The gluten-free and vegan HaleLife bakery and bistro, known for its decadent treats and savory breakfast dishes, will open a second St. Pete storefront in the Warehouse Arts District.

HaleLife founder Laura McCutcheon has signed a lease to operate the bistro at 2462 5th Avenue South, which most recently housed The Chelsea, a beloved cozy coffee shop that debuted in 2021.

The HaleLife Bistro will open this July in the 800-square-foot space, making it the local business's fourth Tampa Bay storefront.

McCutcheon and her son, Taylor Miller, both diagnosed with Celiac Disease in the early 2000s, set out on a mission to serve gluten-free, dairy-, soy-, egg-, tree nut-, and peanut-free baked goods, opening their first Tampa store in 2017.

"This is something I genuinely believe in because I need it and understand where people are coming from - we are in the same shoes," said McCutcheon, joking that while the pastries and sandwiches are gluten-free, they aren't "guilt-free."

Every product is made from HaleLife's dedicated facility and is completely gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-friendly. The bread and pizza crusts are homemade recipes made fresh.

Last year, HaleLife was named one of the best gluten-free bakeries in America by USA Today, among receiving other awards and accolades.

Today, there are two HaleLife Bakeries in Tampa and one HaleLife Bistro, offering an extended menu, in north St. Pete, which serves as the primary commercial kitchen.

"Customers are used to sweet treats, but at our bistros, people can enjoy gluten-free and vegan grilled cheeses and other nostalgic meals."

The new Warehouse Arts District bistro will have comfortable seating on the patio with plants and shade for the new 30-seat eatery.

The bistro will continue to offer coffee from Safety Harbor-based small-batch roaster Brown Bag Coffee and hemp/CBD/mushroom-infused drinks. 

It will also feature quick service to-go items including:

• Coffee cake

• Blueberry banana bread

• Raspberry lemon poppyseed bread

• Sunshine bread

• Spinach artichoke quiche

• Sun-dried tomato spinach quiche

• Starbucks-inspired egg bites with Southwestern, 3 Cheese, and Bac'n & Cheddar flavors

Over the next few months, McCutcheon plans to add a wine bar concept on Friday and Saturday nights. The wine bar will serve bruschetta, among other small plates.

The opportunity to move into Seaboard Crossing, the warehouse-turned-retail plaza, has been a full-circle journey for McCutcheon who once eyed the space the MADbolic gym franchise now occupies next door.

"That was where my original bistro space was going to be," said McCutcheon.

She pursued the site for two years, but after facing obstacles due to zoning and allowable building use, she opted for the current space.

"We are thrilled to have HaleLife Bakery and excited for their grand opening in the coming weeks. HaleLife compliments our first-class fitness studio MADabolic, nationally recognized RAD Power Bikes, and the soon-to-open indoor golf training venue, Golfology," said Brent Lieberman, Founding Principal of Levelan Partners, owners of the property.

Levelan Partners purchased the 2.5-acre industrial lot for $5 million in 2021, converting the warehouses and rebranding the property as Seaboard Crossing - a nod to the old Seaboard Rail line that serviced the district.

Amid the new opening, HaleLife will continue operating the two Tampa bakeries until the leases expire.

McCutcheon plans to close the two bakeries and open another bistro concept in Tampa in early 2025.

"We have people come from all over the U.S. to visit us,” McCutcheon said about the growing brand. “We have customers who attended our grand opening in 2017 and still come to us to order vegan wedding cakes and smash cakes."

Be sure to follow HaleLife Bistro on Facebook and Instagram for the latest announcements.