Photo by: Jared Cordova
It seems like each time we take a stroll through downtown there are new restaurants and galleries opening and more apartment complexes and condo towers being built. We realize it’s difficult to keep track of everything. Luckily, we’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. Each month we will feature a few of the most exciting new downtown developments that are on the horizon for the Sunshine City.
Datz, one of the most popular restaurants in Tampa, has decided to cross the pond and open a location in Downtown St. Pete. With their crazy comfort food in tow, Datz will debut inside the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art, currently under construction at 180 Central Avenue. The 7,700 square foot restaurant will seat 150 hungry patrons inside and another 100 outside. Owners Suzanne and Roger Perry have also teamed up with celebrity chef and Food Network regular Ray Lampe to open up Dr. BBQ’s in St. Pete’s EDGE District this fall.
Try Wine, a self-serve wine bar, has relocated to the corner of Central Avenue and First Street South in the NW Corner of Bayfront Tower. The locally-owned wine bar features 88 wines on tap and a retail store with over 600 wines to choose from. The new location boasts a larger space, allowing room for an expanded food menu. Additionally, Try Wine is now the first retailer in Florida to start selling delectable artisan chocolates by the renowned fine dining chef turned master chocolatier, Christopher Elbow.
A St. Pete Beach favorite for breakfast and lunch, The Frog Pond Restaurant, opened in Downtown St. Pete this month. Famous for their amazing eggs benedict, gigantic omelettes and delicious belgian waffles, The Frog Pond offers a refreshingly affordable menu that is sure to have something for everyone. Hop into their new location at 890 3rd Avenue South, inside Webb’s Plaza. Frog Pond is open from 7am-2pm, Monday through Saturday and 8am- 2pm on Sunday.
ArtsXchange, featured in the May issue of Green Bench Monthly, is celebrating their grand opening on October 26th. As a way to combat rising rent, The Warehouse Arts District Association spearheaded efforts to build affordable gallery space for local artists. Over 2,500 square feet of gallery, education, and event space will support 24 artists in disciplines ranging from painting, photography, journalism, jewelry making, sculpture and more! And this is just the first phase! Future plans may involve the construction of a performance space, a recording studio, and possibly a restaurant and/or brewery. ArtsXchange is located at 515 22nd Street South.
The Woodhouse Day Spa will be joining Datz at the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art. Occupying nearing 6,000 square feet along 1st Street South, the upscale spa will offer a wide range of services such as skin care, waxings, massage therapy, sleep treatments, as well as their signature manicure and pedicures. Woodhouse is expected to open this Spring.
Parking in Downtown St. Pete is about to get a little easier. City Council has approved plans to bring Parker, a mobile app, to the Sunshine City. On-street sensors will alert drivers when parking spaces are available, hopefully cutting down on the amount of time drivers spend trying to find parking. The company behind the new app, Streetline, will begin installing the sensors in the next 2-3 months. The city estimates that drivers will be able to start using the service in about 6 months.
St. Pete Rising is an urban development blog covering future retail, restaurants, and real estate in Downtown St. Petersburg, FL. Stay upto-date, visit StPeteRising.com.
