ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Here's the latest St. Petersburg bar and restaurant news:
Popular Bagel Company Moving Grand Central Shop To Bigger Location
Pete's Bagels is moving its Grand Central District shop to a larger location just a few blocks away.
The shop will move from 2361 Central Ave. to 1900 1st Ave. S., the former home of Good Intentions, a vegan restaurant that closed this summer, Pete's said in a Sunday social media post.
The new location is expected to open in early October, with a soft opening planned soon.
The move will give Pete's more room to expand its operations and create additional space for customers, the business said.
"We love our building at 2361 (and have had so many memories there over the last 6 years); however, the building itself has structural damage, and we have been straining to grow in it," Pete's said.
Food Delivery Robots Considered By St. Pete Officials: Reports
Food delivery robots, similar to those frequently seen in major cities like Atlanta, Miami and Los Angeles, could be coming to St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg City Council voted unanimously on Thursday to explore the possibility of bringing autonomous food delivery services to the city, according to multiple reports.
The discussion was centered on bringing these delivery services to "areas with a strong concentration of restaurants and cafes, in addition to areas with limited and restricted parking," according to the new business item on the matter submitted by council member Deborah Figgs- Sanders for Thursday's meeting agenda.
Sourdough Co. Moving into 11,000-Square-Foot Space
The Edge District's Sourdough Co. has outgrown its location at 1113 Central Ave. and is moving into new digs.
The new bakery and cafe has signed a lease from the historic Union Trust Bank building at 895 Central Ave., just blocks from its current space, according to a social media post.
The new space boasts nearly 11,000 square feet across three floors, including a mezzanine and full basement, the company said in its post.
The building dates back to 1926, and has been empty for nearly 30 years, since the former bank closed in 1996.
"We have the honor of bringing this building back to life while protecting what makes it so special. We're preserving its beautiful windows, original brick and massive bank vault with deep respect for its history," the Sourdough Co. said. "And we have SO much planned. This new location will finally give us room to show you just how many wonderful things sourdough can make. More room to bake. More room to create. More room for our team, our community and the ideas we've dreamed about since the beginning."
The current cafe will remain open throughout construction. No timeline or opening date was provided.
Carupano Kitchen to Open Restaurant On 4th Street
Foodie Labs eatery Carúpano Kitchen plans to open its own brick-and-mortar restaurant this fall.
The Venezuelan food concept is moving into a space at 1040 4th Street North, previously home to Urban Canning Company, with plans to open by mid-November, according to a social media post.
Owner Andrea Osorio, born and raised in Caracas, moved to the United States 15 years ago as part of a high-school student exchange program that brought her to Ohio.
"We came to the U.S., like many immigrants, for a better life," she previously told Patch. "Now, here I am with my own business."
She remained in the U.S. to attend the University of Toledo, and went on to enjoy a lucrative 12-year career in software sales.
She moved around the country — North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and Miami — before Osorio and her wife landed in St. Petersburg, drawn to the city's welcoming community and queer culture.
She loved working in sales because it allowed her to build relationships and help people solve problems. But as she climbed the corporate ladder, the work became less about personal connection.
"I was so high up in these complex sales that I wasn't really connecting with people anymore," she said. "It was just really large contracts and a lot of procurement and general counsel, and a lot of stuff like that that now lives in my nightmares. Towards the end, it just wasn't enjoyable anymore, and they did me the favor of letting me go."
She always loved cooking for loved ones and had long dreamed of launching a food business with her mother. She took a three-month breather after leaving the corporate world, and in November they launched Carupano Kitchen.
"My mom and I decided to go all in, and it's been the best thing that's ever happened," Osorio said.
Their Venezuelan roots are at the heart of the business, which is named for her mother's coastal hometown. The menu, known for its arepas, is inspired by family recipes.
Edge District Sandwich Shop Closes After 12 Years
The Edge District sandwich shop Brooklyn South, located at 1437 Central Ave., has closed for good after 12 years in business.
Owner Karen Kramer told St. Pete Rising that they "just couldn't keep up with rising costs."
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