and events.

“The Convention Center brings in over 300,000 attendees a year,” said David Ingram, executive director of the TCC. “This allows them to explore the entire Tampa Bay region.”

The operating schedule for the Tampa Bay Ferry service will be finalized at a later time.

While the vote this week focuses on vessel acquisition, officials described the ferry as an early step in a broader effort to expand regional transit options.

“The ferry service will most definitely strengthen the connection between the city of St. Petersburg, Tampa, and the broader Tampa Bay region,” said PSTA Board Chair and St. Petersburg City Council Member Deborah Figg-Sanders. “It will also make it so much easier for our constituents and our visitors to move around Tampa Bay.”

For now, the immediate focus is securing the boats, completing the docks, and preparing the service for launch.

A new shop specializing in handmade bath, body, and home products is preparing to open along Central Avenue.

Magnolia Soap and Bath Company will debut this Friday May 1st at 655 Central Avenue.

The 1,400-square-foot storefront takes over the former Three Dog Bakery space, which closed last month.

Inside, Magnolia offers a wide range of products made in house without preservatives.

The lineup includes soaps, sugar scrubs, body butters, bath bombs, shower oils, perfumes, and soy candles, along with one of its most popular items, a customizable laundry wash made from just a few ingredients.

Jennifer Shankle, a Palm Harbor resident originally from Maryland, is behind the new location.

After opening a Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. in Clearwater last year, she decided to relocate the concept to downtown St. Pete.

“Customers at our Clearwater location actually told us that the store would be a great fit for St. Pete,” Shankle said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “I think we’ll benefit from that Central Avenue, window shopping kind of vibe.”

The move makes the St. Pete shop the company’s only location in Pinellas County.

Magnolia operates about 50 stores across the Southeast, with additional Florida locations in Valrico and Ocala.

Shankle first discovered the brand in Alabama, where her daughter was attending college at the time, and quickly became a fan of its products and fun atmosphere

That visit led her to explore franchising opportunities and eventually open her own store.

“I’ve always been a lover and collector of soaps, and when I first started getting into Magnolia’s products, I just thought it was super fun and loved how brightly-colored everything was,” Shankle said. “I was really attracted to the scents and designs, and the fact that the ingredients are clean was a great bonus, too.”

Customers can personalize many of the products with Magnolia’s signature scents.

Among the most popular are Bliss, which is a mix of fruit, caramel, and vanilla notes, and Legacy, which blends fruit, florals, and amber.

“The store has a wall that will promote the ten most popular scents, so that’s a great place for customers to start,” said Magnolia employee and Marketing Manager Lauren Wilkins. “There’s really a wide range of scents, from citrusy and floral to beachy. A little bit of everything.”

The shop will also incorporate a refill program, offering discounts to customers who bring back containers to reuse.

In addition to retail, the space is set up to host birthday parties and group events, where guests can create their own soaps and bath bombs.

Once open, Magnolia will operate from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

For updates on the soft opening and upcoming promotions, follow the St. Pete location on Facebook.

A new racquet sport is landing in St. Pete, and it’s bringing a global following with it.

Padel, currently the fastest growing sport in the word, can now be played locally at St. Pete Athletic, located at 680 28th Street South in the Warehouse Arts District.

The addition is part of a nearly 20,000-square-foot expansion of the facility, which opened in December.

The 50,000-square-foot club now features 14 pickleball courts, six professional table tennis tables, and its newly added padel courts.

St. Pete Athletic also offers several on-site food and drink options through Rose’s Dining & Drinks, where both members and non-members can stop in for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, and cocktails.

Padel originated in Mexico in the 1960s and blends elements of tennis and squash. The sport is played on an enclosed court, slightly larger than a pickleball court, where players can use the surrounding walls as part of the game.

It has been popular in countries like Spain and Argentina since the 1980s and its presence in the United States has been steadily expanding in recent years.

To mark the debut of the new courts, St. Pete Athletic will host a grand opening celebration on Saturday, April 25th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will include a padel tournament, ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a professional exhibition match.

Guests can register for the tournament or RSVP through the St. Pete Athletic app.

“From the beginning, our vision has been about creating a place where people come together through sport, wellness, and community,” said owner Reuben Pressman in a press release. “Bringing padel to St. Pete is a natural extension of that vision. It’s a sport that’s inherently social, incredibly fun, and accessible to all levels.

“This expansion allows us to continue building something that feels bigger than just courts; it’s about community,” he added.

