Blockbuster-Themed Bar, Dr. BBQ, Fortu: Restaurant News

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Here's the latest restaurant and bar news in the St. Petersburg area.

Dr. BBQ Building Sold to South Florida Investor

A South Florida developer has bought the Edge District property that Dr. BBQ currently calls home, for $4.5 million.

PTM Partners purchased the 7,935-square-foot building earlier this month, according to Tampa Bay Business Journal. It was previously owned by the owners of Datz Restaurant Group.

The developer is already invested in the Edge District, where it’s building a mixed-use project that is anchored by Moxy Hotel from Marriott International Inc.

Dr. BBQ will continue to operate from the space, St. Pete Catalyst reported.

Blockbuster-Themed Bar Opening in Pinellas Park

Cinephiles will love a Blockbuster-themed bar that’s opening in Pinellas Park. Beerbusters Movie Bar plans to open Thursday at 6836 N. Park Blvd., I Love the Burg reported.

Its Facebook page describes Beerbusters as “a craft beer movie bar. A nostalgic place where you can rent movies and try a new beer or have an old favorite.”

The bar has more than 1,000 DVDs and VHS tapes on display and will feature movie nights, video games and board games.

The Pearl Restaurant Moving to Gulfport

The Pearl Restaurant announced its “next chapter” on its Facebook page. The restaurant will shut its doors for good Saturday at its longtime Treasure Island location and plans to reopen in Gulfport at 5802 28th Ave. S. in October.

“We have had 24 wonderful years in Treasure Island and would like to thank the community, the police department, the fire department and city hall for their support, and are very excited to meet new people in our new community,” the restaurant wrote. “We hope to see you all very soon.”

All gift certificates issued from 2020 to 2022 will be honored at the new location.

Kahwa Coffee to Open Café Made of Shipping Containers

Kahwa Coffee’s newest location will have a much different look when it opens – it’s made entirely of repurposed shipping containers, according to I Love the Burg. The café at 6623 4th Street N. is expected to open by Christmas.

Pan-Asian Steakhouse to Take Over Former Ceviche Space

A new pan-Asian steakhouse will open in the former Ceviche space at 95 Central Ave., according to St. Pete Rising.

Fortu, a concept from Shan Bakrac’s Benson Hospitality Group, will move into the first floor of the historic Ponce de Leon Hotel.

The restaurant will create pan-Asian menu items, both small dishes and main entrees, using locally sourced ingredients, and a various steak cuts including American, Australian and Japanese.