Popular ‘dirty soda’ chain Swig eyes first Pinellas County location

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Popular ‘dirty soda’ chain Swig eyes first Pinellas County location

A viral soda drive-thru by way of Utah may be putting down roots in Pinellas County.

In late December, a pre-application meeting request was filed with the City of Largo, kick-starting the early stages of a potential Swig at the corner of Missouri Avenue North and Rosery Road Northwest between a PNC Bank and Extra Space Storage.

If the project ultimately moves forward, the Largo parcel would become the first Swig in Pinellas County, and one of just a handful of locations in the greater Tampa Bay area.

Founded in Utah, Swig is best known for its customizable “dirty sodas”, a signature creation that combines classic sodas with flavored syrups, fresh fruit purees, and creamy add-ins like coconut cream. 

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After hours of debate, 21-story, 370-unit luxury apartment tower wins approval in downtown St. Pete

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After hours of debate, 21-story, 370-unit luxury apartment tower wins approval in downtown St. Pete

A cluster of small affordable apartment buildings could soon be demolished to make way for a 21-story, 370-unit luxury apartment tower in downtown St. Petersburg.

After hours of debate, the city’s Development Review Commission voted 6-1 Wednesday evening to approve the project planned for a 1.3-acre site along 5th Avenue North between 4th and 5th Streets.

In addition to 370 apartments, the project, known as The Pelican, would also include 3,819 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and a 485-space parking garage.

St. Pete-based Stadler Development, led by John Stadler and his son Chris, is spearheading the $134 million project, which would share a city block with the Hollander Hotel and Trinity Lutheran Church.

Stadler is under contract to purchase the property from local investor Michael Andoniades, who owns the Hollander Hotel and several other properties throughout the city.

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619-unit Alton Skyway apartment community planned for SPC’s Allstate Campus in the Skyway Marina District

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619-unit Alton Skyway apartment community planned for SPC’s Allstate Campus in the Skyway Marina District

For the first time, detailed plans have been filed showing what will replace St. Petersburg College’s former Allstate Campus in the Skyway Marina District.

Delray Beach–based Kolter Multifamily has submitted a site plan review application to the City of St. Pete for Alton Skyway, a luxury garden-style apartment development proposed for the 17.25-acre property at 3200 34th Street South.

The plans call for 619 apartments across eight five-story buildings and neighborhood-scale retail.

According to the application, which is scheduled to be reviewed by the city’s Development Review Commission in February, Alton Skyway would be constructed in two phases.

Phase one would deliver 342 apartments across four buildings on the southern half of the site, along with 484 parking spaces.

Phase two would add the remaining 277 units in four additional buildings and 399 parking spaces.

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After years of controversy, Tubular Tokes has been sold and will rebrand as Hits & Munchies in the Grand Central District

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After years of controversy, Tubular Tokes has been sold and will rebrand as Hits & Munchies in the Grand Central District

New faces will soon greet customers at the space formerly known as Tubular Tokes in the Grand Central District.

Earlier this week, the 1980s-themed vape and smoke shop at 2428 Central Avenue officially changed ownership and will rebrand as Hits & Munchies.

While Tubular Tokes was known for its eclectic interior and wide selection of vapes, CBD, kratom, and novelty snacks, much of the attention surrounding the shop centered on its owner, Skylar Strickland.

Strickland, who remains a polarizing figure in the neighborhood, has had a rough and very public past, including two arrests and frequent confrontations that played out both inside and outside the business.

Over time, some nearby residents and would-be customers said they liked the concept and wanted to support a locally owned shop, but ultimately chose not to patronize Tubular Tokes because of the owner himself.

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400-unit Marina Club Apartments completes construction in the Skyway Marina District

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400-unit Marina Club Apartments completes construction in the Skyway Marina District

Three years after breaking ground, the 400-unit Marina Club Apartments has completed construction in the Skyway Marina District, adding another large residential community to one of St. Petersburg’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.

The eight-story apartment building, located at 4341 34th Street South and overlooking Boca Ciega Bay, was developed by Jack Dougherty of Allied Group Holdings and built by Skanska USA.

Dougherty previously developed the neighboring Marina Walk Apartment Homes, a 245-unit community that opened in 2022.

Marina Club Apartments was designed by Architectonics Studio and consists of six residential floors built atop a two-story podium garage.