Be sure to visit St. Pete Athletic’s website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on the latest news.

The City of St. Petersburg is stepping in to lead the long-awaited redevelopment of the century-old, 640-slip municipal marina along the downtown waterfront just south of the St. Pete Pier.

The redevelopment is a large, multi-phased project focused on rebuilding aging infrastructure, improving operations, and opening up more of the waterfront to the public.

City staff are currently negotiating a contract for pre-construction services with a team led by Skanska and Cummins Cederberg.

The city has worked with both firms before, partnering with Skanska on the St. Pete Pier and with Cummins Cederberg on the Citywide Seawall Master Plan.

The team responded to a city-issued request for qualifications in late 2025, shortly after the city ended negotiations with Safe Harbor Marinas, which had previously been selected to take on the project.

Under the revised approach, the city will retain full ownership and control of the marina, rather than leasing it out.

Officials say the shift lets the city keep all the marina’s revenue while ensuring the project lines up with long-term goals like storm resilience and increased water quality.

“We had the opportunity to listen to feedback from the last agreements, council meetings, workshops, community groups, and take all that and put it into what our scope is right now,” St. Pete Engineering Director Brejesh Prayman said during Thursday’s Public Services and Infrastructure Committee meeting.

“Why is this more beneficial than a P3 [public-private partnership]? It’s a city-owned asset, and this removes the misconception that we are giving it away to a private entity,” he added.

In both the Central and South Basins, the city plans to replace existing docks and upgrade utilities.

The Central Basin will also see the removal of the west dock house, a full replacement of the north dock house, and expanded services at the south dock house.

In the South Basin, the existing dock house will be upgraded and expanded as well.

Waterfront and infrastructure improvements include replacing seawalls throughout both basins and rebuilding the Demens Landing Bridge, along with incorporating water quality features like living seawalls and hybrid coastal construction.

The project would also remove fencing and shift dock layouts to create better public access along the water.

Other major components include replacing the fuel station, which currently struggles during high tides, adding more amenities and access points for both boaters and non-boaters, and streamlining marina operations.

The plan also calls for demolishing Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro at 2nd Avenue NE and Bayshore Drive NE, with a new building planned in its place.

City officials say the existing structure must be removed to allow for seawall replacement beneath it.

It remains unclear whether Fresco’s will return after construction or if a new operator will take over.

“I have a lot of concern about this restaurant being displaced and having been in business for more than 20 years,” committee member Gina Driscoll said. “We need to make sure we are being respectful and honoring a longtime tenant and part of the waterfront experience.”

The total cost to redevelop the marina is now estimated at $165.45 million, up from an earlier $148 million construction budget.

A significant portion of the funding, about $84.83 million, will go toward utility upgrades and replacing docks and facilities in the south and central basins.

Another $54.22 million is earmarked for additional improvements, including the installation of living or hybrid seawalls designed to enhance coastal resilience.

The first phase, which includes site studies and seawall work, is expected to be funded by $65 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.

“What’s going to happen in 2032 when the TIF money is exhausted?” committee member Brandi Gabbard asked during the meeting.

In response, Prayman said the marina is expected to generate enough revenue to support the remaining $100 million debt tied to the project. The marina, which is typically fully occupied, will remain operational throughout construction.

The final agreement with Skanska and Cummins Cederberg is expected to go before City Council in June.

If approved, the project will move forward in multiple phases, each requiring separate approvals.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2028, with the completed project expected to open in 2031.

An Asian grocery store is coming to the Grand Central District.

Pin Family Mart is preparing to open at 2452 Central Avenue, just a few doors down from Pin on Grand, the Asian fusion restaurant owned by husband-and-wife duo Som and Roger Rattanachane at 2458 Central Avenue.

The market will take over the former Lightwave Quantum Wellness space and is targeting a July debut, pending product shipments from Asia.

It will carry items from Thailand, Japan, Korea, Laos, China, and Vietnam.

The concept is led by Som alongside her cousin, Natchaya “Phim” Kraiboot, and their parents, who are expected to move to St. Pete from Thailand to help operate the store.

“Our goal is to create a premium destination for authentic Asian products imported to the U.S., combined with some locally sourced items as well,” Som said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

Pin Family Mart builds on the success of Pin on Grand, which opened in 2024 after relocating from the EDGE District.

The new 1,400-square-foot space will offer Asian imports like curry pastes, teas, herbs, snacks, sodas, noodles, desserts, condiments, and seasonings.

