Juno and the Peacock will replace 400 Beach in downtown St. Pete

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Juno and the Peacock will replace 400 Beach in downtown St. Pete

It’s been nine months since 400 Beach abruptly closed for renovations. However, instead of reopening, the seafood restaurant and tap house will be replaced by an entirely new restaurant and cocktail lounge expected to open this summer.

Juno and the Peacock is set to take the place of 400 Beach, a longtime staple of Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete, following a comprehensive makeover to the space.

400 Beach was an early trailblazer on Beach Drive, downtown St. Pete’s de facto restaurant row, when local restauranteur Steve Westphal opened the eatery in 2009.

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Iconic tiki bar and restaurant Don the Beachcomber now open in Madeira Beach

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Iconic tiki bar and restaurant Don the Beachcomber now open in Madeira Beach

The tiki bar that started it all relaunches today in Madeira Beach with authentic tiki cocktails and Polynesian-themed dishes for everyone from hardcore tikiphiles to adventurous locals.

Don the Beachcomber, recognized as the first tiki bar and the genesis of tiki culture in America, has debuted on the ground floor of the Cambria Hotel at 15015 Madeira Way on Madeira Beach.

Donn Beach, an adventurer, businessman, and World War II veteran, opened the original Don the Beachcomber in Hollywood, California nearly 90 years ago. The restaurant and bar was inspired by his travels to the Caribbean and the South Pacific, where he was enchanted by the allure of the islands, their mystique, and their tropical flavors.

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Jeremiah's Italian Ice to take over former Kahwa Coffee in west St. Pete

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Jeremiah's Italian Ice to take over former Kahwa Coffee in west St. Pete

Orlando-based Jeremiah’s Italian Ice will soon be scooping up its iconic frozen treats in St. Petersburg.

Jeremiah’s will be located at 4850 Park Street North, formerly home to Kahwa Coffee, in west St. Pete, according to the company’s website. The new shop will be situated just north of Tyrone Boulevard in a shopping center anchored by Kohl’s, Ross, and Total Wine.

The 1,800-square-foot St. Pete outpost will be owned by local franchisee Shawn Shbib, who opened his first Jeremiah’s three years ago at 13100 Seminole Boulevard Suite 103 in Largo. In addition to St. Pete, Shbib is also planning a Clearwater location at 541 S Ft. Harrison Avenue.

"The best franchise to own is one that you're passionate about. What drew me to Jeremiah's was the culture and business model,” said Schbib in a Facebook post in 2020. “Enjoy what you do and take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. Live life to the coolest!”

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Proposed 60-unit affordable housing project receives $2.74 million from the City of St. Pete

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Proposed 60-unit affordable housing project receives $2.74 million from the City of St. Pete

St. Petersburg City Council recently approved a resolution to allocate $2,740,000 in City funds for the construction of a new three-story affordable housing community in south St. Pete.

The new project, named Bayou Court Apartments, is set to rise near the southeast corner of Lake Maggiore at 4201 6th Street South.

The two-acre property, which was formerly home to The Old Landmark Cathedral of God, was purchased by Gravel Road Partners in 2022 for $1.7 million.

“We are an acutely focused workforce and affordable housing developer along the east coast,” said Tyler Herbert, Founding Partner at Washington D.C.-based Gravel Road Partners, during the November 30th City Council meeting. “We have about 1,200 units in our pipeline and all we do is public-private partnerships.”

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Cheeky's, a fish and chicken bar, is coming to the Grand Central District

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Cheeky's, a fish and chicken bar, is coming to the Grand Central District

Cheeky’s, a raw bar and seafood grill with classic fried chicken, will debut in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District in mid-2024.

The new concept will be located at 2823 Central Avenue in a portion of the building formerly home to China Finders, a specialty china shop which closed earlier this year after more than 30 years in business.

Cheeky’s is being brought to life by Tampa native Nate Siegel, co-founder of Tampa’s award-winning Willa’s, a neighborhood restaurant and bar, and Willa’s Provisions, a casual all-day café.

“Coming to St. Pete is a dream come true, and opening a new little place along Central Avenue like Cheeky’s is so exciting,” said Siegel. “This is already such a special community, and I am honored to become a small part of it alongside my friends at Bandit, Baba, Wild Child. and more.” 

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