Escape into the world of old Hollywood during the roaring 1920’s with a unique celebration of historic St. Pete at The Scott, a new downtown destination featuring expertly crafted drinks and locally roasted coffee, located in The Cordova Inn at 253 2nd Avenue North.

Set to open in April 2021, The Scott will be on spotlight in the recently upgraded lobby of The Cordova, which sits only a few blocks from the new St. Pete Pier, The Mall at Sundial, and is next door to the soon-to-open American craft beer tap house, Hops 2.0.

The Scott’s craft coffee bar will be open daily between 8am-3pm serving signature java drinks. The bar is partnering with Hogg Batch Coffee, owned by St. Pete locals Duane and David Hogg, who recently found a home for their roastery on the 2300 block of Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.  

Hogg Batch Coffee is unique in that they age their beans in barrels from different liquor distilleries. The process makes each batch taste different than the last. The beans are then aged and roasted with whiskey, bourbon, and gin at their Central Ave facility. The roasting process removes the alcohol, making their coffee an enjoyable, non-alcoholic beverage.  

“Bringing Hogg Batch’s product into the coffee bar was in line with our goal of incorporating locals who have the same love for St. Pete and the community as we do. At the same time, we wanted to work with people who are doing something new and innovative with their business model,” said Founder and Chief Investment Officer of the New Hotel Collection, Tommy Del Zoppo, who is one of the new owners of Cordova Inn. New Hotel Collection purchased the Cordova Inn from entrepreneur Steve Gianfilippo for $3 million in December 2020.

Hogg Batch is making an everyday brew for The Scott, which will be available in addition to their specialty coffees, such as the All Americano or the Cordova Latte. Once you pick up your coffee, you can find a spot to read the morning newspaper, scroll through your phone, or answer emails in the intimate lobby or under the veranda outside.

While the lobby area is reserved first for hotel guests, it is also a space for locals to experience a change of pace while enjoying a great cup of coffee. Plush couches, high top tables, and bar seating combine relaxation with work seating for multi-purpose uses. There is also an enclosed business center that can be reserved for meetings or events.

Not only does The Scott come alive during the early morning hours, but there is also something for the evening crowd as well. On Wednesday through Sunday from 4pm-11pm, the bar begins serving classic cocktails with a twist. Some of the exclusive drink offerings include The Cordova Martini featuring all local ingredients such as St. Pete-distilled Banyan Reserve Vodka and an espresso shot made with Hogg Batch’s signature coffee blend. The Scott cocktail is a fresh take on an Old Fashioned and The Burg brings the crisp taste of a traditional Manhattan to life.  

Accompanying the signature drinks is a food menu focused on appetizers and small dishes. The initial menu will start small and continue to develop based on the feedback from customers and hotel guests.

The Scott will also feature paintings and photography from local artists. So, whether you are sipping on your morning coffee or winding down with an early evening cocktail, you can take a short art walk around the lobby to see the latest exhibit. 

It wasn’t just Cordova Inn’s rich history that attracted New Hotel Collection owners and partners, Alex Hodges and Del Zoppo, to this investment. “We saw an opportunity to really start appealing to the tourists who are coming to St. Pete for more than just the beaches,” said Del Zoppo. With St. Pete’s ever developing arts, restaurant and museum scene, there is increasing demand for affordable hotel accommodations that put guests in the middle of the action.

“Our goal is to deliver a 5-star experience at a 3-star price point,” Del Zoppo enthusiastically expressed. As St. Pete has grown, Del Zoppo and his partner noticed the lack of affordable, mid-luxury hotel rooms available and set out to change that.

The name, “The Scott” pays homage to the rich history of the Cordova Inn, which was built in 1921 as The Scott. The owners wanted to keep those memories alive with photos provided by the St. Petersburg Museum of History, which are on display throughout the hotel. “We want our guests to feel as though they are stepping back in time,” said Del Zoppo.

The Scott, a new coffee bar featuring local roasters and an evening bar with signature drinks, is opening in The Cordova Inn at 253 2nd Avenue North in mid-April. For more updates on the grand opening and information on their drink selection, check out the Scott’s website.