Vintage Marche to expand with new cafe, more inventory in Skyway Marina District

vintage marche attracts hundreds of pickers during its monthly market openings | CoStar

Customers hunting for their next prized vintage treasure at St. Pete’s Vintage Marche will soon be able to enjoy a cup of coffee while browsing the expansive warehouse.

Tampa Bay’s largest monthly vintage market, which opens on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of every month, will be taking over the neighboring wig shop at 2906 34th Street South in the Skyway Marina District.

Permits have been approved, and construction is already underway to renovate the 3,000-square-foot space that will house the new café.

“I've opened several businesses over the years, but never a café, which has been a dream of mine as a big coffee lover,” said Vintage Marche founder Paul Donofrio in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

“The last time I was in Los Angeles, I visited a bar where everything inside—from the fixtures to the artwork—was for sale, and I wanted to bring that concept here,” Donofrio continued, explaining how the café will complement Vintage Marche.

Named The Buzz—a nod to how bees work together for the greater good of their colony—the new spot will serve locally roasted coffee and pastries while showcasing work from local artists.

The café will enhance the Vintage Marche experience by adding more inventory to the market, which relocated to the Skyway Marina District from the Warehouse Arts District in September 2022.

Antiques and artwork from over 40 vendors fill the market, making it a paradise for antique aficionadods hunting for stained glass windows, chandeliers, artwork, glassware, vinyl records, brass accents, retro clothes, furniture, trinkets, and paintings spanning centuries.

The café’s design will have the same nostalgic vibe, including a mix of antiques and post-modern pieces, with a rotating selection of artwork available for purchase.

“You could be sitting at a table that's 100 years old or something more mid-century. The décor will constantly evolve as items sell or we rotate them out,” he added.

The Buzz’s 18-foot-long coffee bar was salvaged from an old country store, while the back of the bar features its original stained glass and sconces from 1890.

The market is filled with thousands of collectibles, antiques, and other unique finds | facebook image

Vintage Marche plans to source it’s tea, coffee, and baked goods from local suppliers.

At launch, The Buzz will offer drip coffee and espresso-based drinks—from Americanos to lattes—with plans to introduce creative flavors after opening.

Donofrio also intends to obtain a beer and wine license to showcase local breweries.

To enhance the customer experience, a section of the wall between the two spaces has been partially demolished, allowing customers to move between Vintage Marche and Buzz Café without exiting the market.

In addition to serving as a home base for the café and resident artists, the space may also host events in the future.

The Buzz is expected to open by April, ahead of the public monthly market on April 4th through 6th.

In the meantime, vintage enthusiasts can check out Vintage Marche's market this Friday through Sunday.

Be sure to visit Vintage Marche's Instagram and Facebook for the latest inventory and offerings.