St. Pete Pier to get another restaurant with opening of Perry’s Porch

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Perry’s Porch, a new café concept created by Seed & Feed Hospitality Group, is coming next year to 335 2nd Avenue NE, a space adjacent to the St. Petersburg Museum of History on the St. Pete Pier. It will take the place of Hops and Props, a craft beer bar that moved to 225 2nd Avenue North last year and rebranded as Hops 2.0. 

According to a news release, Seed & Feed Hospitality Group, which also owns and operates local seafood restaurant Trophy Fish and the Mandarin Hide cocktail bar, has enlisted St. Pete-based Wannemacher Jensen Architects to redesign the space.

Jon Robben has been hired as executive chef and plans to offer a menu that features historical local craft cocktails and picnic-basket-style takeout food options for Pier visitors to enjoy in the amenity’s many green and recreational spaces. Robben is currently the executive chef at Trophy Fish and before that helmed the kitchen as Tryst.

Beverage director and bartender, Morgan Zuch, will also be moving to Perry’s Porch from Trophy Fish.

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“Being born and raised in St. Pete, the St. Petersburg Museum of History and the wonderful story of our community hold a special place in our hearts,” states Ryan Griffin, co-owner of Seed & Feed Hospitality Group, in the release. “We are extremely honored to be part of the Museum’s next century.”

The name Perry’s Porch is inspired by Perry Snell, an early 1900s developer who envisioned a beautiful, walkable, park-filled waterfront for St. Pete. Snell’s spectacular Mediterranean Revival-styled homes helped create the Northshore, Old Northeast, Snell Isle, and Granada Terrace neighborhoods. His 1925 masterpiece, the Snell Arcade building, remains in the heart of downtown St. Pete today.

“We see this as a chance to leave an indelible mark on the St. Pete culinary scene,” adds Blake Thompson, another co-owner of Seed & Feed Hospitality Group. “We want this venue to become an extension of the St. Petersburg Museum of History experience and have us help serve as St. Pete ambassadors to each guest that may be visiting our amazing city.”

Although more details will be announced in the coming weeks, the look and feel of Perry’s Porch will incorporate Snell’s focus on the unity of nature and architecture to create a unique indoor/outdoor oasis. The plan includes a full restaurant, coffee bar, and abundant outdoor dining space for guests to relax and soak up the downtown waterfront.

Perry’s Porch is expected to open in 2024.

“We are beyond thrilled and excited for Perry’s Porch,” St. Petersburg Museum of History Executive Director Rui Farias states in the release. “Ryan and Blake lead a successful local group that wants to honor the city’s past while providing a unique and historic café experience.”

For updates, follow Perry’s Porch on Instagram at @perrysporch.