The shop will also carry OTOP products, locally made goods from Thailand’s “One Tambon One Product” program, a government initiative that encourages each community (tambon = sub-district) to develop and sell its own signature item.

These products range from packaged foods and snacks to handmade crafts, and textiles, often reflecting the ingredients, materials, and traditions unique to each region.

“Each region in Thailand has its own specialties,” Som said. “For example, curry pastes vary depending on the region. In my hometown of Isan, we have our own version, and southern Thailand has a completely different blend.”

Additionally, the store will feature a small grab-and-go section with prepared dishes like noodles, salads, and warm meals made at Pin on Grand.

An online store is also in the works.

The concept is rooted in family history as Som’s parents previously owned a grocery store in Thailand.

For now, the focus is on introducing customers to products that may be unfamiliar to many in the area.

“We want to educate customers on the products we carry,” Som said. “We’ll highlight different items and help people understand what they are and how to use them.”

If all goes as planned, Pin Family Mart will open this summer, adding another locally-owned business to the growing Grand Central District.

Be sure to follow Pin Mart on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on the latest offerings.

A fast-growing candy trend that’s been flooding social media feeds is about to land in downtown St. Pete.

The Pirate Candy Shop is set to open its first Pinellas County location this June at 1614 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

The candy shop is taking over a roughly 850-square-foot storefront previously occupied by Tabatha Exquisite Touch Beauty Salon, which operated there for more than 15 years before relocating down the street to 1592 Central Avenue.

The concept comes from husband-and-wife team Adam and Sol Lillhannus, who operate The Pirate Candy Shop in Tampa’s Hyde Park Village.

“We actually ship a lot of candy to St. Pete specifically, so we know we have customers there,” Adam Lillhannus said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “We looked at Clearwater, Largo, and Dunedin, but ultimately decided St. Pete was the right fit.”

Swedish candy may feel like a recent phenomenon, but it has deep roots overseas.

In Sweden, the tradition of lördagsgodis, loosely translated to “Saturday candy”, has been part of everyday culture for decades, where families fill bags with a mix of sweets to enjoy at the end of the week.

That same pick-and-mix concept is featured at shops like The Pirate Candy Shop, where customers can build their own assortment by the scoop, priced at $2 per ounce.

“We wanted to open our own shop after realizing this wasn’t just a short-term trend,” said Lillhannus, who grew up in Stockholm. “These are the same candies I had as a kid. My parents had them when they were kids too. It’s been around for a long time.”

In the U.S., Swedish candy began gaining traction over the past couple of years, fueled largely by TikTok and Instagram.

Videos of colorful candy walls, exaggeratedly chewy textures, and extreme sour flavors have racked up millions of views, turning what was once a niche import into a widely recognized trend.

The category has found a particularly strong audience among younger consumers, including Gen Z and millennials drawn to both the visual appeal and the ingredient quality.

Unlike many American candies, Swedish varieties are often made without gelatin or artificial dyes, relying instead on plant-based ingredients and natural coloring.

The result is a softer, more “pillowy” texture and brighter, more matte finishes that stand out on camera.

“Some American candies can’t even be sold in Europe because of the ingredients,” Lillhannus said. “What we carry is a higher-quality product, and people can taste the difference.”

The Pirate Candy Shop will carry more than 100 varieties of imported sweets, ranging from sweet and ultra-sour gummies to chocolates, marshmallow-style foam candies, fudge, and sodas.

A large portion of the selection comes from BUBS, one of the most recognizable Swedish names behind the recent surge in popularity.

Another unique candy that will be offered is salmiak, a salty black licorice especially popular across Northern Europe.

The Pirate Candy Shop first launched in 2024 as an online shop and pop-up concept before opening its Hyde Park storefront the following year.

With a steady stream of online orders already coming from St. Pete, the owners say bringing a physical location across the bay was the next logical step.

Be sure to follow the candy shop’s Instagram and Facebook ahead of its summertime opening in downtown St. Pete.

A new women’s boutique is set to open on Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

The Carpenter’s Daughter is expected to open in early May at 1624 Central Avenue, taking over a roughly 900-square-foot space previously occupied by Bohemian Reves.

The shop will sit alongside a growing cluster of new businesses on the block, including The Blue Urban Project Thrift and Gypsea Blooms.

