Downtown Developments by St. Pete Rising

Halloween on Central is happening Sunday, October 31st 22 blocks of Central Ave will be closed to traffic

Black Radish Grocer is coming soon to 246 Dr. M.L.K. Jr. St N. next to Coney Island Sandwich Shop

Downtown Developments

By Brian Zucker, Owner of St. Pete Rising

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.

This Halloween, 22 blocks of Central Avenue, Dr. MLK Jr. Street to 31st Street, will close to car traffic. The event, Halloween on Central, will showcase a vision for what a car-free Central Avenue could look like for locals, businesses, and visitors to enjoy. There will be fun Halloweenthemed activities fit for the whole family, such as trick-or-treating, costume contests, entertainment, local business vendors, and more. Pets are welcome, too. The event takes place on Sunday, October 31st from 12pm to 5pm.

Moffitt Cancer Center and UPC Insurance have submitted an offer to the City of St. Pete to purchase a 4.59-acre site at 800 2nd Avenue South in downtown St. Pete. The group would develop a mixed-use project which would include a cancer care center, a future headquarters building for UPC, a residential building, and a public parking garage. As a result of unsolicited offer, the city must invite additional alternative proposals from private developers, or anyone interested in the lease or purchase of the site. All proposals are due no later than 10am on September 15, 2021.

Black Radish Grocer, an all-vegan market, is coming this fall to 246 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North in downtown St. Pete (in the space next to Coney Island Sandwich Shop). Black Radish will feature over 1,000 different products, ranging from boutique items not available through traditional grocers as well as a large selection of well-known brands. In addition to selling grocery items, Black Radish will have a small deli serving made-to-order meals.

Popular vegan restaurant Cider Press Café will be closing their

Cider Press Vegan Gastropub and Patio Bar is moving to 3118 3rd Ave N

Tagliere Misto, a house specialty at Bonu’ Taverna coming soon to 601 Central Ave (formerly Cide Press Cafe) Gateway Subs coming soon to 3112 3rd Ave N in Historic Kenwood

Central Avenue location and opening the Cider Press Vegan Gastropub and Patio Bar at 3118 3rd Avenue North in Historic Kenwood. For all the Cider Press regulars, don’t worry, many of the popular menu items from Central Avenue will be making the move to Kenwood. Cider Press hopes to open their new location by the end of the year.

Bonu’ Taverna is coming soon to 601 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete, which is currently occupied by The Cider Press Café. Heavily influenced by Sicilian cuisine, the menu will be filled with shareable items, like arancini and tagliere misto, as well as larger plates such as zuppa di pesce and fresh home-made pasta. However, the house specialty will be pinsa. Like pizza, pinsa is thinner and lighter in texture and served in an oval shape. Pinsa also has fewer calories, lower fat, and less sodium than pizza.

Gateway Subs is coming soon to 3112 3rd Avenue North in Historic Kenwood. Keep it simple with the Plain Jane, which is your choice of meat (ham, turkey, or roast beef), provolone, and mayo. Or kick it up a notch by ordering the Spice Mélange, which starts with a heaping pile of sliced buffalo chicken breast paired with hot capicola, and is then topped with mayo, tomato, onion, hot peppers, and banana peppers as well as kettlecooked jalapeño chips. The sub shop will also be roasting their own coffee.

St. Pete Rising is an urban development blog covering future retail, restaurants, and real estate in Downtown St. Petersburg, FL. Stay up-todate, visit StPeteRising.com.