May 08, 2023

Duckweed Urban Grocery plans downtown St. Pete store

May 08, 2023/ Brian Zucker

Duckweed Urban Grocery has revealed to St. Pete Rising that it plans to open a new store in downtown St. Pete, its first outside of Tampa, by the end of the year.

Tampa’s favorite neighborhood grocery store has inked a deal to debut inside 2,200 square feet on the ground floor of the Tru by Hilton hotel at 1650 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

Duckweed will join Noble Tavern off the Farm, a new restaurant concept by the owners of Noble Crust, on the first floor of the Tru by Hilton. Noble Tavern is also expected to open by the end of the year.

April 27, 2022

Owners of Noble Crust to open Noble Tavern Off the Farm in downtown St. Pete

April 27, 2022/ Brian Zucker

One of north St. Pete’s most popular and well-known restaurants, Noble Crust, has plans to open a new farm-to-table concept in downtown St. Pete. Noble Tavern Off the Farm is slated to debut in mid-2023 inside the recently completed Tru by Hilton hotel at 1650 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

The new restaurant is a joint venture between Noble Crust owners Jeff Strouse, Tj Theilbar, Tim Curci, and Chris Sweeney and the developer of the Tru by Hilton, Anthony Menna, President and Owner of Menna Development.

"We're extremely excited to create a new concept with this partnership,” stated Tj Theilbar, Co-owner of Noble Crust and Noble Tavern. “None of this would be possible if it wasn't for our hardworking and dedicated team members. We're eager to become a part of the Grand Central District and downtown St. Pete community."

November 29, 2018

‘Tru by Hilton’ Hotel Coming to St. Pete’s Grand Central District

November 29, 2018/ Anthony Close

When visiting Downtown St. Pete, whether it be for business or pleasure, odds are that travelers will choose stay either in a hotel in the downtown core, such as the Hyatt Place, or in a hotel along Beach Drive, like the Vinoy or Hampton Inn. While these hotels vary in size and style, they have one thing in common: they are relatively close to the waterfront.

For years, tourism in downtown has revolved around the waterfront with draws such as our world-class waterfront park system, picturesque cafes along Beach Drive, and nationally-recognized museums. These draws have led to new hotels, like the under construction Galaxy Hotel, in addition to numerous hotel renovation projects.

But with the growth of Downtown St. Pete and the western expansion of shops and restaurants along Central Avenue, more of downtown is becoming the destination.