“I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to open a store in St. Pete for the past five years, and for it to be on Central Avenue is a dream come true,” owner Ursula Gonzalez said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

The store will focus on women’s clothing and accessories, with a mix of casual and occasion-ready pieces such as dresses, rompers, blouses, and everyday wear.

The shop will also include handbags, shoes, jewelry, self-care items, and designer-inspired perfumes.

Gonzalez said affordability has been a priority since she first entered the retail space, with the goal of offering stylish options at accessible price points. Sizes are expected to range from extra-small to 3X.

“I use my resources and connections with vendors I’ve known for over a decade, and they know the style and high quality I’m seeking,” Gonzalez said. “I want to offer a boutique experience without the boutique price.”

The St. Pete storefront is currently being renovated with a shabby-chic, French country aesthetic, featuring a soft color palette and a more relaxed shopping environment.

Once open, the shop is expected to operate seven days a week.

Gonzalez began her career at street fairs and festivals before opening a brick-and-mortar shop in the waterfront town of Manasquan, New Jersey. She later sold the store and relocated to Florida.

The Carpenter’s Daughter marks a new chapter for Gonzalez, who previously operated The Everly Boutique in Palm Harbor for four years before closing that location at the end of March.

She has since rebranded and is moving forward with two new storefronts.

“The two spaces became available around the same time, and I decided to take both,” Gonzalez said. “I truly felt like everything was aligning at the right time—something I had been working toward and hoping for—and I’m so grateful to see it come to life.”

In addition to the St. Pete location, a larger flagship store is planned for Tarpon Springs, with a boutique, café, and wine and champagne lounge.

Back in St. Pete, Gonzalez said she’s looking to create more than just a traditional boutique.

Plans include hosting private events, fundraisers, and ladies’ nights, along with offering customers the ability to reserve items through social media with nationwide shipping.

For now, the focus remains on getting the doors open.

“We just want to create a space where people can come in, feel good, and leave with something they love,” Gonzalez said.

A new gelato shop is set to open in St. Pete’s EDGE District next week.

Amorino, a French gelato brand with locations around the world, will celebrate the grand opening of its first Florida storefront at 1246 Central Avenue on Friday, May 1st.

The shop’s entrance is located along 1st Avenue South, and Amorino will share the building with Bosphorus Turkish Cuisine, which recently opened along Central Avenue.

Grand opening festivities will take place Saturday, May 2nd from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with games and promotional giveaways planned throughout the afternoon.

“We are excited to open our first Florida gelato shop in St. Petersburg…Amorino Gelato is one of the most recognizable artisanal gelato brands in Europe,” said local franchisee Germán Rodríguez Daza in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

Founded in 2002 by Paolo Benassi and Cristiano Sereni, Amorino has grown to more than 300 locations across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The St. Pete shop marks the company’s first brick-and-mortar location in Florida, following a kiosk at Tampa’s International Plaza that opened in 2022.

The 1,800-square-foot space is designed to reflect a European-style café, with a bright interior and both indoor and outdoor seating.

The shop is best known for its signature presentation, where gelato is layered into the shape of a rose.

Customers can choose from a range of flavors including hazelnut, pistachio, vanilla, tiramisu, coffee, salted butter caramel, and coconut.

Dairy-free sorbet options are also available, with flavors like mango, strawberry, lemon, chocolate, and lime-basil.

In addition to gelato, the menu includes crepes, waffles, sundaes, milkshakes, cakes, and gelato-filled macarons.

Espresso drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, and affogatos are made using Lavazza coffee beans.

Seasonal and limited-edition flavors will rotate throughout the year.

Be sure to follow Amorino Gelato on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on the latest offerings.

A new boutique centered around custom floral arrangements and curated gifting is preparing to open in the Grand Central District.

Gypsea Blooms, founded by Andrea Harper, will open next month at 1622 Central Avenue, in a roughly 900-square-foot space next to the soon-to-open Blue Urban Project Thrift.

“We are so excited to be part of this community and have a space on Central Avenue,” Nicole Gebler, lead florist and store manager, said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “We’re excited to bring this concept here and give people a thoughtful way to create something special.”

A big part of the shop will be a build-your-own bouquet bar, where customers can select individual stems and assemble their own arrangements.

The store will also offer pre-arranged bouquets across a range of price points, along with single-stem options and dried floral pieces.

In addition to flowers, the coastal-inspired Gypsea Blooms is designed as a one-stop shop for gifting.