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M&M Video Games opens first St. Pete location in the EDGE District

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M&M Video Games opens first St. Pete location in the EDGE District

M&M Video Games, a retailer that has built a loyal following of competitive gamers and collectors since launching in 2012, has opened a new store in the EDGE District of downtown St. Pete.

The shop is located at 1211 1st Avenue North, in the same building as Zubrick Magic Theatre and 1st Avenue Liquors, and held its grand opening on Friday.

The St. Pete outpost is M&M Video Games’ fifth location, joining existing stores in Tampa, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, and Largo.

Store Manager Bradley Gilmore said the team is still stocking shelves inside the 2,475 square foot space, which will carry thousands of retro and current generation video games, consoles, and trading card games.

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Visioning begins for new 28-acre walkable mixed-use development near Warehouse Arts District in St. Pete

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Visioning begins for new 28-acre walkable mixed-use development near Warehouse Arts District in St. Pete

What would you create with 28 acres of land in St Pete? A park? An amphitheater? Attainable housing? Artist studios?

Those questions were at the center of a recent four-day community charrette that began to shape the future of a large industrial property along the Pinellas Trail, home to St. Petersburg Distillery and several vacant buildings.

The 28-acre site at 800 31st Street South, located west of the Warehouse Arts District and across from Gibbs High School, is owned by the Iafrate family and is envisioned as a new Creators District.

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Michael Saunders & Company to open new downtown St. Pete office inside 46-story 400 Central tower

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Michael Saunders & Company to open new downtown St. Pete office inside 46-story 400 Central tower

Sarasota-based real estate firm Michael Saunders & Company is expanding into downtown St. Petersburg with a new office on the ground floor of the 46-story Residences at 400 Central luxury condo tower, which is set to welcome its first residents later this month.

The company, which has served as the exclusive sales agent for Red Apple Group’s 400 Central project, has leased 3,000 square feet fronting Central Avenue. The new office slated to open in spring 2026.

In the meantime, Michael Saunders & Company will operate from a temporary office across the street at 449 Central Avenue while continuing to run the 400 Central sales gallery at 465 Central Avenue.

The expansion strengthens the firm’s presence in the Tampa Bay market at a time when it has added several well-known local agents, including the Jennifer Thayer Group, Julie Larsen, Rodger Kooser, Ashley Nuccio, Dale Guivas, Rick Scherer, and the Dynasty Group.

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Massive 45,000-square-foot urban country club St. Pete Athletic sets an opening date in the Warehouse Arts District

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Massive 45,000-square-foot urban country club St. Pete Athletic sets an opening date in the Warehouse Arts District

After nearly three years of planning, St. Pete Athletic Paddle & Social is officially set to open its doors.

The massive 45,000-square-foot sports, dining, and social concept will soft open this Thursday for members at 680 28th Street South inside The Factory, a 90,000-square-foot arts and culture hub along the Pinellas Trail in the Warehouse Arts District.

The public will be welcomed on Friday, December 19th, with a full grand opening on Saturday, January 10th.

The club was founded by an experienced group of local entrepreneurs, including Reuben Pressman, Jarrett Sabatini of Intermezzo and Bar Mezzo, Green Bench Brewing co-owner Nathan Stonecipher, and Graham D’Amico of Major League Pickleball’s Florida Smash.

Among its investors are ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood, Neptune Flood executives Trevor Burgess and Jon Carlon, professional pickleball players Catherine Parenteau and Travis Rettenmaier, and former Women’s Tennis Association CEO Larry Scott.

In addition to 14 indoor pickleball courts, St. Pete Athletic contains two padel courts, table tennis, billiards, a restaurant, a coffee shop, three distinct bars, saunas, cold plunges, a gym, and much more.

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Aldi quietly opens new store on Park Boulevard in Seminole

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Aldi quietly opens new store on Park Boulevard in Seminole

Aldi has quietly opened its newest Pinellas County location at 12975 Park Boulevard in Seminole, bringing the fast-growing discount grocer into a redeveloped shopping center that once housed a Winn-Dixie.

A grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony will take place next Thursday, December 11th at 8:45 a.m.

The new Seminole store occupies 23,778 square feet of the former 64,000-square-foot Winn-Dixie building. The remaining 35,368 square feet of space is currently available for lease.

The building also includes the 5,000-square-foot Sign of the Dolphin gallery, a longtime retailer known for coastal décor.

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