'St. Pete Store' Opening Soon

The City of St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce are joining forces to enter the retail industry.

The two announced plans to open a city-themed gift store at the chamber’s downtown office, 100 Second Ave. N. The store will be part of the city’s newly enlarged visitors’ center, across from Sundial and near Beach Drive restaurants.

The store is meant to target tourists who visit downtown events, restaurants, museums and other attractions. The consignment concept will feature merchandise that is made locally and reflects “the city’s diverse arts and makers community,” an email to media announcing the store stated.

“Demand is at an all-time high for merchandise and gifts that reflect our great community,” Mayor Rick Kriseman was quoted in the email as saying.

The city awarded the chamber a $10,000 arts grant to launch the venture.

The chamber is now seeking local artists and vendors to display their clothing items, jewelry, home decor items and artwork in the location. Those interested should visit at stpete.com/stpetestore online for more details.

“The new St. Petersburg Visitor’s Center will be the premier destination to showcase our great city,” Chamber President and CEO Chris Steinocher was quoted as saying. “The new St. Pete Store will be a one-stop shop for all gifts, souvenirs, and locally made goods that will allow our guests to bring a piece of the Sunshine
City home with them.”

The store is slated to open in early October, but no official date has been announced.

Any proceeds above and beyond overhead costs will be used to market the store to a broader audience and for other chamber tourism-related projects, said Kristian Alspaw, the chamber’s visitors experience manager. The city also co-leads many of the chamber’s tourism initiatives, she pointed out.

A meeting for artists interested in displaying items in the new store is planned for some time next week. A firm date and location have not yet been announced.

Photo from the St. Petersburg Facebook page