Customers can build custom gift baskets using items from around the store, or work with staff to have one assembled on the spot.

“You give us a color scheme or a price point, and we can build it for you right there,” Gebler said. “If you want something simple or something more elevated, we’ll have options for both.”

The boutique will carry a mix of imported and artisan goods, including gourmet chocolates, candles, bath products, handmade bags, and jewelry featuring crystals and shells.

Much of the inventory has been sourced through Harper’s travels, with an emphasis on one-of-a-kind pieces.

“This isn’t going to be your typical boutique,” Gebler said. “There will be items in here that you haven’t seen before in St. Pete. Each piece has a story behind it.”

Gebler, a St. Pete native, connected with Harper by chance at a local coffee shop, where the two quickly bonded over a shared interest in art, travel, and community.

That connection ultimately led to the creation of Gypsea Blooms.

Beyond retail, the shop also plans to host small, hands-on workshops by opening the space to local creatives.

Programming is expected to include floral arrangement classes, gift basket building, jewelry making, watercolor, and other art-based activities.

“We want this to be a space where people can come in and create,” Gebler said. “Not just shop, but actually make something and connect with others.”

Gypsea Blooms is targeting an early May opening, just ahead of Mother’s Day.

Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on the latest offerings, in-store events, and workshops. 

Later this month, residents will have a chance to take a closer look at proposals that could shape the future of the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District in downtown St. Petersburg.

The site is currently home to a swath of surface parking lots and Tropicana Field, where the Tampa Bay Rays have played since 1998.

The City of St. Petersburg is hosting a public open house on Thursday, April 30th, where four shortlisted development teams will present their plans and answer questions from the community.

The event will take place at The Coliseum, located at 535 4th Avenue North, beginning at 5 p.m.

The open house will give attendees an opportunity to meet the developers, review proposal materials, and ask questions ahead of formal presentations, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

A question-and-answer session will follow.

The four teams selected to move forward include Ark Ellison Horus LLC, The Burg Bid, Foundation Vision Partners, and the Pinellas County Housing Authority.

For those unable to attend in person, the city will offer a virtual participation option via Zoom. The event will also be recorded and made available afterward on YouTube and SPTV.

The open house is part of a broader selection process that will continue over the coming months.

Following a 30-day public input period, city administrators are expected to complete a strengths and weaknesses analysis of the shortlisted proposals in May.

That same month, applications will open for the Community Benefits Advisory Council’s project committee, a non-partisan board that advises city leadership on major development projects and community benefits.

Mayor Welch is expected to select a proposal, or proposals, in June after reviewing staff analysis and public feedback.

The selected plan(s) will then move through additional review by the Community Benefits Advisory Council and City Council.

In July, the advisory council is expected to host two meetings, including one with public comment.

Feedback from those meetings will help inform negotiations between the city and the selected development team(s) before a final agreement is brought to City Council for approval.

More information, including virtual meeting details and the full proposals, is available on the city’s website.

Pepe’s Cantina Mexican Grill is expanding in Pinellas County, with a second location planned for Seminole.

Following the success of its first Tampa Bay location in St. Pete’s Historic Kenwood neighborhood, the Central Florida-based restaurant will open at 7756 113th Street Suite E, taking over a former Maple Street Biscuit Company space in Seminole City Center.

The new location is expected to debut in July.

“We’ve seen such a positive response to our location in St. Pete,” managing partner Jose Acosta said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “We get so many guests who come in from Seminole, and they’ll now have a location to visit closer to home.”

The 2,800-square-foot space will feature a bar with seating for about 12 guests, along with booths, high-top tables, and an outdoor patio with lounge-style furniture, bringing total capacity to around 130.

“People can expect a similar design as the existing Pepe’s locations, but with this larger space, we’ll be able to add more decor and detail,” said John Cameron, who owns the restaurant alongside Acosta. “We’ll also have outdoor dining and a lounge area with love seats, which is a first for Pepe’s. Guests are welcome to stay a little longer and enjoy a drink.”

The Seminole location will serve the same menu as other Pepe’s restaurants, with lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch offerings.

The concept combines contemporary Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes, with a mix of traditional and more creative items.

The menu contains a wide range of tacos, including options like birria, al pastor, carnitas, grilled chicken, Angus steak, shrimp, and even octopus, all served with sides and customizable toppings.

