April 26, 2024

The Florida Holocaust Museum's expansion project reaches construction milestone

April 26, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

The haunting stories of the systematic murder of millions of Europe's Jews during the Second World War will continue to be shared on a larger scale thanks to an expansion of The Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg.

Friday morning, state legislators and supporters took turns signing a steel beam, symbolizing the topping-out of the first phase of construction that will bring a new entrance and exhibit space for the museum at 55 5th Street South in downtown St. Pete.

"The expansion project demonstrates that we are as strong as ever and expanding at a time when the lessons of the Holocaust have never been more important," Interim CEO Michael Igel said to attendees while standing at the active construction site.

April 26, 2024

New Italian market and food hall to open in downtown St. Pete

April 26, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

A vacant commercial space in St. Pete's Grand Central District will become a new high-end Italian market and dining hall.

Julius Nasso, founder of The Big City Group and Big City Hospitality, has announced plans for the new concept, San Valentino Italian Market, which will debut later this year at 2063 1st Avenue South.

The 12,082-square-foot building, located behind Trophy Fish seafood restaurant, was formerly occupied by Classic Architectural, a local cabinet and furniture fabricator.

This will be Big City Hospitality’s first concept in downtown St. Pete.

April 25, 2024

Popular Asian-fusion food truck Shiso Crispy opening restaurant this weekend on Central Avenue

April 25, 2024/ Brian Hartz

Shiso Crispy, a food-truck-based Asian fusion eatery, is moving from Pinellas Park to St. Petersburg’s EDGE District while simultaneously launching franchises in other cities and states.

Owner and Head Chef Ronicca Whaley, in an interview with St. Pete Rising, said she will open this weekend at 1431 Central Avenue. There will be a soft opening on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a full opening on Saturday.

“I’ve made this a really cool, vibey spot to go hang out and eat Shiso Crispy food,” Whaley said.

The space was previously occupied by a cheese shop operated by Brooklyn South and, before that, Gracie Pasta and Provisions.

April 24, 2024

St. Pete Beach approves $500 million expansion of TradeWinds Island Resorts

April 24, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

After St. Pete Beach commissioners delayed voting on TradeWinds' proposed expansion plans last week, the owners have finally won their approval.

Following hours of debate that started Tuesday evening and bled into Wednesday morning, in a 3-2 vote, the commissioners narrowly approved a development agreement and conditional use permit (CUP).

The approval comes with a list of conditions for the redevelopment of the 25-acre beachfront resort at 5500 Gulf Boulevard on St. Pete Beach.

Commissioners Karen Marriott, Nick Filtz, and Richard Lorenzen voted in favor of the expansion plans. Mayor Adrian Petrila and Betty Rzewnicki cast the opposing votes.

April 24, 2024

Popular Orlando restaurant Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine to open in St. Pete’s EDGE District

April 24, 2024/ Brian Zucker

An authentic Turkish restaurant serving chargrilled chicken kebap, fresh babaganoush, and slow-braised lamb shank is coming to Central Avenue this winter.

Bosphorous, which refers to the body of water that lies in the center of Istanbul and connects Europe to Asia, will take over a portion of the ground floor of the former Furnish Me Vintage building across the street from Hawkers Asian Street Food.

The building, located at 1246 Central Avenue, is part of a larger mixed-use development known as the EDGE Collective being brought to life by Miami-based PTM Partners and DoveHill Capital Management. Anchoring the project is a 163-key Moxy Hotel by Marriott, which is slated to open in June.