Perhaps Zaytoon Grill owner Waleed Khalil said it best: The 1600 block of Central Avenue has often felt like the “forgotten block.” It’s in the Grand Central District, but at times it has seemed a bit left out of the party. Maybe it’s because it is the very last west-of-the underpass block of the more than 15 blocks that make up Grand Central. Or maybe it’s because our attention has been grabbed by glitzier renovations. Forgotten or not, over the past few years the 1600 Block has been undergoing a quiet but steady renaissance of its own.
A Block is Reborn
The rebirth of the 1600 block of Central Avenue gave us seven businesses that, in many ways, represent the St. Pete vibe we so often celebrate, from places to enjoy good food and wine to venues to explore wellness and beauty. As 2019 began, these locally owned and operated business ventures included Tabatha Exquisite Touch Salon (2010), Peace of Mind Smoke Shop (2012), St. Pete Community Acupuncture (2012), Leafy Greens Café (2013), Zaytoon Grill (2015), Winesmith (2015), and Central Avenue Vapors (2016). But 2019 also brought an end to the quiet, locally owned renaissance of the block. Several simultaneous large-scale construction projects broke ground, and while many people may eagerly anticipate these new developments, the construction has been a disaster for the existing local shops.
Access Challenges
Customer parking can be a challenge for any business on Central Avenue, but the construction has narrowed the street on the 1600 block and drastically reduced the number of available parking spots. As snowbirds and tourists filled the city in the early months of 2019, Denise Becknell, manager of Leafy Greens Cafe Photos by Brian Brakebill seven local businesses (plus a newly opened bank) vied for the seven remaining public spots. These challenges are amplified for anyone with mobility issues, as only one handicapped spot is available. Customers and potential customers regularly share their frustrations with the block’s various business owners regarding their inability to find a spot.
In addition, the construction has inhibited one of the most wonderful aspects of having a business on Central Avenue: the sheer volume of walking traffic. This traffic is vital to success. A windowshopping tourist can turn into a buyer, and a strolling local can become a new regular. But the current reality has significantly reduced the number of people just strolling by because they aren’t sure whether the block is open to foot traffic. (It is!) Nearly all of the businesses report that casual walk-ins have virtually disappeared.
Consequences
These challenges have translated into the loss of customers for all the businesses. For example, St. Pete Acupuncture has been operating in the 1600 Block for seven years (and in the Grand Central District for a total of 10), but it is dealing with a new challenge. Appointment bookings have dropped because of parking issues. As one client noted, “it’s crazy.” Owner of Tabatha Exquisite Touch Salon, Consuelo Mackey, shared her heartbreak over losing numerous longtime customers and employees because of the parking situation. And, sadly, Todd C. Smith, St. Pete native and owneroperator of Winesmith, closed the doors of his wine shop and bar in April, just shy of its fourth anniversary, because of the loss of business. As of this writing, the others are hanging on, but if they are going to survive they need our help.
Supporting Local Business
So what can we do? We can remind ourselves and others about the “forgotten block” and support them with our dollars. Hungry? Visit the Zaytoon Grill or Leafy Greens Café. Opening the Zaytoon Grill was a lifelong dream for local couple Waleed and Mary Khalelm and they’d love for you to try their middle-eastern foods. Or maybe you’re looking for something vegan. Long-time resident Denise Becknell has been serving up vegan deliciousness for 11 years, six of them in the 1600 block. Rumor has it that Leafy Greens is the “longest-running female-run business on Central Avenue,” so stop in and support good food and female empowerment!
Beyond food, you can also find beautiful and functional glassblown art and so much more at locally owned Peace of Mind Smoke Shop. It also has lots of fun non-smoke-related merchandise, so check it out! Its funky and peaceful vibe is sure to be a winner. If you’re looking for a full-service vapor shop with a focus on helping people kick their smoking habit then visit Central Avenue Vapers. This bright and spacious shop offers a wide range of non-thc products and vaping hardware, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
Looking for acupuncture? For a decade, St. Pete Community Acupuncture has offered treatments on a sliding scale. Separating money and treatment means that clients are better able to decide whether treatment is a useful component in their health journeys. Do you need some hair care? Consuelo Mackey at Tabatha Exquisite Touch Salon has been in the St. Pete salon business for 20 years and helped jump-start the block’s rebirth when she relocated there in August 2010. Hers also is one of the few minority-owned businesses on Central Avenue, so visit the salon, look good, and support black female empowerment!
But what about those access issues?
Central Avenue Vapors and Tabatha’s Salon each have five spaces behind their shops. But Zaytoon, Leafy Greens, Peace of Mind, and St. Pete Acupuncture have limited rear parking. So, yes, with only seven public parking spots, access is an issue but it doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. Central Avenue sidewalks are designed to be strolled on. So, for those of us who are able, save the close spots for people who really need them and park a little further away. If you park in the Edge District or on First Avenue S, then you can visit the 1600 block without even crossing into the construction. Or if you’re in the Grand Central District walking west, then don’t stop at 17th Street. Take the covered construction walkway (a nice shade break this summer) and pop out on the 1600 block. If you don’t feel up to a walk, then you could use of one of St. Pete’s greatest inexpensive resources: the Central Avenue Trolley. Park anywhere on or near Central Avenue and hop on the CAT for only 50 cents. Or save the 50 cents and lower your carbon footprint by riding your bike!
parking farther away, riding the trolley, or hopping on your bike! Photo by Brian Brakebill.
Remember the 1600 Block!
Change is going to keep on coming, and that’s not all bad, but if we don’t remember to support the local shops that came first we run the risk of losing that vibe we love so much! So take that extra step to support our local businesses. Help Keep St. Petersburg Local!