Pepe’s also offers small plates through its “Mexican tapas” section, featuring items like jalapeño poppers, queso fundido with chorizo, Mexican-style street corn, empanadas, ceviches with shrimp, mahi-mahi, or octopus, and dishes like Tulum sweet fried shrimp and Hawaiian-style Korean fried chicken.

Larger entrées include everything from enchiladas and chimichangas to fajitas and house specialties like birria risotto and poblano fettuccine.

The menu also includes vegan options, such as plant-based fajitas served in a pineapple, vegan birria tacos, bowls, and burritos made with Impossible beef.

On the beverage side, Pepe’s offers 12 varieties of margaritas, from classic house margaritas to flavored varieties like strawberry, mango, guava, passion fruit, and dragon fruit, along with a smoked margarita and a hibiscus-infused margarita.

The drink program also includes cocktails like mojitos, palomas, espresso martinis, and mezcal mules, along with beer, wine, sangria, and non-alcoholic options such as horchata, fresh limeade, and zero-proof cocktails.

Founded in 2015, Pepe’s Cantina has expanded steadily across Florida, with the Seminole location marking its eighth in the state. Additional growth is underway, including a new restaurant in Boca Raton.

“We always knew this concept was going to be successful, and it took some hard work in the beginning,” Acosta added. “It’s been a journey, and now we’re opening more and more locations.”

Once open, the Seminole restaurant is expected to operate Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., with extended hours on weekends.

A new restaurant is bringing the feel of a French seaside café to Pass-a-Grille.

Cafe Riviera, a French bistro and bakery, is preparing to open at 116 8th Avenue, just steps from the beach and next to Grace, a popular modern American restaurant.

The concept takes over the former Paradise To Go space, which previously operated as a takeout-only spot.

Owner Veronica Alfonzo is reworking the small footprint into a full-service restaurant with indoor seating and an open kitchen.

“It’s going to be a full-service restaurant with seating and an open kitchen where you can see your meals being prepared,” Alfonzo said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “Before, it was just takeout. We want to create more of an experience.”

The café will have approximately 20 seats, with Alfonzo also exploring the possibility of adding outdoor seating in the future, pending city approval.

Alfonzo brings several years of experience in French cuisine, having worked in the restaurant industry for about seven years, including at a well-known French restaurant on Anna Maria Island.

“Now is the time for me to go by myself,” she said. “I have a lot of knowledge about the French style and service, and I think it’s a concept people will really enjoy.”

She will oversee daily operations, while her sister, Rosa, will handle administrative and back-office responsibilities.

Cafe Riviera’s menu leans heavily into French-inspired breakfast and lunch offerings, with a focus on crepes, pastries, and café-style fare.

Crepes are expected to be a star of the menu, with both sweet and savory options and a build-your-own format.

“Our strong point is going to be the crepe preparation,” Alfonzo said. “People will be able to see it being made and choose their own toppings.”

Sweet crepes include options like Nutella with strawberries and banana, Kinder Bueno with dulce de leche, and a Dubai chocolate crepe.

Savory selections range from a Riviera Salmon Crepe with smoked salmon, goat cheese, walnuts, honey, and arugula to a St. Tropez Crepe with vegetables, mozzarella, and pesto.

The menu also features breakfast items such as a smoked salmon bagel with tzatziki and pickled onions, and a croissant breakfast sandwich with eggs, Swiss cheese, and bacon.

Guests can also expect eggs Benedict, French quiches, sandwiches on baguettes and croissants, and a lineup of paninis.

Additional offerings include salads, grain bowls, and flammekueche, a traditional French flatbread similar to a thin-crust pizza, topped with ingredients like sour cream, caramelized onions, bacon, mushrooms, and pesto.

A bakery program will round out the menu, with croissants, pastries, and other baked goods.

“We are going to focus on really good quality ingredients,” Alfonzo said. “That’s very important for us.”

As for drinks, Cafe Riviera will serve espresso-based drinks, alongside organic teas sourced from a Sarasota-based company. Alfonzo is in discussions with a local coffee roaster as well.

The restaurant also plans to pursue a beer and wine license, which would allow for a small selection of French and domestic offerings.

Alfonzo said she may introduce live music and small events depending on licensing.

Hours are expected to run daily from around 7:30 a.m. to late afternoon, with adjustments possible based on demand.

Cafe Riviera is expected to open in early May, pending final approvals.

“We are working fast to open as soon as possible,” Alfonzo said.

Be sure to follow them on Facebook to stay up to date on a grand opening announcement and the latest offerings.