June 05, 2026

Drift + Story opens in Gulfport with apparel, gifts, and locally made goods

June 05, 2026/ Kyla Fields

A new boutique specializing in coastal-inspired apparel, accessories, and locally made goods has debuted in Gulfport.

Owner Haley Santamaria recently opened Drift + Story at 3129 Beach Boulevard, bringing a mix of women's apparel, sunglasses, hats, swimwear, candles, water bottles, children's beach accessories, jewelry, and other gift items to the waterfront business district.

Originally from California, Santamaria moved to Florida about two years ago to be closer to family. Earlier this year, she left her corporate job to open the boutique.

Drift + Story soft opened on May 23rd and has been steadily expanding its inventory since welcoming its first customers.

The space was previously occupied by Paw Paw's pet supply store, which closed in late 2024 following back-to-back hurricanes.

June 04, 2026

Lakeland Film Lab to bring analog photography back to St. Pete this fall

June 04, 2026/ Brian Zucker

Vinyl is back. Flip phones are trending again. And film photography is having a moment too.

This fall, St. Pete photographers will have a new place to develop film, rent cameras, learn darkroom techniques, and connect with fellow creatives.

Lakeland Film Lab is headed to 2821 Central Avenue, taking over a 1,300-square-foot storefront in the Grand Central District between Cheeky's Fish & Raw Bar and the recently announced Nightwatch wine bar.

The St. Pete location will be the company's second. Husband-and-wife duo Nick and Elizabeth Buttrey launched the first Lakeland Film Lab in downtown Lakeland last year.

Since opening, the Lakeland store has taken off. They've even developed film for a few big musicians, including Coi Leray, SZA, and Snoop Dogg.

The St. Pete shop, expected to debut in November, will offer many of the same services as its Lakeland counterpart, such as film processing, scanning, film sales, classes, and community events, while adding several new features, including camera rentals, a community darkroom, and a custom photo booth designed specifically for St. Pete.

June 01, 2026

Popular eyewear brand Warby Parker coming to downtown St. Pete

June 01, 2026/ Veronica Brezina

A popular eyewear brand is making its way to downtown St. Pete.

Warby Parker, known for its prescription glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and eye care services, will open its first St. Petersburg storefront at 1124 Central Avenue in the EDGE District.

The property is one of several acquired by Dallas-based investment firm 90Ten, which has spent $18.5 million in the EDGE District since December.

The new store will occupy the space previously home to Bacon Bitch, which closed in 2024. The storefront was also the original home of Bodega’s juice bar before the Cuban eatery expanded a few doors down.

While an opening date has not yet been announced, Warby Parker is already hiring for several positions, including an optical manager, licensed optician, and additional retail roles.

Once open, the location is expected to offer comprehensive eye exams, prescription updates, and the company's full lineup of eyewear products.

May 28, 2026

Nightwatch, a neighborhood wine bar, is coming to the Grand Central District

May 28, 2026/ Brian Zucker

A new neighborhood wine bar is coming to the Grand Central District, with an expansive wine list, a large backyard patio, and a casual, laidback vibe.

Nightwatch is expected to open before the end of the year at 2817 Central Avenue.

The concept comes from Bryce Kennedy and Sydney Knowlton, the owners behind Neighborhood Wine Shop, which recently celebrated its first anniversary a few doors down at 2875 Central Avenue.

The 1,200-square-foot bar will offer a large wine selection, with roughly 250 to 300 labels planned for the bottle list, alongside around 20 to 25 wines by the glass at any given time.

Beer, non-alcoholic cocktails, and low-ABV cocktails will also be available.

“The focus will be on wines in the $70 to $120 range,” Kennedy said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “That’ll make up the bulk of the menu. That being said, if you want to come in and order an expensive Burgundy or old Bordeaux, we’ll have that too. It just won’t be the focus.”

The food menu will stay simple with cheeses, charcuterie, and bar bites offered.

May 27, 2026

New social-fitness gym The Yard Gym opening this summer in the Grand Central District

May 27, 2026/ Kyla Fields

A new social-fitness gym is preparing to open in the Grand Central District.

The Yard Gym, a fitness club focused on strength training, conditioning, and team-based fitness classes, will open next month at 2060 1st Avenue South in the former Grayspeed Cycles space.

The St. Pete franchise is owned by local resident Taylor Dove, who says the gym is targeting a grand opening on Saturday, June 13th.

The 3,264-square-foot facility will include two air-conditioned workout spaces dedicated to The Yard’s signature training programs.

