March 05, 2025

Glamper, a camping-themed bar, opens this week in downtown St. Pete

March 05, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Burgers sizzling on the grill, beers chilling in coolers, and friends gathered to watch the big game—this is the endless summer vibe that the new Glamper bar and restaurant wants to bring to downtown St. Pete.

Inspired by backyard cookouts, Fourth of July celebrations, and other summertime traditions, Glamper is set to open this Thursday, March 6th, at 217 Central Avenue, starting at 9 p.m.

The space was formerly home to Caddy’s on Central, which closed in 2020 after COVID-19 shuttered restaurants and bars across Florida. It was later slated to become Nauti Duchess, a nautical-themed bar and seafood restaurant, but those plans never materialized.

The new establishment is being brought to St. Pete by Ohio-based Forward Hospitality Group—known for ’70s-themed club Good Night John Boy, country bar Welcome to the Farm, and retro martini bar My Rich Uncle.

March 05, 2025

Irish party bar Dublin Drop debuts in downtown St. Pete

March 05, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Get ready to raise a pint of Guinness, St. Pete—there’s a new Irish party bar in town.

Dublin Drop opens today at 6 p.m. at 129 1st Avenue North in downtown St. Pete.

The new bar is from Michael Jennings of The Drink St. Pete Group, the team behind other popular downtown bars, such as One Night Stand, Tequila Daisy, Whiskey Exchange, and Pour Judgement.

Although the 3,000-square-foot bar will feature Irish beers and whiskies, Jennings doesn’t consider it a traditional Irish pub.

“It’s a party bar,” said Jennings. “We won’t serve Irish food or play Irish music. Think more along the lines of Irish Kevin’s in Key West.”

March 04, 2025

Local furniture store Gibson’s on Central opens in the Grand Central District

March 04, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

St. Pete residents hunting for a new couch or dining set and resorting to shopping at giant retailers outside of the area now have a new local option.

With a keen eye for decor, flipping rooms into modern-style spaces with a blend of traditional architecture, local interior designer Tara Gibson has opened her own storefront selling furniture and home accessories in the Grand Central District.

Imported chairs and sofas, Himalayan blankets, rugs, and light fixtures fill the space at 2646 Central Avenue named Gibson's on Central.

The shop, currently open with a planned grand opening on March 8th, was formerly occupied by Salty Roots Salon and Boutique and is directly next to Bandit Coffee.

March 03, 2025

Amorino and its flower-shaped gelato is coming to the EDGE District

March 03, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

The first Florida brick-and-mortar location of French chain Amorino Gelato is headed for downtown St. Pete.

Opening at 1246 Central Avenue in the EDGE District, Amorino serves its gelato via spatula, famously shaped into a flower — with the option to add a macaron to the center.

The 1,800-square-foot shop will front 1st Avenue South, directly across from Tropicana Field, inside a 110-year-old building that will also house Bosphorus Turkish Cuisine.

The newly renovated building is part of the EDGE Collective, a mixed use development that will also include a 20-story tower with 360 apartments and 24,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

February 27, 2025

Inside the 2025 Downtown Development Guide: Grappling with growth amid market headwinds

February 27, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

New zoning changes, the sweeping rise of commercial and residential development, and the promise of revitalizing neighborhoods are molding the ever-evolving identity of the Sunshine City.

This Tuesday, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership released its 2025 Downtown St. Pete Development Guide, an annual resource tool providing a snapshot of the latest economic and commercial activity to encourage public and private stakeholders to spur healthy growth in the area.

"The data, trends, and projects on the horizon really comprise the blueprint for how we continue to grow with purpose, intention, and resilience," Mayor Ken Welch said during the Partnership's Development Summit hosted at the new EDGE Collective office building next to the Moxy Hotel.