Wild Child owners to open martini-focused cocktail lounge Slim Charmer in Grand Central District

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Wild Child owners to open martini-focused cocktail lounge Slim Charmer in Grand Central District

The team behind the popular Wild Child restaurant is opening a new intimate cocktail lounge in the Grand Central District early next year.

Tucked inside a charming, 1940s building adjacent to Wild Child’s patio at 2706 Central Avenue, Slim Charmer is the rebellious little sister of Wild Child and plans to offer a unique blend of bold, martini-focused cocktails and elevated, seasonal small plates.

Owned by Ron Reinsmith and Matt Kaye, the cozy 26-seat lounge is named after Kaye's wife (a former nickname of hers) and the 800-square-foot space the lounge will occupy.

The interior will boast a contemporary atmosphere inspired by New York City's metropolitan energy.

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Done Deals: $250M condo project coming to Clearwater Beach, Affordable housing complex sells, St. Pete florist sells warehouse

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Done Deals: $250M condo project coming to Clearwater Beach, Affordable housing complex sells, St. Pete florist sells warehouse

Done Deals is a weekly column by St. Pete Rising spotlighting recent real estate market insight and significant deals happening in the Sunshine City and beyond. The following information is sourced from public records and trusted intel.

Have real estate news to share? Send us an email at hello@stpeterising.com.

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Former pro tennis player opens indoor pickleball facility in Largo

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Former pro tennis player opens indoor pickleball facility in Largo

An industrial warehouse-turned-pickleball facility for professionals and amateur players is opening in Largo.

Former tennis professional and native Brandon Anandan has converted a 10,400-square-foot building at 8116 Ulmerton Road into Dink House, an indoor four-court asphalt pickleball club for players at all levels.

"The transition from tennis to pickleball was easy," Anandan said to St. Pete Rising. "I found myself competing and winning tournaments. With the long wait times and people not playing properly and hurting themselves, I saw a need for a place like this."

After completing the courts years ago, Anandan has finally got the green light through the permitting process for the club, which is currently open.

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Pulpo, a new Latin and Peruvian-fusion restaurant and bar, debuts in the Grand Central District

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Pulpo, a new Latin and Peruvian-fusion restaurant and bar, debuts in the Grand Central District

Pulpo Kitchen & Lounge, a Latin and Peruvian-inspired restaurant and bar from the owners of the popular Brick and Mortar restaurant in downtown St. Pete, has opened in the Grand Central District.

The restaurant at 2147 Central Avenue boasts turquoise booths, brass accents, and a menu featuring cocktails with a kick, a fully-charred octopus, and twists on traditional ceviche. The restaurant was first reported by St. Pete Rising in January 2023.

"You will not find anything else like this in St. Petersburg," General Manager and Beverage Director Dylan Ruhe said to Rising inside the new space.

Dylan is the cousin of owner Jason Ruhe. Ruhe and his wife, Hope Montgomery, are the same duo behind downtown St. Petersburg’s Brick & Mortar Kitchen + Wine Bar. Meanwhile, Chef Marcos Bernal from Sea Worthy is the head chef of Pulpo.

Pulpo, which translates to "octopus" in Spanish, will represent a marriage of cuisines from Central and South America, and influences from Peru and Mexico.

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Classic vintage cocktail bar Tampa Bay Drinkery opens in the Grand Central District

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Classic vintage cocktail bar Tampa Bay Drinkery opens in the Grand Central District

Green and beige velvet chairs, mismatched oriental rugs, antique clocks, and a grand piano on center stage are part of the eclectic atmosphere inside a new bar and music venue in St. Pete's Grand Central District.

Located at 2756 Central Avenue, Tampa Bay Drinkery is the brainchild of Wellington Moto, who’s part of the management team at Grumpy Gringo Liquors located next door to the new bar.

“I handpicked all of the vintage items here down to the lightbulbs,” Moto said to St. Pete Rising, showing a stack of vinyl records next to a grand piano.

Moto scoured auction houses, antique dealers, and collectors from around the country for the long-vacant space.

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