One area, called RIG, focuses on strength training with barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance equipment, while the other area, called TURF, is geared toward conditioning workouts using sleds, cardio equipment, bodyweight exercises, and functional training movements.

The gym will also offers PAYDAY and GAMEDAY classes, which blend strength and conditioning with team-oriented and competitive workouts.

May 20, 2026

New paint-and-sip studio Sunshine City Paint opening in the EDGE District

May 20, 2026/ Kyla Fields

A new, family-friendly art experience is headed to the EDGE District of downtown St. Pete.

Sunshine City Paint, a paint-and-sip lounge and art studio, will open this summer at 909 Central Avenue in the former Expedia Cruises space, between the now-closed Buya ramen bar and new pasta to-go concept Fusillo.

Owner Julie Gioscio tells St. Pete Rising that the business is targeting a soft opening in early June.

The studio will offer paint-and-sip sessions where customers can create artwork while enjoying beer or wine, along with instructor-guided painting classes and other art-focused events.

“I’ve been really passionate about art since I was young, and this opportunity feels full circle because the first career I ever wanted, even at five years old, was to be an artist,” Gioscio says. “The studio will provide easy and affordable indoor activities that will help build community.”

“It’s definitely about the fun of it. We’re not making fine art here,” she adds.

May 14, 2026

New candle and floral shop Ember & Rose Designs opens this fall in the Grand Central District

May 14, 2026/ Veronica Brezina

A new candle and floral shop centered around handcrafted goods and interactive experiences is coming to the Grand Central District.

Ember & Rose Designs, founded by Brandon Sexton and Mellisa Miyoshi, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location at 1916 Central Avenue. The space was previously occupied by SaltLight Art, which is relocating next door.

The business launched less than a year ago, with Sexton and Miyoshi producing candles and floral arrangements out of their home in Tampa.

Demand quickly outgrew the residential setup, leading the pair to relocate both their home and business to St. Pete.

“We love the locals and want to bring something special to this community,” Miyoshi said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. She also credited SaltLight Art owner Mary Long with helping guide them through the process of opening the storefront.

May 13, 2026

National yoga franchise CorePower Yoga to take over former bank building in the EDGE District

May 13, 2026/ Veronica Brezina

CorePower Yoga, touted as the largest yoga studio brand in the U.S., is opening its first Tampa Bay location in St. Pete.

The company, which offers a range of yoga classes and instructor certification classes, has signed a lease at 965 Central Avenue in the EDGE District.

CorePower Yoga is expected to open its new studio in 2027.

The building, originally constructed in 1926, is currently vacant and was previously occupied by Flagship Bank, which relocated to 3303 4th Street North in 2025 after four years on Central Avenue.

The 4,200-square-foot building is part of a cluster of properties recently sold to Dallas-based investment firm 90Ten.

CorePower Yoga was founded by avid outdoorsman Trevor Tice, who turned to yoga for rehabilitation after suffering a serious rock-climbing injury in Colorado. Inspired by his recovery journey, he opened the first CorePower Yoga studio in Denver in 2002.

May 13, 2026

Boho-chic women's boutique SaltLight Art expands in the Grand Central District

May 13, 2026/ Veronica Brezina

After three years in downtown St. Petersburg, SaltLight Art boutique has found a new home - just one door down from its original location.

SaltLight Art, a women’s boho-chic boutique offering apparel and handcrafted artisanal goods, is relocating from its 1,000-square-foot storefront to 1916 Central Avenue Suite B.

The new location, which is more than double the space of the current shop, previously housed the Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary before it closed in late April.

“When they closed, we saw this as a great opportunity to hop right over into this larger space and get a larger square footage without leaving our block and our neighborhood,” owner Mary Long, who co-owns SaltLight Art with her husband, William, said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

Long, who received the keys earlier this month, expects to open the shop by the end of May.

April 29, 2026

Sun Bear Specialty Coffee Roasters to open cafe and roastery in the Grand Central District this summer

April 29, 2026/ Veronica Brezina

Local coffee company Sun Bear Specialty Coffee Roasters is preparing to move into its first standalone café and production space in the Grand Central District.

For the past two years, Sun Bear has operated out of Sans Market, a zero-waste store at 1037 Central Avenue in the EDGE District.

That setup helped owner Kenny Beers build a loyal following, but space constraints have limited what he could offer.

This summer, Sun Bear will relocate to a larger, permanent storefront and roasting facility at 1942 1st Avenue South, next to Pinellas Ale Works.

The 2,650-square-foot building was previously home to Adieu-glu, a gluten-free bakery.