March 06, 2024

95-unit affordable housing building proposed near 34th Street in St. Pete

March 06, 2024/ Brian Hartz

The St. Petersburg Housing Authority and Tampa Bay Area-based affordable housing developer Blue Sky Communities are moving forward with an affordable housing project that will bring a 95-unit apartment complex to a 1.35-acre site at the intersection of 32nd Avenue North and Hartford Street in north St. Petersburg.

When it was first announced in February 2023, the Hartford project was expected to consist of 47 affordable units for seniors and families whose incomes are below the 60% area median income (AMI) threshold.

However, on February 15th the St. Pete City Council approved a zoning change that will allow higher-density housing to be built on the parcel.

February 27, 2024

First look at St. Pete's Whole Foods Market ahead of tomorrow's grand opening

February 27, 2024/ Brian Hartz

Three years after it was first announced, St. Petersburg’s first and only Whole Foods Market, and the company’s 537th store, is set to open at 9 a.m. on February 28th at 201 38th Avenue North, and the Austin, Texas-based specialty grocery store chain provided St. Pete Rising a sneak peek prior to the 41,100-square-foot store’s grand opening.

Local touches can be found in the store’s product assortment, which features more than 800 locally sourced products from the Southeast, curated with the help of Dustin Kennedy, Whole Foods Market’s local forager.

Some of the local and regional suppliers include Mother Kombucha, Greg Abrams Seafood, Wild Seafood Co., Keys Fisheries, Lady Moon Farms, Sunny Culture, Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co., Adam’s Ranch, Green Bench Brewing Co., Escape Brewing Co., 3 Sons Brewing Co., Gelato Fino, Momma’s Baked Goods, Chef Cristy’s, Glasers Organic Farms, Norman Love Confections, Mozzarita, Wood’s Fisheries, and Hardee Fresh.

February 21, 2024

Club Pilates to open north St. Pete fitness studio on 4th Street

February 21, 2024/ Brian Hartz

The building that formerly housed Wave Pool & Grill, at 347 62nd Avenue North, finally has a new tenant: Club Pilates, a Pilates studio franchise based in Irvine, California.

Club Pilates has several existing locations in Pinellas County including one at 120 Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg, 6800 Gulfport Boulevard South in South Pasadena, 40956 U.S. Highway 19 North in Tarpon Springs, and 10125 Ulmerton Road, Suite 3, in Largo, as well as several more in Hillsborough County.

The opening date of the north St. Pete location is not yet known but signs are up and exterior and interior renovation work is under way.

February 15, 2024

Crepeway Caffe to bring freshly-made crepes to St. Pete's EDGE District

February 15, 2024/ Brian Hartz

Crepeway Caffe, a new venture from Konstantinos Chilias, also known as Chef Dinos, will open by the end of February at 1572 Central Avenue, where it will be part of the EDGE Eatery food hall.

The restaurant was originally going to occupy 907 Central Avenue, a space that was formerly the home of Now and Then, a vintage furniture shop.

Chef Dinos has owned and operated La Creperia Café in Ybor City for nearly 20 years. In an interview with St. Pete Rising, he said Crepeway Caffe’s menu will be similar to that of La Creperia Café.

February 14, 2024

J.Crew to open store in Northeast Shopping Plaza in St. Pete

February 14, 2024/ Brian Hartz

One of the biggest names in clothing is opening a new location at Northeast Shopping Plaza, a Publix-anchored cluster of retail and service businesses at 226 37th Avenue North.

J. Crew will occupy a 4,982-square-foot space at the busy shopping center, according to documents filed with the City of St. Petersburg. The space was most recently a Play It Again Sports.

The New York-based clothing retailer, whose brands include J. Crew, Madewell, and J. Crew Factory, opened its first brick-and-mortar store in 1989 and now has more than 480 locations throughout the United States.